Mechanical Engineering Accelerated Degree Apprenticeship
Babcock International
Warrington (WA3 6YD)
Closes on Thursday 18 December 2025
Posted on 16 October 2025
Contents
Summary
Fast-track your mechanical engineering career with our 2-year Accelerated Degree Apprenticeship. Designed for individuals with relevant prior learning. This opportunity blends structured academic study with experience, leading to a full BEng (Hons) degree.
- Wage
-
£40,454 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
• 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
- Training course
- Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)
- Hours
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Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm
35 hours a week
- Start date
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Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
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2 years
- Positions available
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5
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
Our Cavendish Nuclear business supports customers to deliver a future where nuclear is a key part of the energy solution. By joining our Mechanical Engineering Accelerated Degree Apprenticeship, you’ll be part of a team at the forefront of developing advanced technologies that make the world safer and more secure.
As an apprentice, you’ll contribute to a variety of projects involving mechanical engineering, from conceptual stages to manufacturing readiness. Learning from experienced colleagues, you'll have the opportunity to rotate through departments to contribute to important projects.
Through this fast-tracked programme, you will:
- Develop expertise in mechanical engineering, including the creation of drawings, calculations, specifications, schedules, and technical reports
- Complete calculations, including scoping calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
- Produce technical documentation to support the design and development of nuclear engineering solutions
- Evaluate designs for potential risks and hazards, focusing on nuclear and radiological safety
- Contribute to projects across the entire design and engineering lifecycle, from early concept development to detailed design and manufacturing preparation
- Produce operations and maintenance manuals
Develop and outline installation sequences and process flow diagrams - Support the manufacture and installation of engineering equipment
Your work will be integral to vital projects advancing the UK’s nuclear clean-up efforts. This includes decommissioning outdated facilities to safeguard the environment and refurbishing laboratories and nuclear waste plants to ensure safety and efficiency. Each project contributes to the safe clean-up of the UK’s nuclear legacy and helps create a world where nuclear plays a key contribution in protecting our nation, ensuring security of energy supply and meeting our net zero commitments.
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 undertake the Product Design and Development Engineer (Degree) Apprenticeship, 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) degree, accredited by an Engineering Council licensed Professional Engineering Institution, alongside a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship qualification
Requirements
Essential qualifications
Other in:
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
Other requirements: Many of our apprenticeship programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean 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.
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
- At the end of the programme, you will have acquired the skills and experience to move into a Mechanical Engineering role within Cavendish Nuclear
- You’ll also have the opportunity to build on your progress toward professional registration as an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer, a recognised benchmark of engineering competence, which can support your journey into more advanced roles, such as Senior Engineer
- 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 VAC1000345734.
Apply now
Closes on Thursday 18 December 2025
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