R&D Engineering Degree Apprentice

TRIDONIC UK LIMITED

Spennymoor (DL16 6JE)

Closes in 12 days (Monday 31 August 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 18 August 2026

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Summary

The focus of this role is to support the development of emergency lighting and smart sensor technology. You will be working on a mixture of AC and DC systems, as well as embedded system design, in a friendly & supportive environment. You will be working towards a L6 BEng Product Design & Development Engineer apprenticeship at Newcastle University.

• Wage:

  £17,000 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Your Salary will increase annually in line with the national minimum wage

• Training course: Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)
• Hours: Monday to Friday shifts, may work evenings and weekends. Hours tbc.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Friday 2 October 2026

• Duration:

  4 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

• Design innovative embedded systems, for a variety of applications
• Produce schematics, layouts, and design packs
• Design for manufacture, with one of our global manufacturing teams
• Develop test methodologies for these systems
• Help Automate testing
• Approve designs to relevant standards
• Introduce these products into manufacturing

You will be offered the opportunity to travel as part of your development because we realise that exposure to other cultures and approaches is key to an individual’s development.

Our ambition for you is that you are keen to learn, willing to put the effort in, and prepared to have fun in the process. In return we are will offer you a spectacular opportunity to join a company that literally “lights” the way.

Where you'll work

House Of Light
Butchers Race
Spennymoor
DL16 6JE

Training

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

Training provider

UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

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

Training will predominantly take place in the workplace, and one day per fortnight you will be on day-release studying with Newcastle University, towards your apprenticeship. One day per fortnight will be on campus, one day per fortnight will be virtual learning. 

More training information

Newcastle University is the training provider for this apprenticeship- the programme will be four years (with 6 months additional end-point assessment). The programme focusses on upskilling in electrical engineering, with a specialism in advanced manufacturing. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• Combined Sciences etc (grade C)
• English (grade C)
• Mathematics (grade C)

Desirable qualifications

A Level in:

• Chemistry (grade C)
• Control Systems (grade C)
• Engineering (grade C)
• Mathematics (grade C)
• Physics (grade C)

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
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative

About this employer

We are the best kept secret in the North East! The company has had a site in Spennymoor for the last 50 years!! We are a class leading €Billion multinational company Head Quartered in Austria, with manufacturing and R&D sites across the globe. You will join a 300+ engineer international R&D team, with this position based in the Spennymoor Centre of Competence for Emergency Lighting and Smart Sensor design. The company uses state of the art technology to deliver power and battery systems into the lighting industry. We love Light, We Manage Light and We love Technology.

https://www.tridonic.com/en/int (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

This role will have access to a global engineering presence, this position offers growth on a global scale. We'll give you the opportunity to become a skilled craftsman of engineering, from EMC, to Software, to the artistry of PCB layout.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

This role will have access to a global engineering presence, this position offers growth on a global scale.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

Tina Taylor

tina.taylor@tridonic.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000048703.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Monday 31 August 2026 at 11:59pm)