Mechatronic Maintenance Apprenticeship (Level 3 – Advanced)
AWE PLC
Berkshire (RG7 4PR)
Closes on Sunday 31 January 2027
Posted on 3 November 2026
Contents
Summary
Engineering-related disciplines are at the heart of AWE, helping us maintain and develop the facilities, equipment and systems that support our mission to keep the nation safe and secure.
- Wage
-
£16,750 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Starting salary of £16,750, increasing to £24,500 in Year 2, with further annual salary increases throughout your apprenticeship, subject to satisfactory performance and achievement of apprenticeship milestones.
Market leading contributory pension scheme. Generous paid holiday entitlement of 270 hours per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays, plus every other Friday off as part of AWE’s flexible working pattern
- Training course
- Mechatronics maintenance technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
9 day fortnight. 33 hrs on the
short week, 8hrs 15 mins per day.
41 hrs on the long week, 8hrs 15
mins per day Monday to
Thursday and Fridays 8hrs.
Please note hours may alter due to your offsite training
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 1 September 2027
- Duration
-
4 years
- Positions available
-
8
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
From the start of your apprenticeship, you will be aligned to your specific engineering pathway, giving you the opportunity to develop practical skills, technical knowledge and industry experience within your specialist area. Through a combination of hands-on training and college study, you’ll build the foundations needed for a successful career.
This apprenticeship may involve travel to off-site training locations. Transport or expenses will be provided where applicable, and applicants should be willing to travel if required.
Following your initial training period, you will complete placements relevant to your pathway, working alongside experienced engineers and technical specialists. You will apply your learning in a real working environment, further develop your technical skills and gain valuable experience supporting live engineering activities at AWE.
The pathway you follow will shape the type of engineering work you learn and the skills you develop. You do not need to know everything about each area before you apply - the selection process will help you learn more about the options and identify where your interests, strengths and potential may fit best.
The Mechatronic Maintenance Apprenticeship allows you to work with mechanical, electrical and automated systems, helping to maintain advanced equipment and understand how different engineering areas work together.
Where you'll work
Atomic Weapons Establishment
Aldermaston
Reading
Berkshire
RG7 4PR
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
AWE PLC
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
From the start of your apprenticeship, you will be aligned to your specific engineering pathway, giving you the opportunity to develop practical skills, technical knowledge and industry experience within your specialist area. Through a combination of hands-on training and college study, you’ll build the foundations needed for a successful career.
This apprenticeship may involve travel to off-site training locations. Transport or expenses will be provided where applicable, and applicants should be willing to travel if required.
Following your initial training period, you will complete placements relevant to your pathway, working alongside experienced engineers and technical specialists. You will apply your learning in a real working environment, further develop your technical skills and gain valuable experience supporting live engineering activities at AWE.
The pathway you follow will shape the type of engineering work you learn and the skills you develop. You do not need to know everything about each area before you apply - the selection process will help you learn more about the options and identify where your interests, strengths and potential may fit best.
The Mechatronic Maintenance Apprenticeship allows you to work with mechanical, electrical and automated systems, helping to maintain advanced equipment and understand how different engineering areas work together.
More training information
- Please note that the training provider for this apprenticeship will be an external organisation and is yet to be confirmed
- We will share details once they are finalised
- Training may be delivered through either day release or block release,
depending on the provider and apprenticeship programme
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
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Health and Safety
Other requirements
- Start Date: 1st September 2027
- Annual leave will not be granted from 1st
September until 1st October due to mandatory
inductions you are required to complete as part of
your apprenticeship - Any leave approved after this point will depend on the training provider requirements for your apprenticeship and must be agreed in advance
- These roles are governed by Health and Safety at
Work Regulations and require all candidates to
have an Occupational Health pre-employment
medical held at AWE which follows the initial
selection process - All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas
- Our ambition is to create workplaces where we
recognise and celebrate differences, encourage
diverse contributions and our employees feel able
to be themselves at work. We strive to create a
genuine culture of openness and inclusion and
encourage diverse applicants - If you choose to share information on your
application form about support needs, learning
differences, disabilities, health conditions or
adjustments, we may contact you to understand
how we can support you through the recruitment
process - This information will only be used for this
purpose and will be handled in line with GDPR - Due to the security requirements associated with
this apprenticeship, applicants must be British
Nationals and be aged 18 or over by 31 August
2027
About this employer
We’re a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of our NATO allies.
Our work is critical. We’re delivering Astraea, the next warhead for the UK’s nuclear deterrent and pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology. But that’s just part of the story.
We support the UK government in a range of vital areas – from counter-terrorism to global nuclear test monitoring to building a world-class community of experts in nuclear science. This is work that protects lives and strengthens national security.
At AWE, you’ll find more than just a job. You’ll find purpose, growth, and a community like no other. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to learn from the best, develop your skills, and be part of something truly unique.
Be extraordinary at AWE.
http://www.awe.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Access to employee discounts portal, with everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure
Employee Assistance Support Programme and Occupational Health Services
Alongside these benefits, you will get the opportunity to learn from some of the UK’s leading engineers and technical specialists, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to work that supports national nuclear security, threat reduction and counter-terrorism.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- Following successful completion of your apprenticeship, and subject to business need and your career aspirations, you’ll move into a role within the business, aligned to the pathway you have trained in
- You’ll become part of a skilled community, supporting some of the UK’s most unique facilities, equipment, processes and technologies, while continuing to develop your career at AWE
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
AWE PLC
Early Careers
earlycareers@awe.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000062407.
Apply now
Closes on Sunday 31 January 2027
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.