Advanced Electrical/Electronics Engineering Apprentice

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £11,925 rising incrementally to £18,402 in the fourth year
Hours: Full time 
Contract Type: Fixed Term (4 years)
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh 

Whether you’re about to leave school/college, changing career, or are seeking an exciting alternative to university, this could be just the start you’re looking for – a level 3 Electronics Engineering Apprenticeship at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UKATC).

Our Engineering apprenticeships are approved by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and provide an excellent opportunity to begin your Engineering career. 

STFC has proven experience in providing engineering apprenticeships and provides an excellent training ground to equip individuals with the relevant skills and experience for their chosen career in either mechanical, electrical or electronic engineering. STFC also has a broad science portfolio and works with the academic and industrial communities to share its expertise.

UK ATC is the national center for astronomical technology and is part of STFC. UK ATC designs and builds instruments for many of the world's major telescopes. They also project-manage UK and international collaborations and their scientists carry out observational and theoretical research into questions such as the origins of planets and of galaxies.

Based at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, its technology can be found in telescopes both on the ground and in space. 

About the role

The engineering apprentice will undertake learning and development to become an accomplished Electronics Technician.

Year 1

For the first 6 months of the apprenticeship, you will attend Edinburgh College full-time, followed by 6 months of day release. 

8 HND Electrical Engineering modules will be studied in the first year along with SVQ Level 2 modules which are more biased towards the practical element of the training, such as electrical wiring.

Year 2

From year 2 onwards, you will be based at UK ATC where you will continue your apprenticeship gaining more specialised skills within the workshop. You will gain extensive experience in broadening your knowledge and providing exposure to the full spectrum of working in a sophisticated ground breaking facility. 

This opportunity will be working alongside and guided by experienced technicians and engineers, with skills and knowledge being built up through direct involvement in exciting scientific projects.

You will attend college 1 day a week covering a further 8 HND modules and 2 PEO SVQ Level 2 modules.

For the rest of the week, you will be based at the workplace, the UK ATC Edinburgh, undertaking on-the-job training when you will begin a programme of in-house SVQ Lev 3 studies. This will provide you with extensive experience to broaden your knowledge and give you the opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects related to Astronomy.

Year 3

In year 3 you will again attend college 1 day a week covering a further 7 HND modules.

For the rest of the time, you will be at your workplace continuing with on-the-job SVQ Level 3 studies.

Year 4

Year 4 follows the same pattern as year 3 when a remaining 5 HND modules will be undertaken to complete the academic studies. Workplace SVQ Level 3 studies will also be finalised.

As an electronics engineering apprentice you will work closely with the technician team in the electronics group helping to design and produce electrical wiring and panel assemblies and populating electronics cabinets for a variety of projects. 

As you build on your skills and expertise, you will be given the opportunity to help maintain sophisticated test systems and assembly, testing and fault finding of electrical cabling and sophisticated mechanisms both at room temperature and in a cryogenic environment.

Throughout the apprenticeship, the successful candidate will be encouraged to work with engineers and scientists working on different projects involving partner institutions mainly based in the UK and Europe as they continue to develop instrumentation which pushes back the frontiers of Astronomy.

About an apprenticeship at STFC

With training and support from experts in their fields, you’ll be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge, skills and behaviours, working towards completing your apprenticeship, gaining appropriate qualifications whilst making a real difference in your role. 

If working with innovative technologies on world-leading research isn’t enough, you will develop both professionally and as a critical member of the team in an environment you won’t find anywhere else. 

Our dedicated Apprenticeship Team will support you every step of the way, helping you make the most of your opportunities and to achieve the goals you already have – and those you have yet to discover! 

We provide an opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion. You’ll have access to additional core skills development, access to a community of apprentices across the site, annual Apprentice awards evenings, a number of active sport and social groups across campus, and potential opportunities for overseas placements. 

STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, an outstanding index linked pension scheme, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours. 

For a list of our full benefits, please visit here:

• https://www.ukri.org/about-us/work-for-us/working-at-ukri/benefits-of-working-for-ukri/

To be eligible for this apprenticeship, we are looking for the follow:

Essential criteria:

• Achieved or predicted to achieve 5 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above including Maths, English and a STEM subject by September 2023 (or equivalent qualifications) 
• Good written communication skills 
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic about learning 
• Demonstrate an interest in engineering, instrumentation, and/or astronomy
• Good practical skills 
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Future development potential

Desirable:

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office 

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe’s largest research organisations by your side? 

Join us and discover what’s possible.