Level 4 Lead Engineering Maintenance Technician apprentice

PLESSEY SEMICONDUCTORS LIMITED

Plymouth (PL6 7BQ)

Closes on Friday 27 February 2026

Posted on 6 January 2026

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Summary

Plessey Semiconductors Limited are recruiting for a Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician apprentice to join their team! As an apprentice you will be learning how complex manufacturing systems work, and will build a portfolio of evidence to support you during the assessment process.

Wage

£22,133 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

We offer a competitive salary including private health insurance and pension scheme. 

Training course
Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 4.30pm.

38 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

3 years 6 months

Positions available

6

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

During 2026 Plessey is offering the opportunity to join the Level 4 Higher apprenticeship against the Lead Engineering Maintenance Technician standard. The academic element will be hosted by The Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre on a day release basis (1 day per week).

The apprenticeship consists of the HNC qualification and provides the opportunity to build the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) specified in the Level 4 Engineering Technician Standard. There is a minimum of 42 month before the KSBs are externally assessed during the Apprenticeship end-point assessment (EPA).

During your apprenticeship, you will build a portfolio of evidence to support you during the assessment process. You will receive guidance and supervision from The Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre and Plessey, who will support you every step of the way.

During the apprenticeship, you will be an employee of Plessey and will work alongside our engineers, undertaking on the job training.

As an apprentice:

  • You will be learning about the availability and performance of complex manufacturing systems
  • You will be gaining skills from the fields of electrical, mechanical and electronic engineering to be able to employ continuous improvement
  • You will learn data analysis techniques to bring and keep systems at their optimum level
  • You will learn about the specification and installation of new systems, to ensure their smooth integration into the manufacturing line

Where you'll work

Tamerton Road Roborough
Plymouth
PL6 7BQ

Training

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

Training provider

CORNWALL COLLEGE

Training course

Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Read and extract relevant engineering and manufacturing related data and information (such as workplans or project plans, schedules,  drawings, specifications, production data, quality reports, costing data, statistical information) drawing accurate conclusions and making informed decisions.
  • Use project management tools, such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT), stakeholder matrices, risk mapping, radar chart and summary risk profiles.
  • Use problem solving tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Failure Modes Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Fishbone, Practical Problem Solving (PPS) and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
  • Analyse and interpret data and information in order to generate manufacturing engineering documentation such as Parts Per Million (PPM) quality adherence, cost analysis and test data.
  • Communicate using the appropriate method for the audience such as, formal and informal presentations, written reports, verbal, electronic, social media and incorporating relevant and appropriate data or metrics.
  • Use the approved process and quality compliance procedure to create or amend engineering or manufacturing documentation.
  • Use lean tools and techniques, such as Six Sigma, 8 Wastes, Workplace organisation such as 5S's (sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain), Kaizen and Poka-Yoke (Error proofing).
  • Apply documentation control processes and procedures such as format, location, access, authorisation.
  • Use financial planning, recording and review processes and documentation such as departmental budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
  • Use computer based software systems or packages such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Data Analytics and Databases.
  • Read and extract relevant engineering and manufacturing related data and information (such as workplans or project plans, schedules,  drawings, specifications, production data, quality reports, costing data, statistical information) drawing accurate conclusions and making informed decisions.
  • Use project management tools, such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT), stakeholder matrices, risk mapping, radar chart and summary risk profiles.
  • Use problem solving tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Failure Modes Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Fishbone, Practical Problem Solving (PPS) and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
  • Analyse and interpret data and information in order to generate manufacturing engineering documentation such as Parts Per Million (PPM) quality adherence, cost analysis and test data.
  • Communicate using the appropriate method for the audience such as, formal and informal presentations, written reports, verbal, electronic, social media and incorporating relevant and appropriate data or metrics.
  • Use the approved process and quality compliance procedure to create or amend engineering or manufacturing documentation.
  • Use lean tools and techniques, such as Six Sigma, 8 Wastes, Workplace organisation such as 5S's (sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain), Kaizen and Poka-Yoke (Error proofing).
  • Apply documentation control processes and procedures such as format, location, access, authorisation.
  • Use financial planning, recording and review processes and documentation such as departmental budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
  • Use computer based software systems or packages such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Data Analytics and Databases.

Training schedule

  • Apprenticeship Standard: Engineering Manufacturing Technician Level 4 incl HNC
  • The apprenticeship consists of the HNC qualification and provides the opportunity to build the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) specified in the Level 4 Engineering Technician Standard
  • There is a minimum of 42 month before the KSBs are externally assessed during the Apprenticeship end-point assessment (EPA)

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4/C)
  • Maths (grade C/4)

Other in:

Engineering (grade Pass)

Desirable qualifications

A Level in:

Maths and a Science/Engineering subject (grade C or above)

BTEC in:

Electrical/Mechanical Engineering (grade Pass)

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
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

Our manufacturing facility is based at Roborough and adjacent to Dartmoor National Park. Applicants must have a Level 3 equivalent in Engineering, or 3+ years industry experience.

About this employer

Plessey has a long history of innovation. Founded in 1956, we have evolved from one of Europe’s earliest semiconductor pioneers into the world’s most advanced MicroLED specialist. Over the decades, Plessey has built a first class, fully integrated platform designing, manufacturing, and engineering next-generation display technologies entirely in-house. This end to end capability, combined with our strong IP portfolio, uniquely positions us to lead the scaling of MicroLEDs from lab innovation to high-volume production. 

Our future is even brighter. We believe MicroLEDs will define the next era of technology—powering ultra-efficient AR/VR displays, driving optical processors that make AI faster and more sustainable, and enabling devices yet to be imagined. With our unique expertise and talented team, we are positioned to lead this transformation.

It’s an exciting time to join us: Plessey has recently been acquired by Haylo Labs, accelerating our growth and opening new opportunities.

https://plesseysemiconductors.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Additional employee benefits include life insurance, cycle to work scheme, an onsite subsidised gym, free food at our canteen, staff events and 28 days holiday plus paid bank holidays.

After this apprenticeship

Successful completion of the units required to complete the HNC (2 years) will allow you to move to technician grade. (Subject to performance) Successful completion of the end-point assessment (EPA) will allow you to move to engineer grade. Some equipment engineers in the longer term become senior managers or technical specialists.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CORNWALL COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000006936.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 27 February 2026