26-0013 CAD/CAM Engineer Apprentice

SIMPSON PATTERNS LTD

Sheffield (S9 4UL)

Closes on Friday 31 July 2026

Posted on 13 January 2026

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Contents

Summary

Working in a fast-paced department you will work on a range of projects, from large-scale themed products to one-off jigs. You will need to use your skills to complete the required workload to the customer specifications, which may vary by job. This position reports to the Technical Manager.

Wage

£14,526.20 to £23,492.04, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

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Training course
Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
Hours
You will work Monday to Friday. Your start and finish times including your shift pattern will be determined by the employing company.

37 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 9 September 2026

Duration

3 years 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Role & responsibilities:

  • Design, develop and engineer high-quality models using 3D and 2D CAD tools – Autodesk Powershape software
  • Turn customer models / drawings into usable CAD data for the CNC machines
  • Take CAD instructions / models and create toolpaths / programmes using CAM software
  • Setting up, running and maintaining CNC machines
  • Create drawings of products, ensuring they are produced to a good standard
  • Liaise with customers to ensure the models / drawings meet their requirements
  • Use 3D scanning equipment and Polyworks metrology software to scan and check a variety of products
  • Inspecting finished products for accuracy and quality, identifying any defects
  • Wrapping products ready for dispatch
  • Assisting with dispatch of products in line with delivery notes
  • Keep control of stock, notifying Manager of any shortages prior to running out
  • Record daily time spent on jobs on a weekly time sheet
  • Keep work area clean and tidy
  • Adhere to Health & Safety policies and procedures at all times, including wearing appropriate PPE
  • Follow internal processes and procedures
  • Meet production targets and deadlines
  • Help develop and improve processes to improve quality and efficiency

Where you'll work

Parkway Avenue
Sheffield
S9 4UL

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

Training course

Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
  • Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
  • Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
  • Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
  • Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
  • Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
  • Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
  • Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
  • Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
  • Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
  • Follow standard operating procedures.
  • Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
  • Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
  • Carry out and record learning and development activities.
  • Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
  • Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
  • Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
  • Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
  • Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
  • Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
  • Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
  • Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
  • Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
  • Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
  • Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
  • Follow standard operating procedures.
  • Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
  • Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
  • Carry out and record learning and development activities.
  • Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.

Training schedule

You will study on a Level 3 Engineering and manufacturing support technician apprenticeship. On completion of this, you will gain a qualification in Engineering at Level 3 standard.

During the first year of the apprenticeship, your learning will take place at the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre based at Catcliffe, Rotherham, for an initial block of study on a full-time basis. After this, you will attend the Training Centre for one day a week for knowledge study.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English Language (grade 4)
  • Mathematics (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working

About this employer

We are a growing manufacturing company with over 20-years of experience. Our main area of work includes making patterns for foundries and the automotive industry, delivering nationwide. We provide scanning facilities for existing projects, or as part of our quality inspection process. We also offer larger-scale theming products, such as the Bears of Sheffield in 2021.

After this apprenticeship

Completion of the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre apprenticeships are nationally recognised qualifications which are acknowledged and respected by employers across the world. These can open the door to many more opportunities, such as Engineering Management and Project Engineering positions across a range of sectors worldwide.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000008354.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 31 July 2026

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.