Apprentice Engineering Operator
WAVE OPTICS LIMITED
OXFORD (OX14 4SR)
Closes on Friday 31 July 2026
Posted on 25 February 2026
Contents
Summary
The Apprentice will learn to safely and efficiently operate various machinery and equipment in our manufacturing facility. This apprenticeship offers training and mentor-ship, preparing for a successful career as a skilled Operator in a high tech cleanroom environment.
- Wage
-
£20,000 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
£20,000 - £22,000 Dependant on experience
- Training course
- Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday 9:00am to 6:00pm
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
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1 year
- 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
You will:
• Learn how to process material to the required production plan, quality standards and to the applied standard operating procedures.
• Learn and adhere to all safety regulations and company policies.
• Report any equipment malfunctions or production issues to supervisors.
• Maintain a clean and organised work area.
• Participate in all required training and educational programs.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the manufacturing process.
Where you'll work
141 PARK DRIVE
MILTON PARK
ABINGDON
OXFORD
OX14 4SR
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ENGINEERING TRUST TRAINING LIMITED
Training course
Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, and other relevant guidelines. Identifying risks within their processes and support/carry out countermeasure activities to improve safe working. Manage tooling, equipment and materials daily in-line with supplier standards e.g. COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
- Comply with environmental procedures and systems and contribute to the achievement of specific standards e.g. ISO 14001 or other relevant environmental standards and use the 4R’s (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Recover) where possible
- Demonstrate their ability to carry out their role effectively, efficiently and flexibly maintaining lean manufacturing principles to meet customer’s demands e.g. JIT
- Demonstrate their skill and knowledge following SOPs and building their versatility across a number of processes and process areas. Select and use appropriate tools, equipment and materials to carry out the manufacturing operation
- Demonstrate appropriate process documentation control. Accurately completing check sheets, monitoring process and equipment data efficiently and legibly using the correct terminology required to meet the quality standard e.g. ISO 9002
- Demonstrate their ability to identify and resolve problems within the lean manufacturing environment using effective problem solving tools and techniques. Manage problems that may occur during the manufacturing process within the limits of their responsibility and escalate as appropriate
- Generate ideas and contribute to process improvement activities individually or as part of a team through fact finding and analysis to improve the safety, environment, quality, cost or production process. Identifying and eliminating the 7 wastes (defects, over production, transportation, waiting, inventory, motion and processing)
- Demonstrate communication skills which include oral, written, electronic (PC), information boards or visual displays to effectively share information
- Maintains and monitors the work site efficiently and effectively at all times using the elements of sifting, sorting, sweeping, spick & span (5’s) within the lean manufacturing environment
- Check components for damage and that they are in a usable condition
- Correctly position, align and secure the components
- Secure the components in position using the specified fastening device/method
- Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions/Standard operating procedures production/assembly specifications in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the production/assembly activity
- Produce components which comply with the specification and quality requirements
- Carryout quality checks on component parts and completed assemblies and deal with quality concerns and defects in line with their responsibility
- Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, inspection/quality procedures and product specifications in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the inspection/quality assurance activity
- Collect production samples at the required frequency in accordance with inspection specification and operating procedures
- Carryout inspection and testing activities using the specified methods and equipment
- Prepare, Handle, transfer and store samples safely and correctly in accordance with quality control procedures
- Accurately interpret the data/results gained from the inspection and testing procedures being used
- Record and report inspection findings to relevant person
- Safely move materials to the correct location using the relevant equipment
- Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, specification details and specific transfer/handling procedures in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the logistic/material handling activity
- Move materials using the appropriate procedures, ensuring the materials are correct, safely loaded and secure.
- Check materials selected to be moved are in line with job requirements
- Carryout quality checks on materials that are to be moved and deal with quality concerns and damage in line with their responsibility
- Return equipment to its correct location on completion of the activities and leave it in a safe and usable condition
- Perform one processing/finishing operation method e.g. hand processing, manually operated machine processing, fully automated machine processing, combined processing
- Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, processing/finishing procedures and equipment operating procedures in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the processing/finishing activity
- Perform the processing/finishing operation according to instructions and safe operating procedures
- Monitor and control the processing/finishing operation
- Produce processed/finished products which comply with processing specification
Training schedule
Qualifications included:
- Lean Manufacturing Operative Apprenticeship Standard. Company Training Plan & Assessment.
- Level 2 Diploma in manufacturing - Knowledge & Skills (workplace)
- Level 1 Functional Skills - Maths (If required)
- Level 1 Functional Skills - English (If required)
- End Point Assessment at the end of the apprenticeship
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE 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
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
- Interest in Engineering
- Positive Attitude
- Willingness to learn
- Safety Conscious
- Proactive
- Resilient
- Time Management
Other requirements
You will be working in a cleanroom facility, this is a highly controlled, enclosed environment designed to maintain extremely low levels of airborne contaminants like dust. Please do some research about cleanroom facilities as part of your application process.
• (If you have received educational qualifications outside of the UK then we will require a Statement of Comparability to confirm your eligibility for the scheme)
Minimum Qualifications:
- GCSE in Maths, English, Science, Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent): Maths, English and a Science/Technology subject (If you have received educational qualifications outside of the UK then we will require a Statement of Comparability to confirm your eligibility for the scheme)
- You must have the right to work in the UK and meet the eligibility criteria for UK government-funded apprenticeships, including residency requirements (normally 3 years’ ordinary residence in the UK, EEA or a relevant territory prior to the start of the programme
- You must not be enrolled on another UK government-funded education or training programme at the time of starting the apprenticeship.
About this employer
The Spectacles team is pushing the boundaries of technology to bring people closer together in the real world. Our fifth-generation Spectacles, powered by Snap OS, showcase how standalone, see-through AR glasses make playing, learning, and working better together.
After this apprenticeship
We’re looking for Apprentices who are eager to grow into future leaders. Augmented Reality is a new and rapidly emerging technology, making this an exciting time to enter the field.
You’ll have the opportunity to build a strong foundation of knowledge and accelerate your engineering career as the industry continues to expand.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ENGINEERING TRUST TRAINING LIMITED
Mason Curtiss
m.curtiss@theengineeringtrust.org
07795 887318
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000017118.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 31 July 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.