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Design Technician Apprentice
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SMC is looking for motivated individuals with a genuine passion for engineering and a focus on customer satisfaction. You’ll join our European Technical Centre (ETC), a key hub supporting customers across Europe with product design and technical expertise across a wide range of industries.
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
Responsibilities
- Work alongside experienced engineers to deliver high-quality, responsive technical support.
- Collaborate with SMC teams across Europe, our Engineering Headquarters in Japan, and manufacturing sites in the UK, Italy, and the Czech Republic.
- Ensure designs follow best practice and are ready for efficient production.
- Learn how products are designed, including choosing materials, components, and finishes.
- Build and modify equipment using drawings and step-by-step instructions.
- Understand how pneumatic and electrical systems work and how to design them.
- Test products to make sure they perform well and last over time.
- Use and look after workshop tools and equipment.
- Learn about important safety and industry regulations and how to follow them.
- Support customers by answering questions and helping solve problems.
- Develop confidence in communicating with both technical and non-technical people.
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Requirements
- Motivated and reliable individual with a strong interest in engineering and how things work.
- Good problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn practical and theoretical concepts.
- Basic understanding of maths and science.
- Ability to follow instructions and work safely.
- Team player who can also take initiative when needed.
- Clear communication skills.
- Organisational skills.
- Enthusiasm, commitment, and a positive attitude towards developing skills as part of an engineering apprenticeship.
- Good timekeeping.
- Essential qualifications
- GCSE in Maths (grade 9-5)
- GCSE in English (grade 9-4)
- Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Benefits
- Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training.
- Study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
- Following completion of your apprenticeship, you will become a Junior Engineer and use the skills, knowledge and behaviours gained to support the team in the design, simulation testing and technical support of special and new SMC products.
- SMC champions employee development and following successful completion of your level 3, would be happy to support you on to a level 4 qualification and beyond to continue your development with a plan to successfully move forward in the business.
- Potential future pay increases over time.
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Application Process
- After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.
About SMC
- SMC is a global market leader in pneumatic and automation technology.
- Innovation and customer satisfaction are at the forefront of what we do.
- We have experience in supporting industries such as aerospace, automotive, marine, commercial freight, food production, and beverage.
- Learn more: https://www.smc.eu/en-gb/company/smc_uk
Contact
- MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE
- Sonia Harris
- Apprenticeships@mkcollege.ac.uk
- 01908 637056
- Reference code: VAC2000039438
- Closes in 4 days (Friday 10 July 2026)
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