Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprentice
Network Rail
Weston Super Mare (BS24 7TN)
Closes in 15 days (Wednesday 15 July 2026)
Posted on 30 June 2026
Contents
Summary
As a Degree Apprentice, you’ll gain hands-on experience supporting railway infrastructure. Combining academic study with practical projects, you’ll develop skills in mechanical design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, reliability and engineering management while contributing to engineering solutions across the UK rail network.
- Wage
-
£24,500 a year
- Training course
- Manufacturing engineer (degree) (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 7 hours per day. Exact times will be determined on appointment.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 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
In TDT and the wider Engineering Services organisation, you’ll contribute to real engineering projects that support the development and improvement of mechanical systems used across the UK rail network.
Your duties will include:
- Support the design, development and improvement of mechanical systems used across the UK rail network.
- Assist with mechanical design activities, including modelling, analysis and engineering calculations.
- Apply materials, manufacturing, structural and stress engineering principles to real-world projects.
- Participate in the testing, validation and investigation of mechanical components and systems.
- Support the analysis and development of thermofluid systems and related engineering solutions.
- Contribute to reliability, performance and lifecycle assessments to help optimise asset performance.
- Assist in identifying, investigating and solving engineering problems using a structured approach.
- Work collaboratively with mechanical, electrical, electronic and systems engineers on multidisciplinary projects.
- Support engineering project delivery through effective planning, documentation and communication.
- Contribute to engineering activities within the Technology Development Team and wider Engineering
Where you'll work
Units 1 2 Red Lodge Business Park
West Wick
Weston Super Mare
BS24 7TN
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WESTON COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
Training course
Manufacturing 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, operational designs, or specifications for manufacturing projects or programmes of work.
- Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve problems and determine solutions or actions.
- Collate, store, use and present data and supporting documentation.
- Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics.
- Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data evidence.
- Manage assigned projects or programmes of work, taking into account factors such as planning, safety, quality, cost, performance and sustainability.
- Apply processes for project or programme management such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
- Comply with statutory and organisational safety and security standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
- Identify and use manufacturing processes, resources and technologies to turn the materials, components or other commodities into a finished product or system.
- Apply quality management and assurance processes to identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the manufacturing engineering process.
- Carry out pre operations checks of engineering manufacturing systems and equipment before use.
- Manage continuous improvement activities using techniques such as Six Sigma, 5s, Kaizen, Lean, Kanban, Statistical Process Control or Value Stream Mapping.
- Create, maintain and review project documentation. Record and action any non-conformities.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Communicate in writing for example technical reports, documents and presentations.
- Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders. Manage differing and competing interests with stakeholders.
- Identify and complete opportunities for personal and professional development including keeping up to date with current and emerging technology.
- Apply and promote policies and practices to support equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Consider management of change (MOC) requirements when undertaking manufacturing projects or programmes of work.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability legislation, regulations and standards associated with the manufacturing engineering environment. Uses resources efficiently, for example waste minimisation.
- Ensure equipment is managed and maintained.
- Optimise processes and procedures, such as relating to safety, efficiency, performance, productivity and sustainability.
- Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured, checked and tested for safe operation, efficiency and reliability.
- Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes, operational designs, or specifications for manufacturing projects or programmes of work.
- Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve problems and determine solutions or actions.
- Collate, store, use and present data and supporting documentation.
- Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics.
- Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data evidence.
- Manage assigned projects or programmes of work, taking into account factors such as planning, safety, quality, cost, performance and sustainability.
- Apply processes for project or programme management such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
- Comply with statutory and organisational safety and security standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
- Identify and use manufacturing processes, resources and technologies to turn the materials, components or other commodities into a finished product or system.
- Apply quality management and assurance processes to identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the manufacturing engineering process.
- Carry out pre operations checks of engineering manufacturing systems and equipment before use.
- Manage continuous improvement activities using techniques such as Six Sigma, 5s, Kaizen, Lean, Kanban, Statistical Process Control or Value Stream Mapping.
- Create, maintain and review project documentation. Record and action any non-conformities.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Communicate in writing for example technical reports, documents and presentations.
- Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders. Manage differing and competing interests with stakeholders.
- Identify and complete opportunities for personal and professional development including keeping up to date with current and emerging technology.
- Apply and promote policies and practices to support equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Consider management of change (MOC) requirements when undertaking manufacturing projects or programmes of work.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability legislation, regulations and standards associated with the manufacturing engineering environment. Uses resources efficiently, for example waste minimisation.
- Ensure equipment is managed and maintained.
- Optimise processes and procedures, such as relating to safety, efficiency, performance, productivity and sustainability.
- Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured, checked and tested for safe operation, efficiency and reliability.
Training schedule
- BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship Standard
- Attendance at University Centre Weston. Schedule will vary over the course of the apprenticeship
- Hands-on engineering experience
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English or equivalent (grade 4/C or above)
- Maths or equivalent (grade 4/C or above)
A Level in:
- Computer Science (or equivalent diploma) (grade C or above)
- Engineering (or equivalent diploma) (grade C or above)
- Maths (or equivalent diploma) (grade C or above)
- Physics (or equivalent) (grade C or above)
Desirable qualifications
T Level in:
Access to HE Diploma 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
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Interest in Mechanical Eng.
- Motivated to learn
About this employer
Engineering is at the heart of keeping Britain moving. As a Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprentice, you’ll play a hands‑on role in understanding, improving and supporting the mechanical systems that power our railway infrastructure. You’ll earn a fully funded degree, gain real industry experience, and build a career that makes a national impact.
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements
- Up to 28 days Annual Leave
- Network Rail pass and 75% off leisure train tickets (subject to T&Cs)
- Pension
- Interest-free travel loan
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
We strive to develop and retain exceptional engineering talent. After completing the programme, you can apply for roles such as Mechanical Design Engineer within the Technology Development Team. Long-term, this apprenticeship provides a strong foundation for progression into specialist, senior or leadership engineering roles across Network Rail.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WESTON COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
Naomi Judge
Naomi.Judge@weston.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000038654.
Apply now
Closes in 15 days (Wednesday 15 July 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.