Design Release Apprentice
OXFORD QUANTUM CIRCUITS LIMITED
SHINFIELD (RG2 9LH)
Closes in 13 days (Friday 5 June 2026)
Posted on 22 May 2026
Contents
Summary
As a Design Release Apprentice in OQC's Engineering team, you’ll support the journey from cutting-edge design to real-world manufacturing; working hands-on with CAD, BoM management, product lifecycle and project support. You’ll work with teams across OQC, learning how quantum systems are developed and released at scale.
- Wage
-
£22,000 a year
- Training course
- Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 6 July 2026
- Duration
-
4 years 6 months
- 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
- Learn how products move from initial engineering concepts through to manufacturing and deployment within a cutting-edge quantum computing environment
- They’ll gain practical experience using CAD tools such as SolidWorks
- Managing bills of materials
- Maintaining engineering documentation
- Supporting product lifecycle and design release processes to ensure manufacturing data is accurate and controlled
- Develop an understanding of design for manufacture, change control, quality processes, and how engineering teams collaborate to deliver complex systems
Where you'll work
ROOM 201
THE GATEWAY
1 COLLEGIATE SQUARE
SHINFIELD
RG2 9LH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
NEWBURY COLLEGE
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
Product Design and Development Engineer (degree) Level 6.
Requirements
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
- Creative
About this employer
OQC are developing cutting edge Quantum
Computing Technology. As our Apprentice, you will
have the opportunity to see your work deployed
inside some of the most advanced systems in the
world. You will learn skills from our innovative and
experienced team of specialists with a view to joining
us in bringing the Quantum revolution to the world.
After this apprenticeship
The experience gained in this role could lead to future careers within OQC in areas such as Design Release Engineering, Mechanical Design Engineering, or Project Management as the company continues to grow.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
OXFORD QUANTUM CIRCUITS LIMITED
Gillian Steele
gsteele@oqc.tech
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000033172.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Friday 5 June 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.