Mechanical Engineering Technician Apprentice

Mechanical Engineering Technician Apprentice

Embark on an Engineering Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) at Daresbury Laboratory. You will develop practical skills in mechanical design, maintenance, and advanced manufacturing techniques whilst contributing to world‑class research.

• Contract
  :
  Fixed‑Term – 48 months
• Salary
  : £19,514 per annum (rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)
• Hours
  :
  Full‑time – 37 hours per week
• Location
  :
  Daresbury Laboratory, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD
• Start Date
  :
  September 2026
• Closing Date
  :
  Sunday, 2 Feb 2026

In the Technology Department’s Engineering Technology Centre you will progress from a Technician to a Designer, working on large scientific and cutting‑edge technology systems. The programme offers structured training, hands‑on experience, and mentors from industry, enabling you to build both technical and professional expertise.

• L3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship Qualification
• L4 HNC (Optional)

• Aligned with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) – Engineering Technician (Eng Tech)
• Aligned with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) – Engineering Technician (Eng Tech)

• Maintain and promote workplace health, safety and environmental compliance
• Prepare and conduct risk assessments, emergency procedures and project briefings
• Order supplies, manage resources and record engineering maintenance requirements
• Perform fault diagnosis, troubleshooting and preventive maintenance on mechanical plant, equipment and systems
• Use 3D printers, CNC milling and other advanced manufacturing techniques
• Document maintenance records, job reports and safety hand‑over documentation
• Support continuous improvement initiatives for safety, reliability and efficiency

Riverside and Cronton College – College website

Year 1 – full‑time study with the college (term‑time only), with half‑term breaks on site.
Years 2‑4 – 4 days per week on site and 1 day per week with the college. Regular one‑to‑one coaching sessions provided by an assessor.

• Work in vacuum, compressed gases, cryogenics and mechanical design environments
• Assist in bench fitting, CNC machining and conventional machining tasks
• Support the manufacture and integration of mechanical parts and assemblies for large‑scale and precision research equipment

• Grade 4/C or above in Maths and English; at least 4 GCSEs, including one STEM subject
• Basic awareness of health and safety practices
• Strong motivation to learn in the workplace and through formal training
• Demonstrable interest in science, engineering and technology
• Basic technical engineering knowledge and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to follow written technical instructions in English
• Teamwork skills and independent working ability
• Good communication and basic computer skills

• To qualify, you must evidence four GCSE passes (or equivalent) in Maths, English, one STEM subject and one other subject. Predicted grades for summer 2026 candidates must be provided.
• Residency eligibility criteria must be met; see eligibility guidance.
• Applicants will be asked to complete an initial assessment and may need to provide a transcript if they hold a relevant qualification.
• Applications will be held confidentially and only used for assessment purposes.

• Salary progression annually in line with policy
• 30 days holiday plus 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days
• Flexible working hours
• Defined average salary pension scheme
• Excellent learning and development opportunities
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme

• Submit a CV and a cover letter addressing the essential criteria and your motivation for the role, via the online application portal.
• Only a maximum of 2 applications per candidate will be accepted.
• Include the job reference number in the file names of your documents.
• Applications will be reviewed after 2 Feb 2026; the earliest interview slots are set between 23 Feb and 6 Mar.

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