Mechanical (degree) Apprentice
CURTISS-WRIGHT WIMBORNE LIMITED
Dorset (BH21 7SQ)
Closes in 21 days (Friday 6 March 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 11 February 2026
Contents
Summary
Kick-start your engineering career at the cutting edge. This mechanical engineering apprenticeship puts you inside the world of nuclear control and radiation measurement, learning real skills from day one: 3D CAD, 3D printing, materials, pneumatics/vacuum systems, mechanical analysis and design. Apply to build expertise that truly matters.
- Wage
-
£21,250 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Local incentive compensation plan (bonus) 5% Flexible benefits scheme
- Training course
- Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, with early finish on Fridays. Times to be confirmed.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 24 August 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
The Apprentice will undertake the relevant training to develop the necessary skills in the chosen trade and manufacture/design equipment to satisfy the business product and project range. During the scheme, you will complete placements within engineering and operations, designed to be flexible to support your career objectives and development. These placements will give you the chance to utilise and build your skills across the engineering/operation disciplines. Please be aware this role is subject to security restrictions. This mean we will require incumbents must be a sole British Citizen. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.
Where you'll work
Innovation House
Ferndown Industrial Estate
Wimborne
Dorset
BH21 7SQ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE, THE
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
The apprentice will attend Bournemouth and Poole College on a day release basis for the first three years, followed by two years day release at Bournemouth University.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
A Level or equivalent in:
NVQ or SVQ Level 3 or equivalent in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Administrative skills
- Analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Initiative
- IT skills
- Logical
- Number skills
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
Other requirements
Specialist requirements: Aware of security restrictions. You will also be required to apply for and attend an academic interview at Bournemouth and Poole College.
https://www.thecollege.co.uk/courses/degree-apprenticeship-in-product-design-development-mechanical-design-pathway
About this employer
Curtiss-Wright Round Rock and Wimborne have worked with nuclear and industrial customers for over 60 years. We support customers across the world from facilities located in the US and UK. Our solutions are embedded in strategic national infrastructure, and our people are active partners in customer programs that are focused on delivering advanced future nuclear and industrial capabilities.
After this apprenticeship
Progression to full-time employment.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE, THE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000013734.
Apply now
Closes in 21 days (Friday 6 March 2026 at 11:59pm)