Engineering Technician Apprentice

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Oxfordshire (OX11 0QX)

Closes in 24 days (Monday 2 February 2026)

Posted on 5 January 2026

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Contents

Summary

Whether you’re fascinated by machines, electronics, design, or innovation, this is your chance to turn passion into profession. You will specialise in one of three disciplines: mechanical, electrical or electronic 
Whichever path you take, you’ll progress to complex projects that support world-leading science. 

Wage

£19,514 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Throughout the course of your apprenticeship you will receive annual increments in line with policy

Training course
Engineering maintenance technician - single discipline (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday 8am-4pm

37 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 3 September 2026

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

As a rotating engineering apprentice your main duties/responsibilities will include working under the guidance and support of your team within each placement. 
 
Throughout your apprenticeship you will be expected to support scientists from all over the world as they continue to push back the barriers of science.   
 
In the different disciplines:  
Mechanical Apprentice 
You’ll help make mechanical parts and assemblies using both modern technology and traditional methods. 
At first, you’ll work in manual machining workshops to practice the skills you learned in your first year. 
Later, you’ll move into different areas such as: 
    * CNC machining (computer-controlled machines) 
    * Technician roles working with vacuum systems, gases, cryogenics         etc 
    * Design work using a range of CAD and simulation engineering               tools 
 
Electrical Apprentice 
You’ll learn how to install different types of cabling, from small control wires to large high voltage cables. 
You’ll practice soldering tiny components, sometimes under a microscope. 
You’ll also learn how to set up trunking and conduit (protective channels for cables), and how to test, repair, and maintain electrical systems. 
There are opportunities to: 
     * Work on electrical design using CAD software 
     * Learn automation and controls, including programming PLC/HMI           systems 
     * Help commission (set up and test) these systems for real                        applications

 
Electronic Apprentice 
You’ll work with advanced electronics, from small chips to large data systems used in global scientific research. 
Early on, you’ll practice core skills like soldering, crimping, building prototype boards, and using test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, etc.). 
As you progress, you’ll move into fault finding, designing, and building circuits. 
You’ll handle a wide range of technologies, from high voltage circuits to printed circuit boards with components smaller than a grain of rice. 

Where you'll work

Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Harwell
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 0QX

Training

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

Training provider

THE MTC - ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TRAINING CENTRE LIMITED

Training course

Engineering maintenance technician - single discipline (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Review and use information. For example, work instructions, drawings, design specifications, and plant configurations.
  • Use planning, prioritising, organising, and time management techniques to plan tasks.
  • Identify and organise resources to complete tasks. For example, consumables.
  • Respond and adapt to work demands. For example, adapt working methods to reflect changes in working environment, re-prioritise workloads to react to breakdowns and fault scenarios.
  • Identify equipment to work on. Check plant configuration is as defined.
  • Prepare the work area for maintenance tasks.
  • Identify environmental and health and safety hazards and risks and apply control measures.
  • Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, signage and barriers, working at height, confined spaces, and COSHH.
  • Follow security procedures. For example, site access, document classification, and securing assets.
  • Follow emergency incident and response procedures.
  • Apply sustainability principles. For example, minimising waste.
  • Segregate items for reuse, recycling, and waste.
  • Use mathematical principles and formulae to support engineering maintenance.
  • Apply engineering maintenance standards and procedures.
  • Apply foreign material exclusion procedures.
  • Follow maintenance tools and equipment control procedures. For example, handling and storage.
  • Reinstate the work area.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate with others to give and receive information. For example, colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.
  • Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
  • Record information.
  • Produce or update documents. For example, handover notes and reports.
  • Identify and highlight issues (red pen) with technical drawings.
  • Use digital and information technology. For example, databases, data sharing platforms, email, management information systems, and word processing. Follow cyber security and GDPR requirements.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques to identify improvement suggestions.
  • Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
  • Electrical. Confirm safe electrical isolation lockout tagout method has been applied and test for dead.
  • Electrical. Select, check, and use electrical maintenance tools, measurement, and test equipment.
  • Electrical. Use electrical diagnostic equipment and apply fault finding and rectification techniques.
  • Electrical. Apply problem solving and critical reasoning techniques.
  • Electrical. Inspect and test electrical aspects of plant. For example, visual checks, insulation and continuity checks, thermographic surveys, and voltage levels.
  • Electrical. Remove and replace electrical parts.
  • Electrical. Prepare and terminate electrical cables.
  • Electrical. Set up, align and adjust electrical aspects of plant.
  • Electrical. Clean parts. For example, removal of dust and debris.
  • Electrical. Conduct and confirm electrical and connected services deisolation.
  • Electrical. Conduct functional testing.
  • Control and instrumentation. Conduct and confirm safe isolation of connected services
  • Control and instrumentation. Confirm safe electrical isolation lockout tagout method has been applied and test for dead.
  • Control and instrumentation. Select, check, and use control and instrumentation maintenance tools, measurement, and test equipment.
  • Control and instrumentation. Use control and instrumentation diagnostic equipment and apply fault finding and rectification techniques.
  • Control and instrumentation. Apply problem solving and critical reasoning techniques.
  • Control and instrumentation. Inspect and test control and instrumentation systems.
  • Control and instrumentation. Check calibration and make adjustments.
  • Control and instrumentation. Check loop function.
  • Control and instrumentation. Set up and adjust control and instrumentation systems.
  • Control and instrumentation. Clean parts. For example, removal of dust and debris.
  • Control and instrumentation. Remove and replace instruments and sensors.
  • Control and instrumentation. Re-connect instrumentation power supply, cables, pipework, and services.
  • Control and instrumentation. Conduct and confirm electrical and connected services deisolation.
  • Control and instrumentation. Conduct functional testing.
  • Mechanical. Check and confirm safe isolation of connected services.
  • Mechanical. Select, check, and use mechanical maintenance tools and equipment.
  • Mechanical. Use mechanical diagnostic equipment and apply fault finding and rectification techniques.
  • Mechanical. Apply problem solving and critical reasoning techniques.
  • Mechanical. Check condition and operation of mechanical aspects of plant and equipment. For example, pumps.
  • Mechanical. Remove and replace mechanical parts.
  • Mechanical. Examine mechanical parts for defects. For example, pump seals.
  • Mechanical. Set up, align, and adjust mechanical aspects of plant.
  • Mechanical. Clean parts. For example, removal of dust and debris.
  • Mechanical. Lubricate mechanical assemblies.
  • Mechanical. Confirm electrical and connected services deisolation.
  • Mechanical. Conduct functional testing.
  • Mechanical. Apply bench fitting techniques.
  • Review and use information. For example, work instructions, drawings, design specifications, and plant configurations.
  • Use planning, prioritising, organising, and time management techniques to plan tasks.
  • Identify and organise resources to complete tasks. For example, consumables.
  • Respond and adapt to work demands. For example, adapt working methods to reflect changes in working environment, re-prioritise workloads to react to breakdowns and fault scenarios.
  • Identify equipment to work on. Check plant configuration is as defined.
  • Prepare the work area for maintenance tasks.
  • Identify environmental and health and safety hazards and risks and apply control measures.
  • Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, signage and barriers, working at height, confined spaces, and COSHH.
  • Follow security procedures. For example, site access, document classification, and securing assets.
  • Follow emergency incident and response procedures.
  • Apply sustainability principles. For example, minimising waste.
  • Segregate items for reuse, recycling, and waste.
  • Use mathematical principles and formulae to support engineering maintenance.
  • Apply engineering maintenance standards and procedures.
  • Apply foreign material exclusion procedures.
  • Follow maintenance tools and equipment control procedures. For example, handling and storage.
  • Reinstate the work area.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate with others to give and receive information. For example, colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.
  • Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
  • Record information.
  • Produce or update documents. For example, handover notes and reports.
  • Identify and highlight issues (red pen) with technical drawings.
  • Use digital and information technology. For example, databases, data sharing platforms, email, management information systems, and word processing. Follow cyber security and GDPR requirements.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques to identify improvement suggestions.
  • Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.

Training schedule

Year 1: Full-time training at OAS in Culham, rotating through 4–6 week blocks. Supplemented with QuEST modules delivered by STFC staff in collaboration with UKAEA, covering technologies for Quantum, Fusion, and high-tech engineering. 


Year 2: On-the-job training at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) with rotational placements in your chosen discipline, plus continued OAS blocks. 


Years 3–4: Fully embedded in the workplace, applying your skills in real-world engineering environments as you progress toward becoming a qualified Engineering Technician. 


Travel to OAS is required, with excess costs covered. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • 3 more subjects (grade 4 or above)
  • English (grade 4 or above)
  • Maths (grade 4 or above)

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
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

About this employer

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

https://www.ukri.org/councils/stfc/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

30 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas Shutdown

Cycle to Work Scheme

Employee Discount Scheme

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Further career and training opportunities

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE MTC - ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TRAINING CENTRE LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000006077.

Apply now

Closes in 24 days (Monday 2 February 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.