Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

Babcock International

Warrington (WA3 6YD)

Closes on Thursday 18 December 2025

Posted on 24 October 2025

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Summary

Join our Cavendish Nuclear business and build a career that truly matters. Over this 4-year programme, you’ll study towards a BEng (Hons) in Professional Engineering (Product Design) while gaining hands-on experience on initiatives that support the safe delivery of nuclear new build and decommissioning projects.

• Wage:

  £22,800 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Year 1: £22,800 Year 2: £25,993 Year 3: £29,186 Year 4: £32,380

• Training course: Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

  35 hours a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 1 September 2026

• Duration:

  4 years

• Positions available:

  4

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

• As a Mechanical Engineering Apprentice at Cavendish Nuclear, you’ll join a collaborative and experienced team working across all phases of the engineering lifecycle. Whether you’re supporting new build or decommissioning projects, you’ll play a vital role in the UK’s civil nuclear sector, helping to deliver national energy resilience, meet net zero commitments, and safely clean up the nuclear legacy.

• You’ll work on a variety of nuclear projects, from developing new technologies and maintaining essential systems to extending the life of vital infrastructure. Your day-to-day activities will include hands-on experience with Computer Aided Design (CAD), 3D modelling, mechanical calculations, and producing engineering documentation to national and international standards. You’ll support operational teams, resolve technical issues, and inform decisions that impact real-world outcomes. As part of your role, you’ll define design requirements, develop 3D CAD models, produce detailed engineering drawings, and carry out scoping calculations. You’ll also prepare equipment specifications, technical reports, and help manage plant and equipment obsolescence to ensure systems remain safe and reliable. Supporting assembly, testing, and operational teams, you’ll offer technical guidance, resolve engineering queries, and manage nonconformance issues, while gaining exposure to advanced engineering tools such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software.

• Based at one of our key sites in Warrington, you’ll support major projects at locations like Sellafield. You’ll begin by shadowing experienced engineers, building a strong foundation in design, modelling, calculations, and documentation. As you develop, you’ll take on more complex tasks and gain valuable experience across the full design lifecycle. Every drawing, design, or calculation you contribute to plays a part in protecting people, the environment, and the nation’s energy future.

• Throughout your apprenticeship, you’ll be surrounded by supportive mentors and experienced engineers who are invested in your growth. You’ll be part of a wider emerging talent community, sharing experiences and learning alongside other apprentices across the business. You’ll be trusted to take ownership of your development and supported every step of the way as you turn theory into real-world impact.

Where you'll work

Warrington
WA3 6YD

Training

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

Training provider

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

Training course

Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes or operational designs or specifications for products, systems or components to solve engineering challenges such as compliance, technology, technical or physical challenges.
• Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve complex problems and determine appropriate solutions or actions such as Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC), Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) or Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA).
• Collate and use a range of data sources and supporting documentation to support projects.
• Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, project plans, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics using company documentation systems and guidelines.
• Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data or developmental or test evidence.
• Manage assigned projects or programmes of work to meet the required specification, taking into account factors such as resource requirements, safety, quality, cost and performance or sustainability criteria. Apply processes for project or programme management including outcomes such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
• Comply with statutory and organisational safety standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
• Identify resources, such as digital tools or technologies, human, equipment, materials or data, to complete design and development projects or programmes of work.
• Create and manage a project or work programme plan and develop activities in a logical process embedding mechanisms for adapting to changing circumstances or requirements.
• Demonstrate leadership when undertaking product design, development, modification or update engineering activities.
• Identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the design or development process, which may impact the quality and reliability of the product, system or component.
• Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured and checked for safe operation before use.
• Evaluate engineering designs, development or modification options.
• Identify areas for improvement and lead continuous improvement activities in the operation and performance of the product, system or component.
• Complete project documentation checks throughout the activity and report non-conformances.
• Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes or operational designs or specifications for products, systems or components to solve engineering challenges such as compliance, technology, technical or physical challenges.
• Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve complex problems and determine appropriate solutions or actions such as Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC), Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) or Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA).
• Collate and use a range of data sources and supporting documentation to support projects.
• Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, project plans, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics using company documentation systems and guidelines.
• Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data or developmental or test evidence.
• Manage assigned projects or programmes of work to meet the required specification, taking into account factors such as resource requirements, safety, quality, cost and performance or sustainability criteria. Apply processes for project or programme management including outcomes such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
• Comply with statutory and organisational safety standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
• Identify resources, such as digital tools or technologies, human, equipment, materials or data, to complete design and development projects or programmes of work.
• Create and manage a project or work programme plan and develop activities in a logical process embedding mechanisms for adapting to changing circumstances or requirements.
• Demonstrate leadership when undertaking product design, development, modification or update engineering activities.
• Identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the design or development process, which may impact the quality and reliability of the product, system or component.
• Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured and checked for safe operation before use.
• Evaluate engineering designs, development or modification options.
• Identify areas for improvement and lead continuous improvement activities in the operation and performance of the product, system or component.
• Complete project documentation checks throughout the activity and report non-conformances.

Training schedule

You will study towards the Product Design and Development Engineer (Degree) Apprenticeship standard through the University of Lancashire.

Your training will be delivered through a blended learning model that combines in-person and online teaching. Each semester begins with a three-day block of face-to-face delivery, followed by weekly online sessions throughout the term. This structure is designed to support both academic learning and practical application.

The programme is tailored for engineers involved in product development and integrates key disciplines such as materials science, computer-aided design (CAD), systems integration, and prototyping. It focuses on equipping learners to create fit-for-purpose solutions in regulated environments.

 

Upon successful completion, you will be awarded a BEng (Hons) in Professional Engineering (Product Design) and a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship qualification.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• Any subject (grade 4(C) and above)
• Any subject (grade 4(C) and above)
• English (grade 4(C) and above)
• Mathematics (grade 4(C) and above)
• Science (grade 4(C) and above)

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

Skills

• Communication skills
• Problem solving skills
• Analytical skills
• Team working

Other requirements

Many of our apprenticeship programmes are subject to security clearance and trade control restrictions, which means that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

About this employer

Babcock is an international defence company providing support and product solutions to enhance our customers’ defence capabilities and critical assets. We provide through-life technical and engineering support for our customers’ assets, delivering improvements in performance, availability and programme cost. Our c27,700 employees deliver these critical services to defence and civil customers, including engineering support to naval, land, air and nuclear operations, frontline support, specialist training and asset management. We also design and manufacture a range of defence and civil specialist equipment, from naval ship and weapons handling systems to liquid gas handling systems. We also provide integrated, technology-enabled solutions to our defence customers in areas such as secure communications, electronic warfare and air defence.

https://earlycareers.babcockinternational.com/apprenticeships/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• Fully funded qualification • Personal development training and opportunities • Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays • Competitive pension scheme • Employee share scheme • Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

By the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll be ready to take on the role of mechanical engineer, with a competitive salary exceeding £43,000.

 

You’ll also have the opportunity to build on your progress toward professional registration as an Incorporated Engineer, a recognised benchmark of engineering competence.

 

As a global organisation, Babcock provides countless opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career. To support your growth, we’ve introduced the Babcock Role Framework, which outlines roles, career pathways, and development opportunities. With every job mapped to these frameworks, you’ll have a transparent view of the steps needed to reach Senior Engineer and beyond.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000345661.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 18 December 2025

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