Apprentice Solid works Designer
MADSON BLACK LIMITED
BICESTER (OX26 4PP)
Closes on Monday 28 September 2026
Posted on 10 August 2026
Contents
Summary
- An apprentice role supporting the design of bespoke chandeliers and luxury lighting using SolidWorks. Working with experienced designers and craftspeople, you will produce 3D models and technical drawings while developing specialist skills in lighting design, engineering and manufacture.
- Wage
-
£20,000 a year
- Training course
- Engineering design technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 5 October 2026
- Duration
-
3 years
- 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
• Madson Black is seeking an Apprentice SolidWorks Designer to develop bespoke chandeliers, decorative lighting and architectural metalwork.
• A good basic knowledge of SolidWorks, including parts, assemblies and drawings, is essential. Working with experienced designers and craftspeople, you will develop 3D models and manufacturing drawings while learning engineering, materials, production, 3D printing and traditional craftsmanship.
Where you'll work
10 MURDOCK ROAD
BICESTER
OX26 4PP
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ENGINEERING TRUST TRAINING LIMITED
Training course
Engineering design technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards.
- Work in accordance with the design process, company management systems, policies and procedures.
- Review and interpret technical information and requirements from different sources such as specifications, engineering drawings, concepts, stakeholders.
- Identify and assess factors that affect designs such as materials, application, location, risk and environment.
- Select materials and parts.
- Propose and evaluate ideas for sustainable engineering concepts to solve engineering challenges.
- Develop solutions that can be manufactured or built, and proven, operated and maintained during their operational life and decommissioned or recycled at the end of their operational life.
- Provide feedback on engineering designs.
- Apply quality assurance procedures to engineering drawings or models, including own designs and those of peers.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Produce written documents, schedules and reports.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Identify inaccuracies or discrepancies in drawings and specifications and propose solutions.
- Incorporate changes to an existing design as a result of any modifications made during the as-built implementation.
- Create concepts for system layouts and associated components.
- Read, interpret and establish design intent.
- Determine the correct tolerances for components of the design.
- Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Perform simple calculations to use in design drawings.
- Use measuring techniques for reverse engineering.
- Option 1. Produce general arrangements of electrical power.
- Option 1. Produce detailed drawings of electrical power components such as wires connection, voltage, capacity, main switches.
- Option 1. Identify cable types and application.
- Option 1. Use digital tools such as CAD and BIM to produce electrical power project deliverables such as output drawings and electrical designs.
- Option 2. Produce general arrangements of control and instrumentation designs.
- Option 2. Produce detailed drawings of control and instrumentation components such as cable numbers, wire colours, junction block numbers and panel identification.
- Option 2. Identify different cable types and appropriate application.
- Option 2. Use digital tools such as CAD to produce control and instrumentation project deliverables.
- Option 3. Produce general arrangements of mechanical designs.
- Option 3. Produce detailed drawings of mechanical components such as part dimensions, shape and manufacture.
- Option 3. Use digital tools such as CAD to produce mechanical project deliverables.
- Option 4. Produce general arrangements of piping design.
- Option 4. Produce detailed drawings of piping components such as pipework, ducts and fittings and including supports and skids.
- Option 4. Use digital tools such as CAD or Plant Design Management Systems to produce piping design project deliverables.
- Option 5. Produce general arrangements of structures showing multiple materials such as steel, concrete, masonry, timber.
- Option 5. Produce detailed drawings for multiple materials such as steel, concrete, timber or masonry.
- Option 5. Use digital tools such as CAD and BIM to produce structural project deliverables.
- Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards.
- Work in accordance with the design process, company management systems, policies and procedures.
- Review and interpret technical information and requirements from different sources such as specifications, engineering drawings, concepts, stakeholders.
- Identify and assess factors that affect designs such as materials, application, location, risk and environment.
- Select materials and parts.
- Propose and evaluate ideas for sustainable engineering concepts to solve engineering challenges.
- Develop solutions that can be manufactured or built, and proven, operated and maintained during their operational life and decommissioned or recycled at the end of their operational life.
- Provide feedback on engineering designs.
- Apply quality assurance procedures to engineering drawings or models, including own designs and those of peers.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Produce written documents, schedules and reports.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Identify inaccuracies or discrepancies in drawings and specifications and propose solutions.
- Incorporate changes to an existing design as a result of any modifications made during the as-built implementation.
- Create concepts for system layouts and associated components.
- Read, interpret and establish design intent.
- Determine the correct tolerances for components of the design.
- Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Perform simple calculations to use in design drawings.
- Use measuring techniques for reverse engineering.
Training schedule
Qualifications included:
- Engineering Design Technician Apprenticeship Standard. Company Training Plan & Assessment.
- Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering - Development Knowledge (1 day per week for 2 years at college)
Development Competence Qualification (workplace) - Level 2 Functional Skills - Maths (If required)
- Level 2 Functional Skills - English (If required)
- End Point Assessment at the end of the apprenticeship
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
SolidWorks or other CAD 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
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Patience
- Design and Craftsmanship
- Positive attitude
Other requirements
• This is a highly technical, IT-driven role involving long periods working at a computer using SolidWorks.
• Candidates should enjoy detailed, precise work, problem-solving and continual learning, while also being comfortable working closely with our workshop and manufacturing teams.
About this employer
- Madson Black is a Royal Warrant-holding British designer and manufacturer of bespoke chandeliers, decorative lighting and architectural metalwork.
- From our Oxfordshire workshops, we combine traditional craftsmanship with advanced design and manufacturing technology, working for leading designers, luxury hotels, governments and Royal Households.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- This apprenticeship offers excellent long-term career prospects within Madson Black. The successful candidate can progress from Apprentice Designer to Designer and Senior Designer, taking increasing responsibility for complete projects.
- Future opportunities may include design management, project leadership or specialist technical roles as the company continues to grow in the UK and internationally.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ENGINEERING TRUST TRAINING LIMITED
Sally Parr
s.parr@theengineeringtrust.org
07879 128768
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000047222.
Apply now
Closes on Monday 28 September 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.