Hiring and Sponsoring Aerospace engineers (SOC Code 2126)

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Hiring an aerospace engineer from overseas is achievable for UK employers who hold a valid sponsor licence. Aerospace engineers fall under Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code 2126 and are eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. This guide covers everything you need to know about the role, the visa requirements, and how to manage sponsorship compliantly.

For related support, explore Annaizu’s sponsorship compliance software, mock audit inspection readiness and mock audit preparation.

For 2026 checks, cross-check the latest GOV.UK immigration skills charge before making sponsorship or visa decisions.

Key Takeaways

Essential Points for Employers

• Aerospace engineers sit under SOC code 2126 and are eligible for the Skilled Worker visa route.
• Employers must hold a sponsor licence and assign a Certificate of Sponsorship before the worker can apply.
• The role meets the skills and salary thresholds required for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
• Ongoing compliance obligations apply throughout the worker's employment.

What Is SOC Code 2126?

SOC code 2126 covers aerospace engineers. These professionals design, develop, test, and inspect aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and related systems and components. They work across both civil and defence aerospace sectors, ensuring that products meet rigorous safety and regulatory standards.

Typical Job Titles Under SOC 2126

• Aerospace Engineer
• Aeronautical Engineer
• Avionics Engineer
• Aircraft Design Engineer
• Spacecraft Systems Engineer
• Flight Systems Engineer
• Propulsion Engineer
• Structural Engineer (Aerospace)

What Aerospace Engineers Do

• Design and develop aircraft, spacecraft, and aerospace systems
• Conduct structural, aerodynamic, and thermal analysis
• Test prototypes and systems to verify performance and safety
• Ensure designs comply with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations
• Investigate faults and failures and recommend corrective action
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality assurance, and project management teams
• Produce technical documentation, reports, and specifications

Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility for SOC 2126

Aerospace engineers under SOC 2126 qualify for the Skilled Worker visa. To sponsor a worker in this role, both the employer and the candidate must meet specific requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Skill Level Requirement

SOC 2126 is classified at RQF Level 6 and above, which corresponds to degree-level qualifications. This meets the skills threshold for the Skilled Worker route.

Salary Threshold

As of April 2024, the general salary threshold for Skilled Worker sponsorship is £41,700 per year or the going rate for the specific occupation, whichever is higher. For SOC 2126, employers should verify the current going rate on the official government occupation codes list and ensure the offered salary meets or exceeds it.

Points-Based Criteria

• Valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed sponsor
• Job meets the required skill level (RQF Level 6+)
• Salary meets the applicable threshold
• Candidate meets English language requirements
• Candidate has sufficient funds to support themselves

How to Sponsor an Aerospace Engineer

Sponsoring a worker under SOC 2126 follows the standard Skilled Worker sponsorship process. Employers must complete several steps before the worker can apply for their visa.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Obtain a sponsor licence from the Home Office if you do not already hold one.
2. Identify the correct SOC code (2126) for the role you are filling.
3. Check the salary you are offering meets the going rate and minimum threshold.
4. Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the worker via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
5. Ensure the worker applies for their Skilled Worker visa using the CoS reference number.
6. Carry out right to work checks before employment begins.
7. Meet your ongoing sponsor duties once the worker starts.

Sponsor Licence Requirements

To hold a sponsor licence, your organisation must be a genuine trading business operating lawfully in the UK. You will need to demonstrate that you have appropriate HR systems in place to monitor sponsored workers and meet your compliance obligations. The Home Office may conduct a pre-licence visit before granting approval.

Sponsor Duties and Compliance

Once you have sponsored an aerospace engineer, your compliance obligations continue throughout their employment. Failing to meet these duties can result in licence suspension or revocation.

Ongoing Obligations Include

• Keeping accurate records of sponsored workers, including contact details and right to work documents
• Reporting changes to the worker's circumstances to the Home Office within the required timeframes
• Reporting if the worker does not show up to work or stops working for you
• Not assigning a CoS to a role that does not genuinely match the job description submitted
• Cooperating with any Home Office compliance visits or audits

Right to Work Checks

Before an aerospace engineer begins work, you must conduct a compliant right to work check. For Skilled Worker visa holders, this typically involves checking their visa vignette or digital status via the Home Office online checking service. You must retain evidence of this check for the duration of employment and for two years afterwards.

Immigration Skills Charge

When assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship for a Skilled Worker, most employers must pay the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC). This charge applies for each year of sponsorship and varies depending on the size of your organisation.

Current Immigration Skills Charge Rates

• Small or charitable sponsors: £364 per year of sponsorship
• Medium or large sponsors: £1,000 per year of sponsorship

The charge is paid upfront when you assign the CoS and covers the full length of the visa being granted. Some roles and worker types are exempt from this charge, but aerospace engineers under the standard Skilled Worker route are generally subject to it.

Visa Application Process for the Worker

Once you have assigned a CoS, the aerospace engineer can apply for their Skilled Worker visa. The application is made online through the UKVI portal.

Documents the Worker Will Typically Need

• Valid passport or travel document
• Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
• Proof of English language ability
• Proof of personal savings (if required)
• Tuberculosis test results (if applying from certain countries)
• Academic or professional qualifications (where relevant)

Processing Times

Standard Skilled Worker visa applications are typically processed within three weeks when applying from outside the UK. Priority and super-priority services are available for an additional fee, reducing processing times to five working days or the next working day respectively.

Salary and Market Rates for Aerospace Engineers in the UK

Understanding the market rate for aerospace engineers helps employers set compliant and competitive salaries. Salaries vary depending on experience, specialism, and location.

Indicative Salary Ranges

• Graduate or junior aerospace engineer: £28,000 to £38,000 per year
• Mid-level aerospace engineer: £38,000 to £55,000 per year
• Senior aerospace engineer: £55,000 to £75,000 per year
• Principal or lead aerospace engineer: £75,000 and above

Employers must ensure the salary offered for a sponsored worker meets the Skilled Worker visa threshold. If the going rate for SOC 2126 exceeds the general threshold of £41,700, the higher figure applies.

Recruiting Aerospace Engineers from Overseas

The UK aerospace sector faces persistent skills shortages, making international recruitment an important option for many employers. Countries with strong aerospace engineering talent pools include the United States, India, Canada, Australia, and various European nations.

Tips for International Recruitment

• Verify that candidates hold qualifications equivalent to UK degree level before proceeding with sponsorship
• Allow sufficient time for the visa application process when planning project start dates
• Consider relocation support to help overseas recruits settle in the UK
• Engage with specialist aerospace recruitment agencies familiar with international hiring
• Use Annaizu to manage the sponsorship and compliance process from a single platform

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SOC code 2126?

SOC code 2126 refers to aerospace engineers. It covers professionals who design, develop, test, and inspect aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems, ensuring they meet safety, regulatory, and performance standards.

Can I sponsor an aerospace engineer on a Skilled Worker visa?

Yes. Aerospace engineers under SOC 2126 are eligible for the Skilled Worker visa. You must hold a sponsor licence, assign a Certificate of Sponsorship, and ensure the salary offered meets the applicable threshold.

What salary do I need to pay a sponsored aerospace engineer?

The minimum is £41,700 per year or the going rate for SOC 2126, whichever is higher. You should check the current going rate on the Home Office occupation codes list before making an