Engineering Machinist Apprentice

PRIOR SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS LIMITED

Cambridge (CB21 5ET)

Closes in 21 days (Friday 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 10 July 2026

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Summary

Start your engineering career with Prior Scientific as a CNC Machining Apprentice. Learn to manufacture precision components using advanced machining equipment, gain recognised qualifications, and work alongside skilled engineers while earning and developing valuable industry skills.

• Wage:

  £22,308 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Income protection; • Profit share scheme; • Medicare health insurance; • Annual health checks; • Eye test up to £25; • Contribution to glasses up to £70

• Training course: Machining technician (level 3)
• Hours: Working hours - This role operates on a two-shift pattern, alternating weekly: Early Shift Monday to Thursday: 06:00 - 14:00, Friday: 06:00 - 13:00 Afternoon Shift Monday to Thursday: 13:45 - 22:00 Friday: 12:45 - 18:45

  39 hours a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 1 September 2026

• Duration:

  3 years 6 months

• Positions available:

  2

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

As a CNC Machining Apprentice, you will work within our Machine Shop, learning how to manufacture high-precision components used in advanced scientific and optical equipment. You will receive hands-on training from experienced machinists and engineers while studying towards a recognised engineering qualification.

Your duties may include:

• Setting up and operating CNC milling and turning machines
• Reading and interpreting engineering drawings and specifications
• Selecting and preparing materials, tooling, and fixtures
• Producing precision-engineered components to exact tolerances
• Using measuring equipment such as micrometers, verniers, and gauges to inspect parts
• Carrying out routine machine maintenance and housekeeping activities
• Supporting continuous improvement and quality initiatives
• Working safely in accordance with company procedures and health and safety standards

This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop practical engineering skills while earning and learning in a modern manufacturing environment.

Where you'll work

Units 3/ 4 Fielding Ind Est
Wilbraham Road
Fulbourn
Cambridge
CB21 5ET

Training

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

Training provider

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Comply with statutory health and safety regulations and procedures.
• Comply with environmental, ethical and sustainability regulations and procedures: safe disposal of waste, re-cycling or re-use of materials and efficient use of resources.
• Prepare and set up conventional or CNC machines.
• Operate and adjust conventional or CNC machines.
• Apply risk assessment and hazard identification processes and procedures in the work area.
• Monitor, obtain and check stock and supplies, and complete stock returns.
• Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, 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.
• Read and interpret information. For example, data and documentation used to produce machined components.
• Apply engineering, mathematical and scientific principles.
• Plan and organise own work and resources.
• Follow and apply inspection, quality assurance procedures and processes.
• Select machining process.
• Select and setup tooling and work holding devices.
• Set and adjust machine operating parameters. For example, setting feeds and speeds for roughing and finishing operations, loading, proving and validating programs when using a CNC machine tool.
• Apply machining operations and techniques to produce complex components with features. For example, parallel; stepped; angular diameters and faces; grooves; slots; recesses and undercuts; radii and chamfers; internal and external forms and profiles; reamed; bored; drilled and electro eroded holes; internal and external screw threads.
• Measure and check components.
• Select and check condition of tools and equipment. Identify issues, resolve and take action as needed.
• Identify and action issues in the manufacturing process.
• Apply fault-finding and diagnostic testing procedures to identify faults. Diagnose and resolve issues. Escalate issues.
• Maintain the work area and return any resources and consumables.
• Communicate with others verbally. For example, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Follow machine shut down, safe isolation, handover, start up or warm up procedures. Escalate issues.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
• Apply ethical principles.
• Apply team working principles.
• Comply with statutory health and safety regulations and procedures.
• Comply with environmental, ethical and sustainability regulations and procedures: safe disposal of waste, re-cycling or re-use of materials and efficient use of resources.
• Prepare and set up conventional or CNC machines.
• Operate and adjust conventional or CNC machines.
• Apply risk assessment and hazard identification processes and procedures in the work area.
• Monitor, obtain and check stock and supplies, and complete stock returns.
• Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, 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.
• Read and interpret information. For example, data and documentation used to produce machined components.
• Apply engineering, mathematical and scientific principles.
• Plan and organise own work and resources.
• Follow and apply inspection, quality assurance procedures and processes.
• Select machining process.
• Select and setup tooling and work holding devices.
• Set and adjust machine operating parameters. For example, setting feeds and speeds for roughing and finishing operations, loading, proving and validating programs when using a CNC machine tool.
• Apply machining operations and techniques to produce complex components with features. For example, parallel; stepped; angular diameters and faces; grooves; slots; recesses and undercuts; radii and chamfers; internal and external forms and profiles; reamed; bored; drilled and electro eroded holes; internal and external screw threads.
• Measure and check components.
• Select and check condition of tools and equipment. Identify issues, resolve and take action as needed.
• Identify and action issues in the manufacturing process.
• Apply fault-finding and diagnostic testing procedures to identify faults. Diagnose and resolve issues. Escalate issues.
• Maintain the work area and return any resources and consumables.
• Communicate with others verbally. For example, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Follow machine shut down, safe isolation, handover, start up or warm up procedures. Escalate issues.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
• Apply ethical principles.
• Apply team working principles.

Training schedule

In addition to your apprenticeship training, you will receive comprehensive on-the-job development, including:

• CNC machine operation and setup training
• Engineering drawing interpretation
• Use of precision measuring and inspection equipment
• Health & Safety and manual handling training
• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles
• Quality systems and manufacturing best practices
• Training on ERP/MRP systems and production processes
• Opportunities to work with experienced machinists, programmers, and manufacturing engineers across the business

This additional training will help you develop the practical skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in precision engineering.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

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

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
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Other requirements

This role is based in a machine shop environment and involves working with CNC machinery, standing for periods of time, and handling engineering components. The apprentice will work a rotating weekly shift pattern.

About this employer

Prior Scientific is a leading global manufacturer of precision scientific instruments and components, supplying customers in life sciences, microscopy, medical, and industrial markets. From our Cambridge facility, we design, manufacture, and assemble high-quality products that are used by researchers, scientists, and engineers around the world.
As an apprentice, you will join an experienced manufacturing team, gain hands-on engineering skills, and contribute to the production of world-class precision equipment in a supportive and innovative environment.

Company benefits

• Long service awards & extra holiday
• Paid sabbatical every 10 years
• 4% employer contribution to pension
• Death in service of x4 annual wage

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, there may be an opportunity to progress into a permanent CNC Machinist position within the Machine Shop. With further experience and training, you could develop into roles such as:

• Senior CNC Machinist
• CNC Programmer
• Quality engineering
• Production engineering

Prior Scientific is committed to developing talent and supporting employees who wish to further their careers within precision engineering and advanced manufacturing.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000040990.

Apply now

Closes in 21 days (Friday 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm)