Test and Development Apprentice (Test Lab)

MERCEDES-BENZ GRAND PRIX LTD

Northamptonshire (NN13 7BD)

Closes in 9 days (Tuesday 24 February 2026)

Posted on 11 February 2026

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Summary

You will be embedded within our T&D Lab, and you will take a hands-on role in developing our ability to sign-off safety and reliability critical components for use on our race car. There will be periods of integration across different areas of our lab environment, and you will be mentored by the subject matter expert for each of these.

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Engineering fitter (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 17:30.

40 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

You will learn the theory and practical skills to:

  • Manufacture metallic components using our three-axis mill and lathe to enable rapid set up of experiments in the laboratory.
  • Set up experiments and perform component-level testing of items such as suspension members or pedals, then analyse the data to ensure that the requirements of the test have been met.
  • By the conclusion of your apprenticeship, be able to take specific ownership of the testing of components of the car (as examples – this could be suspension parts, transmission components, wing deflection tests etc.).

Key Skills to be Developed:

  • Interpreting technical drawings to British Standard 8888, including a detailed understanding of geometric tolerancing.
  • The use of CNC and manual machine tools for milling and turning of fixturing to be used for the setup of tests within the laboratory.
  • Theory and operation of Instron universal testing machines for static and fatigue testing of car components.
  • The application of sensors and instrumentation to ensure that we acquire high quality data during our experiments.
  • Data analysis to enable the correct interpretation of information from our data acquisition / telemetry systems.
  • Knowledge of the design and installation of components within the car that you are testing, which will include working closely with the relevant designer(s).
  • Appreciation of the other areas of factory-based testing, including supporting the needs within both our Dyno and Materials Lab at critical points of the year.
  • The ability to work safely – both individually and as part of a wider team. As well as working in line with Departmental Risk
  • Assessments, this also includes being proactive at highlighting and resolving concerns in line with our “See it, Say it, Fix it” culture.

Where you'll work

Operations Centre
Brackley
Northamptonshire
NN13 7BD

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 fitter (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
  • Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
  • Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
  • Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
  • Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
  • Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
  • Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
  • Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
  • Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
  • Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
  • Reporting work outcomes or issues.
  • Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
  • Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
  • Operating within limits of responsibility.
  • Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
  • Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
  • Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
  • Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
  • Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
  • Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
  • Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
  • Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
  • Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
  • Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
  • Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
  • Reporting work outcomes or issues.
  • Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
  • Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
  • Operating within limits of responsibility.
  • Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.

Training schedule

Block release with MTC.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 5 and above)
  • Maths (grade 5 and above)
  • Science (grade 5 and above)
  • Two other GCSEs (grade 5 and 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
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Patience

About this employer

At the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, a group of passionate and determined people work to design, develop, manufacture and race the cars with the aim of fighting for world championships each and every year. Whether working in our Operations, Technical, Race or Business Support functions, we are all in and aspire to build the greatest team in the history of our sport. 

Build your skills. Make an impact. Race towards excellence.

Every dream needs a team.

http://www.mercedesamgf1.com/careers/apprenticeships (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Test and Development Engineer.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE MTC - ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TRAINING CENTRE LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014592.

Apply now

Closes in 9 days (Tuesday 24 February 2026)

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