Research & Development Technician Apprentice

AP RACING LIMITED

Coventry (CV3 4LB)

Closes on Friday 13 March 2026

Posted on 29 January 2026


Summary

We are currently seeking a highly motivated Apprentice Research & Development Technician to join our Test & Validation team. You will play a critical role in the development and improvement of all our Race and Road products, including F1, NASCAR, MotoGP and high-performance road vehicles such as Bugatti, Lotus, Koenigsegg, and McLaren.

Training course
Mechatronics maintenance technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, working hours TBC

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

4 years

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

We are currently seeking a highly motivated Apprentice Research & Development Technician to join our Test & Validation team. You will play a critical role in the development and improvement of all our Race and Road products. Your ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, attention to detail, and technical mindset will contribute to the success of our R&D initiatives.

  • Collaborate with the testing and validation team to execute and support all stages of the product development and testing process, following methodologies and tools defined by AP Racing
  • Conduct product testing, including functionality, performance, and durability, to ensure that products meet quality standards and customer requirements
  • Develop benches and test set-ups and identify areas for improvement
  • Assist in the creation and maintenance of product specifications, testing procedures and related standards
  • Ensures submission of detailed engineering reports
  • Participate in cross-functional team meetings to provide technical insights, recommendations, and solutions for product development challenges
  • Stay up to date with industry trends, new technologies, and best practices related to product development to ensure continuous improvement and innovation
  • Ensures the proposal of creative and innovative solutions to increase product efficiency and reducing costs
  • Adhere to all safety protocols and guidelines to maintain a safe working environment

Where you'll work

Ap Racing Ltd, Seven Stars Industrial Estate, Wheler Road
Coventry
CV3 4LB

Training

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

Training provider

MIDLAND GROUP TRAINING SERVICES LIMITED

Training course

Mechatronics maintenance technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Use information technology, for example to create documentation, communication and information management.
  • Obtain, read and interpret task related documentation, such as work instructions, quality control documents, drawings, operation manuals, specifications and service manuals.
  • Record information for example job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
  • Conduct initial assessment of equipment that requires maintenance.
  • Formulate plans setting out the methodology of the maintenance activity including timescales and resources.
  • Select, prepare and use material, consumables, tools and equipment.
  • Comply with health and safety regulations and organisational requirements applicable in the workplace. For example, COSHH, PUWER, LOLER, PPE and applying safe systems of work.
  • Apply dynamic risk assessment, hazard identification and risk mitigation principles and techniques.
  • Apply isolation principles and techniques to equipment undergoing maintenance, including dissipation of stored energies as required.
  • Manufacture, repair and refurbish components using hand and machine tools.
  • Restore the workplace on completion of the maintenance activity. Handover resources, consumables and equipment to process owner.
  • Apply the techniques and processes used in reactive maintenance and repair activities on complex engineered systems such as electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems.
  • Produce, maintain, update, record and store documentation including electronic items such as PLC and robot programmes.
  • Apply techniques and processes used in planned and preventative maintenance activities on engineered systems such as electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems.
  • Apply functional testing and checking techniques and processes after maintenance interventions, and handover to the operational team.
  • Apply techniques and processes used in condition monitoring, non-destructive or sensory testing. Record findings and take necessary actions.
  • Apply calculation techniques such as, feeds, speeds, tolerances, electrical calculations using Ohms law, power calculations and cable sizing calculations.
  • Select, use and confirm calibration of electrical and mechanical testing and measuring equipment.
  • Produce sketches or drawings to support maintenance activities.
  • Communicate in writing. Prepare communications, documents and reports on technical matters.
  • Segregate, separate and dispose of waste streams and by-products.
  • Apply 4S or 5S principles of housekeeping to the work environment.
  • Identify opportunities and make recommendations to improve operational performance.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques.
  • Communicate with others verbally. Negotiate with colleagues or stakeholders. For example, to access equipment or arrange access to equipment.
  • Follow equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
  • Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
  • Apply fault finding techniques used in reactive maintenance on complex integrated systems including half split, input output, six point technique, function or performance testing, unit or component substitution and equipment diagnostics.
  • Use information technology, for example to create documentation, communication and information management.
  • Obtain, read and interpret task related documentation, such as work instructions, quality control documents, drawings, operation manuals, specifications and service manuals.
  • Record information for example job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
  • Conduct initial assessment of equipment that requires maintenance.
  • Formulate plans setting out the methodology of the maintenance activity including timescales and resources.
  • Select, prepare and use material, consumables, tools and equipment.
  • Comply with health and safety regulations and organisational requirements applicable in the workplace. For example, COSHH, PUWER, LOLER, PPE and applying safe systems of work.
  • Apply dynamic risk assessment, hazard identification and risk mitigation principles and techniques.
  • Apply isolation principles and techniques to equipment undergoing maintenance, including dissipation of stored energies as required.
  • Manufacture, repair and refurbish components using hand and machine tools.
  • Restore the workplace on completion of the maintenance activity. Handover resources, consumables and equipment to process owner.
  • Apply the techniques and processes used in reactive maintenance and repair activities on complex engineered systems such as electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems.
  • Produce, maintain, update, record and store documentation including electronic items such as PLC and robot programmes.
  • Apply techniques and processes used in planned and preventative maintenance activities on engineered systems such as electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems.
  • Apply functional testing and checking techniques and processes after maintenance interventions, and handover to the operational team.
  • Apply techniques and processes used in condition monitoring, non-destructive or sensory testing. Record findings and take necessary actions.
  • Apply calculation techniques such as, feeds, speeds, tolerances, electrical calculations using Ohms law, power calculations and cable sizing calculations.
  • Select, use and confirm calibration of electrical and mechanical testing and measuring equipment.
  • Produce sketches or drawings to support maintenance activities.
  • Communicate in writing. Prepare communications, documents and reports on technical matters.
  • Segregate, separate and dispose of waste streams and by-products.
  • Apply 4S or 5S principles of housekeeping to the work environment.
  • Identify opportunities and make recommendations to improve operational performance.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques.
  • Communicate with others verbally. Negotiate with colleagues or stakeholders. For example, to access equipment or arrange access to equipment.
  • Follow equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
  • Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
  • Apply fault finding techniques used in reactive maintenance on complex integrated systems including half split, input output, six point technique, function or performance testing, unit or component substitution and equipment diagnostics.

Training schedule

  • Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Foundation Competence)
  • BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Knowledge)
  • Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Competence)

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

  • Maths (grade 9-5)
  • English (grade 9-4)
  • Science (grade 9-4)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Any two other subjects (grade 9-4)

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

Skills

  • IT skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Analytical skills

Other requirements

Work inside R&D Centre, with test machinery that involved using lubricants and oils, so work wear would be given. Based on the equipment to be used, PPE and relevant training will also be provided.

About this employer

AP Racing is a leading manufacturer of performance brake and clutch systems for high performance road and race cars. The core product range includes clutches, calipers, discs, pads, master cylinders, pedal boxes and air jacks, as well as road and competition brake systems for motorcycles.

After this apprenticeship

Future prospects for successful apprentices is a full-time Research & Development Technician role with opportunity to sponsor further education in this field.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

MIDLAND GROUP TRAINING SERVICES LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000011602.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 13 March 2026

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