GE Aerospace Programme Management - 12 Month Placement

Job Description Summary

In the 12- month Programme Management Placement, the successful candidate will join our Customer Programmes team which supports civil and military customers of our propeller systems for airborne and amphibious applications.

Job Description

About GE Aerospace

Are you ready to see your future take flight? At GE Aerospace, we are advancing aviation technologies for today and tomorrow. Your work will contribute to the production of advanced jet engines, components, and integrated systems that power commercial and military aircraft. You’ll be part of a team that embraces your drive, your curiosity, and your unique ideas and perspectives. Most importantly, you’ll share in our pride and purpose that affects the lives of millions around the world!

Roles and Responsibilities

In the 12-month Programme Management Placement offers diverse roles within the function, with responsibilities tailored to the specific needs of different teams. While all roles focus on program management, customer support, and operational efficiency, tasks will vary based on team priorities and projects.

Responsibilities may include:

• Coordinating customer requests such as RFQs and purchase orders, ensuring deadlines are met through collaboration with supply chain and engineering teams, preparing customer order books, facilitating client calls, and ensuring high satisfaction and timely delivery.

• Support Program Management Reviews (PMRs) by managing calendars, preparing agendas, and tracking actions.

• Leading process improvement projects to enhance operational efficiency, implementing Lean principles, and analysing operational data to create performance metrics that drive team focus on strategic priorities.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect of the role, working closely with Operations, Sourcing, Engineering, and Quality teams to meet customer and business objectives. Some teams may focus on facilities and maintenance, including asset reviews, day-to-day operations, contractor control, and long-term projects to support stakeholders.

We have opportunities within:

• Field Services (Dowty) - managing internal metrics, financials, materials, pricing models, and logistics, with broad exposure to satellite sites and international field locations. The role involves tracking KPIs (such as turnaround times, schedule adherence, utilisation, and cost performance), maintaining dashboards and reports, and supporting root cause analysis of performance issues. You will assist with financial tracking (revenue, costs, margins), support pricing model updates, help manage materials data, and contribute to cost analysis for continuous improvement. On the operational side, you will coordinate logistics information, support planning for field activities, and maintain documentation so stakeholders stay informed. The role requires close collaboration with Programmes, Finance, Operations, and Logistics, including supporting cross-functional reviews and small improvement projects in reporting, data quality, and process flow. The placement offers end-to-end exposure to field service operations, practical experience in metrics, financial and logistics coordination, and development of professional communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

• Facilitates & Maintenance Projects (Caledonian) - learning maintenance management and continuous improvement in a business operations environment, covering preventive and reactive maintenance, preventive maintenance planning, compliance, sustainability projects, and environmental monitoring and gap analysis. Monitoring performance metrics, identifying improvement opportunities and developing project management skills through small- to medium-scale projects. The role requires adapting to different people and environments daily, understanding departmental challenges to set maintenance priorities, communicating with various stakeholders and responding to critical needs, and learning from experienced staff to improve existing processes and work-scopes. Also working with suppliers and contractors during preventive maintenance to ensure high safety standards, gain exposure to shift supervision and maintenance management, and collaborate with internal and external resources on sustainment and environmental improvement projects.

• Military Platforms (Cheltenham) - broad range of program management, customer support, order management, and cross-functional business improvement activities within a military-focused organisation. The role is designed to give the intern practical experience in managing internal special projects, supporting customer engagement, and becoming familiar with program management practices, procedures, internal systems, and standard work. The placement will work closely with stakeholders, customers, and colleagues across multiple functions, while contributing to business-focused projects, driving actions to closure, presenting findings and recommendations, and developing communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• BizJet Portfolio (Cheltenham) - you will gain exposure to the complete program and product lifecycle, from new product introduction through to repair and overhaul services. The programs team you will join is a dynamic and growing portfolio, offering a strong opportunity to contribute to day‑to‑day program activities and develop core program management skills. Key activities include reviewing customer purchase orders and supporting the Program Team in managing the product orderbook, ensuring alignment between customer portals and internal order management systems. You will support sales and operational review meetings through orderbook management and engagement with key stakeholders involved in demand changes. You will help with obsolescence management by developing regular reviews with key functions, monitoring stock run‑out dates, and improving communication with other programs where obsolescence risk is shared. You will act as a “voice of the customer”, supporting communication between internal teams and the customer, engaging with customers to help secure invoice payment in support of cash targets, and helping to organise and support program review meetings with customers.

• OE Value Stream Programs (Dowty) - focuses on planning, coordinating, and delivering manufactured spare parts to ensure reliable aftermarket support. The role owns the integrated production and delivery plan for defined part families, aligning production and materials with customer demand and business priorities, and applying a structured operating model to meet Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost objectives. Working cross‑functionally with materials planning, manufacturing, quality, sourcing, logistics, and customer‑facing teams, the role manages production schedules, monitors performance, addresses risks and issues, and keeps customers informed through clear, proactive communication on delivery status, changes, and recovery plans. It combines operational planning, data‑driven performance management, and customer relationship management to improve delivery reliability and overall supply chain effectiveness.

• Programme Management Office (Cheltenham) - supporting the successful delivery of complex projects from early bid and concept stages through to closure. The PMO Project Controller is responsible for managing budgets and schedules using standardised tools, maintaining integrated project plans, and providing analysis to identify and mitigate cost and schedule risks. The role serves as a key point of contact for project management tools and practices, coaching project and technical leaders and performing earned value analysis to support informed decision-making. It also supports structured change and risk management processes, including preparing change documentation, participating in risk and opportunity reviews, and ensuring decisions are clearly recorded. In addition, the PMO Project Controller contributes to accurate project forecasting and helps coordinate resource plans across multiple teams to ensure projects are appropriately staffed and controlled.

• Programme Management (Cheltenham) - This role offers a strong development opportunity in program management best practices by applying daily management and lean principles across all workstreams of one of our programmes. The individual will be responsible for maintaining robust document control across NPI, production execution and aftermarket, coordinating actions with the integrated program team (IPT) following tollgate reviews and key meetings, and ensuring all program risks and opportunities are captured and managed in the digital thread tool. The role also includes monitoring and reporting touch labour and material performance against targets, identifying opportunities to eliminate non‑value‑added work using lean principles and project management principles. Through these activities, the individual will gain hands-on experience in quality assurance, QMS, risk management, and end-to-end program execution.

You will be guided by structured goals and objectives and will have responsibility to deliver on inspiring projects supported by your People Leader and team around you. We will guide you throughout the year to ensure you make the best of your GE Aerospace experience. Your People Leader will offer coaching and mentoring, and you will be provided with the opportunity to connect with other placement students across the UK.

This opportunity is offered in our Caledonian (Prestwick, Scotland), Cheltenham, and Gloucester (Dowty, a GE Aerospace company) sites, during the process we will ask you to share your location preferences.

GE Aerospace Caledonian is a purpose-built aircraft engine overhaul facility, adjacent to Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. The Caledonian site was officially opened in 1980 and has since grown into a centre of excellence for Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) of CF6 & GEnx engine types. After each overhaul, the engines undergo intensive performance testing on site in our bespoke test cell, before returning to our global customer base ready for service.

Our vastly experienced and innovative workforce are passionate in the contribution towards the training of future engineers, leaders and surrounding talent in our organisation. At GE Caledonian, our Apprentices (Foundation, Modern & Graduate), XLP, OMLP and interns are key members of our team helping achieve the challenges of tomorrow. They continuously develop new skills to keep up with the pace of change in the Aviation Industry and become comfortable working in this ever-challenging environment which thrives on embracing change.

Our diverse team have a strong foothold in the local community, proactively seeking new volunteering opportunities to give back and deliver on our corporate responsibility. We have a dedicated affinity group on site who facilitate opportunities to the wider team, creating an inclusive culture we can all be proud of.

With over 1,700 employees, GE Aerospace based in Cheltenham is one of the largest sites outside the USA and a major contributor to the local economy. 

Our heritage dates back to 1940 yet our technology is cutting-edge. Located in the heart of Gloucestershire, the Power Distribution & Controls (PD&C) site focuses on the design, development and manufacture of state-of-the-art aircraft power distribution and avionics systems for the global aviation industry. Our customers include all major aerospace manufacturers - covering commercial, business jet and military applications. The scale and complexity of engineering projects offer our employees unique opportunities to work on major international projects, developing critical aircraft systems that will be relied on by many people for decades to come.

At GE Aerospace we strive to be an employer of choice by offering internships, apprenticeships, mentoring and staff development programmes that create a workplace where everyone can be themselves and achieve their full potential.

Innovation, a commitment to engineering excellence and leadership development places GE Aerospace based in Cheltenham as a pioneering force in building the future of flight. 

Dowty, a GE Aerospace company, is based in Gloucestershire. It is a world-leading supplier of electronically controlled, composite propeller systems for A wide range of civil and military applications, including commercial airliners and military airlifters to multi-role seaplanes and marine hovercraft.

Key programs include the Lockheed Martin C-130J, the De-Haviland, Dash 8-400 and the Leonardo C-27J.

Operated by a highly skilled workforce, Dowty’s’ in-house production expertise for composite blades includes application of resin transfer moulding processes, which have been continuously evolved and perfected since 1976; and the use of braiding machines that rapidly and accurately apply the blades’ fibre outer layers.

If you are passionate about Programme Management, we would like to hear from you.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Currently studying a Business Administration/ Project Management/ Finance/ Data/ Engineering or Program Management related Bachelor’s or integrated Master’s degree

• On course to achieve a 2:1 degree or above

• To be in your penultimate year of study and returning to education post placement

Desired Characteristics

• Able to roll up your sleeves and get involved in projects

• Organised & able to work towards deadlines

• Inspired and curious to learn

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Able to take ownership for projects

• Analytical and problem-solving skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office

• Able to work as part of a team

A placement at GE Aerospace is an opportunity to learn while doing. At GE Aerospace, you’ll work with business leaders in an atmosphere that will develop you, while doing work that makes an immediate impact.

Total Reward 

At GE Aerospace we understand the importance of Total Reward. Our flexible benefits plan, called FlexChoice, gives you freedom, choice, and flexibility in the way you receive your benefits, as well as giving you the opportunity to make savings where possible.

As a new joiner to GE, we are pleased to be able to offer you the following as default in your benefit fund, which you then can tailor to meet your individual needs.

• Non-contributory Pension

• Life Assurance

• Group income protection

• Private medical cover

• Holiday Hourly equivalent of 26 days, with flexible options to buy or sell

Recruitment Process

As part of our recruitment process, you will be required to submit an initial CV application. After this, the stages include a video interview, testing and MS Teams online interview. Our recruitment team will be in touch with you at every stage to keep you updated and understand what is next in the process.

If you require any adjustments to the process to enable you to be at your best, please email the team via UKEarly.Careers@geaerospace.com.

Please note our applications will close on Saturday 31st October but may close earlier dependant on application volumes. We would encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please only submit one application. If you submit multiple applications, we will progress the most suitable one. If in future you are deemed to be suitable for other opportunities, we will automatically consider you for these too.

Security Clearance

Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained for this role. Please note that in the event that BPSS clearance cannot be obtained, you may not be eligible for the role and/or any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security. Please see the link below for further details regarding the requirements for BPSS clearance: BPSS.

Right to Work 

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, under the applicable UK immigration rules as may be in place from time to time, it may be that candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled candidate who does not require sponsorship is available to take up the post.

Further, sponsorship is not available for our Early Careers opportunities. Our placement roles are pipeline for our graduate roles so you would need the permanent right to work to be eligible. For further information please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Whether we are manufacturing components for our engines, driving innovation in fuel and noise reduction, or unlocking new opportunities to grow and deliver more productivity, our GE Aerospace teams are dedicated and making a global impact. Join us and help move the aerospace industry forward.

Additional Information

Relocation Assistance Provided: No