Design Engineer - Degree Apprenticeship
WESTWELL DEVELOPMENTS LTD
Kent (ME2 4DZ)
Closes in 23 days (Friday 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 8 July 2026
Contents
Summary
This is a prestigious Degree Apprenticeship that combines high-level academic study with elite practical training. You will spend one day a week at the University of Greenwich and four days gaining hands-on experience at our facilities, working on large-scale engineering projects that keep British industry moving.
- Wage
-
£25,000 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Salary to increase annually.
- Training course
- Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:30.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 14 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
The Opportunity
Are you looking to build a career in the "heavy" side of engineering? HW, a leader in heavy engineering and bespoke fabrication, is seeking an ambitious Apprentice Design Engineer to join our specialist team.
Your Role
As an Apprentice Design Engineer, you will bridge the gap between a concept and a finished project. Your responsibilities will include:
Engineering Design: Using CAD software to create technical drawings for heavy fabrications and machinery components.
Problem Solving: Developing design solutions for "In-Situ" engineering—creating tools and parts that allow repairs to happen on-site without dismantling entire machines.
Workshop Collaboration: Working closely with our designers, fabricators and machinists to ensure designs are practical for manufacture and installation.
Project Documentation: Maintaining accurate technical records and compliance data for safety-critical projects.
Where you'll work
Westwell Developments Ltd
Strood
Rochester
Kent
ME2 4DZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH
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
You will spend one day a week at the University of Greenwich (Medway, Kent) and four days gaining hands-on experience at our facilities (Rochester, Kent), working on large-scale engineering projects that keep British industry moving.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade C/4)
- Mathematics (grade C/4)
A Level 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
- Number skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
Other requirements
- Full UK driving license or learning to drive.
- A genuine interest in mechanical systems and the grit required to work in a fast-paced heavy engineering environment.
- Willingness to travel and work away from home.
About this employer
As a long-established, family-owned business, we have spent nearly a century delivering bespoke engineering excellence across diverse sectors—from Power and Sub-sea Cables to the unique challenges of Zoos and Theme Parks.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Transitioning from a Design Engineer to a Project Manager (PM) requires pivoting from purely technical design to managing budgets, timelines, and stakeholders. The typical progression moves from Design Engineer → Project Engineer → Design Manager → Project Manager.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WESTWELL DEVELOPMENTS LTD
Luke Mann
jobs@westwelldevelopments.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000041482.
Apply now
Closes in 23 days (Friday 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm)