Aerospace Manufacturing in the South West: A Thriving Sector
The South West of England is one of the most important aerospace manufacturing regions in Europe. With over 25,000 people employed in aerospace across the region, it offers some of the best-paid and most interesting manufacturing jobs in the UK.
Why the South West?
The region's aerospace heritage stretches back over a century. The Bristol area in particular has been at the heart of British aviation since the early 1900s. Today, the cluster effect means that major companies, suppliers, and training providers are all concentrated within commuting distance.
Major Employers
- Airbus — Filton, Bristol. Wing design and assembly for the entire Airbus range
- Rolls-Royce — Bristol (Patchway). Defence aerospace engines and power systems
- GKN Aerospace — Filton. Aerostructures, engine components, and transparencies
- Leonardo — Yeovil. Helicopters — design, manufacture, and support
- Safran Landing Systems — Gloucester. Aircraft landing gear
- Collins Aerospace — Multiple South West sites. Avionics and aircraft systems
- Numerous Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers producing components, sub-assemblies, and specialist parts
Types of Roles Available
Aerospace manufacturing offers a range of positions from entry-level to highly specialist:
- Production operatives — basic assembly work, deburring, cleaning, and preparation
- Composite technicians — laying up carbon fibre and other composite materials for aircraft structures
- CNC machinists — programming and operating precision machine tools to produce metal components
- Electrical assembly — wiring harnesses, avionics boxes, and control systems
- Inspection and quality — non-destructive testing (NDT), dimensional inspection, and first article inspection
- Process engineers — developing and improving manufacturing methods
Getting Into Aerospace
Breaking into aerospace manufacturing from other sectors is achievable:
- Transfer existing skills — if you have CNC, welding, electrical, or composite experience from other industries, many skills transfer directly
- Entry-level positions — production operative roles often require no aerospace experience. Training is provided on the job
- Apprenticeships — available for all ages, not just school leavers. Some employers offer adult apprenticeships for career changers
- Agency work — many aerospace companies use agencies like TRS Recruit to fill temporary positions, which often convert to permanent roles
- SC clearance — many defence aerospace roles require security clearance. Being a UK national with a clean record makes this straightforward
Pay in Aerospace Manufacturing
Aerospace manufacturing typically pays 15-30% more than equivalent roles in other sectors:
- Production operatives: £12.50-£15.00/hour
- Skilled technicians (composite, CNC, electrical): £15.00-£22.00/hour
- Inspection and quality: £14.00-£20.00/hour
- Permanent salaries range from £24,000 for entry-level to £45,000+ for experienced specialist roles
TRS Recruit has strong relationships with aerospace manufacturers across the South West. Contact our Bristol branch to discuss aerospace opportunities.