Salaries And Costs
Pay in Shropshire’s defence scene reflects clearance level, scarcity, and project deadlines, with SC engineers often at £40,000 to £60,000, senior systems or safety specialists reaching £65,000 to £80,000, and programme or project managers sitting near £55,000 to £75,000. Skilled manufacturing staff in armoured vehicle and avionics supply chains can earn £15 to £22 per hour, with welders, CNC machinists, and NDT inspectors trending toward the upper end on rush work. Contractors with active SC or DV clearances can command £350 to £700 per day, with niche cyber or mission systems expertise above this on short engagements. Recruitment fees for permanent hires usually fall in the 15 percent to 25 percent range, temp margins vary by sector and volume, and agency costs are often lower with exclusive or multi hire agreements. Local employers use recruitment agencies to hire staff quickly, and candidates gain pay transparency, interview prep, and access to projects that are not on public boards.
Qualifications, Clearances, And Compliance
Most defence recruiters and staffing agencies in the county will ask about active or lapsed SC or DV status, Right to Work, and references, with Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks common for site access. Engineering roles often look for HNC or degree level study in mechanical, electrical, systems, or software, with IPC or soldering certs, EASA Part 66 exposure, or CompEx adding weight in specific shops. Project and quality teams often ask for APMP or PRINCE2, AS9100 familiarity, PPAP, FAIR, and DFMEA, with IOSH or NEBOSH helping on high risk sites. Security and armourers may need SIA licences or armoury experience, and many roles request clean driving records for multi site duties. Executive search teams in this space vet clearances discreetly with clients, and recruitment consultants will advise when a role supports sponsorship or a later move from BPSS to SC.
Local Hiring Challenges
The labour market is tight for DV cleared systems engineers, safety engineers, cryptography specialists, and mission avionics, and the commute to Wolverhampton or Birmingham pulls experienced talent out of the county. Retention can dip on long programmes when candidates seek broader tech stacks or faster progression, so businesses work with employment firms that can map pay rates, set realistic recruitment fees, and plan bench cover. Temp agencies help plug ramp ups around trials and refit windows, with contract work smoothing headcount spikes, though accommodation near major sites can be a pinch point during large upgrades.
Regional And Geographic Notes
Shropshire’s defence footprint clusters around Telford and Shrewsbury, with strong links to RAF Cosford and the Donnington logistics hub, and supply chain firms spread across Hortonwood, Halesfield, Stafford Park, and the Battlefield Enterprise Park. The M54, A5, and A49 keep routes open toward the West Midlands and North West, and rail links draw candidates from Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury on standard shifts. Recruiters know these commuter links and set interviews around traffic flows, shift changes, and base access windows to keep processes smooth for local employers and jobseekers.
Key Sectors And Employers In The Region
Agencies place cleared staff into land systems manufacture and upgrade, air support and avionics repair, logistics and warehousing for defence equipment, cyber and information assurance, and training and simulation. Many businesses in Telford feed armoured vehicle programmes, with precision machining, fabrication, hydraulic systems, and harness build all in demand. Warehousing and spares operations at Donnington call for reliable storekeepers, MHE drivers, inventory controllers, and supervisors with SAP or WMS skills, and training roles near Cosford draw instructors and technicians with military experience.
Common Roles Agencies Recruit For
Recruitment agencies working in defence in Shropshire handle mechanical design engineers, systems and safety engineers, software developers with C or Ada, quality engineers and inspectors, NDT technicians, project managers and PMO, supply chain and buyers, stores staff and warehouse leads, vehicle fitters, electricians, and test technicians. Executive search teams focus on heads of engineering, operations leaders, site directors, and senior cyber managers. Temp agencies backfill production planners and document controllers on fixed terms, with contract work covering surge builds and trials.
Seasonal Trends And Project Timelines
Hiring often rises in Q2 and Q3 with budget releases and programme gates, with production peaks near acceptance tests and field trials. Training and graduate intakes land after summer assessments, and warehouse operations lift ahead of year end stock checks. Many businesses use recruitment consultants to lock in notice periods early, keeping handovers clean and reducing overtime costs in peak months.
Entry Requirements And Career Paths
For candidates, an apprenticeship in machining, electrical, or composites opens doors to defence grades with clear steps into team lead or inspector roles. Engineering graduates can step into design, systems, or integration, and with chartership and safety exposure move into senior posts. Ex forces jobseekers with avionics, logistics, or vehicle maintenance experience are highly valued, with fast progression to supervisor and training roles once civilian certs are squared away. Agencies and employment firms often help candidates register with an agency portal, share clearance guidance, and prepare for interviews that focus on safety, configuration control, and export control awareness.
Hard To Fill Positions
Systems safety with DO standards, IVVQ leads for complex platforms, RF and EW engineers, crypto specialists, and DV cleared software testers remain the toughest covers, and recruitment agencies lean on passive networks and discreet referrals to find employees who can start quickly. Pay rates and retention improve when businesses give real tech depth, clear progression paths, and realistic on call expectations.
Quick Facts And FAQs
Do I need active SC to apply for defence roles in Shropshire?
Many clients can sponsor SC for strong applicants, DV roles usually require active status at offer.
What recruitment fees should we budget for permanent hires?
Most agencies quote 15 percent to 25 percent of basic salary, volume or exclusive terms can reduce agency costs.
Can temp agencies supply cleared contractors at short notice?
Yes, many hold ready to start candidates, though DV contractor lead times are longer.
What contract lengths are common in the county?
Three to six month extensions are typical on programme work, longer on production or test campaigns.
How do local employers speed up hiring without lifting risk?
Agree a short interview path, book site tours early, and share pay bands upfront with your recruitment consultants.