Engineering recruitment in Wales

The engineering market in Wales

Airbus at Broughton in Flintshire is one of the most significant aerospace manufacturing sites in the UK. The factory builds the wings for every A320-family and A350 aircraft produced by Airbus globally, employing structural, manufacturing, quality, and production engineering professionals in large numbers. The site has an extensive supply chain across North Wales and the North West of England, and its programmes are long-running enough to provide career stability that is rarer in the aerospace sector.

GE Aviation's Nantgarw facility near Cardiff manufactures components for civil and military jet engines, creating demand for manufacturing, materials, and quality engineers. SPTS Technologies in Newport develops semiconductor wafer processing equipment and employs mechanical and electronic engineers on technically demanding capital equipment programmes. Tata Steel's Port Talbot site, despite the well-publicised transition challenges, remains one of Wales's largest employers of metallurgical, process, and mechanical engineers.

Toyota's Deeside engine plant in North Wales runs a precision manufacturing operation producing engines for Auris and Corolla models, requiring process, quality, and manufacturing engineering professionals. Cardiff is developing a growing base of engineering consultancy and professional services. The Welsh government's investment in green infrastructure, including tidal energy development in the Severn Estuary, is beginning to create new electrical and civil engineering demand.

Salary benchmarks

Engineering salaries in Wales sit 5 to 8 per cent below the UK average, with Airbus Broughton roles being the notable exception as they benchmark against the wider Airbus group compensation structure. Mid-level manufacturing and quality engineers at Airbus and its supply chain typically earn £40,000 to £56,000. GE Aviation and Toyota roles sit at £38,000 to £52,000 at mid-level. Cardiff consultancy and energy roles are closing the gap with UK averages as demand grows.

Roles we fill in Wales