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Design & Manufacturing Engineering Apprentice

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Ready to launch your career? We are looking for a Design Apprentice to join our Engineering team. With structured learning, practical experience and support from experienced engineers, you will develop the skills needed to be used in our rocket engines, propulsion systems and fluidics projects.
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- Learn computer-aided design
- Receive training in the CAD software ‘Creo’, to create 3D models and engineering drawings
- Support the design of components, sub-assemblies, tooling and manufacturing fixtures
- Learn how drawings are produced to recognised engineering standards, including BS 8888 and geometric tolerancing
- Learn how engineering requirements are interpreted and developed into practical design solutions
- Support drawing checks and maintain accurate design information in accordance with company processes
- Turn ideas into practical solutions
- Help investigate existing designs and identify opportunities to improve them
- Support prototype manufacture, assembly and testing activities
- Learn how material choice, manufacturing methods, quality, cost and delivery times influence a design
- Work alongside Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Assembly, Test and Project teams, gaining a clear understanding of how each department contributes to the delivery of our products
- Complete a placement within our manufacturing workshop, gaining direct exposure to machining, manufacturing processes, tooling and inspection
- Spend time within our cleanroom assembly and test areas, learning how components and propulsion systems are assembled, inspected, handled and prepared for testing
- Gain first-hand exposure to our test site and the preparation and hot-fire testing of rocket engines and propulsion systems, while following all required safety procedures
- Attend design and manufacturing reviews and team meetings, helping to prepare information, capture technical feedback and record agreed actions
- Support the preparation of drawings, models and other design information used by our in-house manufacturing teams and external suppliers
- Apply the knowledge and practical feedback gained during your placements to create designs that consider manufacture, assembly, quality, safety, cost and testing
Where you'll work
WESTCOTT VENTURE PARK
WESTCOTT
AYLESBURY
BUCKS
HP18 0NZ
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE NEW UNIVERSITY
Training course
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
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Manufacturing 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, operational designs, or specifications for manufacturing projects or programmes of work.
- Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve problems and determine solutions or actions.
- Collate, store, use and present data and supporting documentation.
- Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics.
- Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data evidence.
- Manage assigned projects or programmes of work, taking into account factors such as planning, safety, quality, cost, performance and sustainability.
- Apply processes for project or programme management such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
- Comply with statutory and organisational safety and security standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
- Identify and use manufacturing processes, resources and technologies to turn the materials, components or other commodities into a finished product or system.
- Apply quality management and assurance processes to identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the manufacturing engineering process.
- Carry out pre operations checks of engineering manufacturing systems and equipment before use.
- Manage continuous improvement activities using techniques such as Six Sigma, 5s, Kaizen, Lean, Kanban, Statistical Process Control or Value Stream Mapping.
- Create, maintain and review project documentation. Record and action any non-conformities.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Communicate in writing for example technical reports, documents and presentations.
- Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders. Manage differing and competing interests with stakeholders.
- Identify and complete opportunities for personal and professional development including keeping up to date with current and emerging technology.
- Apply and promote policies and practices to support equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Consider management of change (MOC) requirements when undertaking manufacturing projects or programmes of work.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability legislation, regulations and standards associated with the manufacturing engineering environment. Uses resources efficiently, for example waste minimisation.
- Ensure equipment is managed and maintained.
- Optimise processes and procedures, such as relating to safety, efficiency, performance, productivity and sustainability.
- Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured, checked and tested for safe operation, efficiency and reliability.


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Training schedule
This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.
Essential qualifications
- A Level in:
- Any Science (grade 6+)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Initiative
Nammo Westcott designs, manufactures and tests a range of chemical thrusters (small rockets) which are used to propel satellites into position either in the Earth’s orbit or for deep-space missions to other planets. The company also makes less powerful thrusters that control the satellite’s attitude/position during its 15 year orbit life. The company is the UK’s only space rocket thruster manufacturer and has a long history of success with many hundreds of units in use, the team has approx 80 experienced people based at Westcott which covers every aspect of space thruster engineering and production. We now seek to build the team by adding a mechanical engineering apprentice to the production team.
Company benefits
- Market salary
- Matched 5% Pension contribution
- Private Medical Insurance
- Enhanced Sick pay + provision of a substantial benefit for long-term ill-health
- Free on-site parking
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Permanent role in Engineering.
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
NAMMO (U.K) LIMITED
Sarah Thorpe
sarah.thorpe@nammo.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000043396.
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