Smiths Group
Mechanical Engineering Apprentice

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Company Description
John Crane, a business of Smiths Group, is a global leader in mission-critical flow control solutions for energy and process industries that enable efficient and sustainable operations. Our products include mechanical seals and systems, couplings, filtration systems, and predictive digital monitoring technologies.
We have a global network of more than 200 sites in over 50 countries and employ more than 6,000 people worldwide. We partner with our customers to help them keep their operations safe, reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and meet the latest environmental standards.
John Crane is part of Smiths Group. For over 170 years, Smiths has been pioneering progress by engineering for a better future. We serve millions of people every year, helping to create a safer, more efficient, productive, and better-connected world across four global markets: energy, security & defence, space & aerospace, and general industrial. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs approximately 16,000 colleagues in over 50 countries.
Job Description
We have an opportunity for a Mechanical Engineering Apprentice to join our Engineering Solutions team in Slough. Our Gas Seals Application Engineering team evaluate compressor applications from Major Global customers. They are responsible for understanding and interpreting the customer requirements and then helping our customers identify the correct technical solution for their particular application.
As an Apprentice you will be involved in supporting the application engineering team, working directly with international sales teams and other senior engineers. You will gain a good understanding of gas compression and gas seal design principles, as well as core engineering analysis techniques including CAD design, FEA analysis and basic engineering calculation techniques.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
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During this 4 year programme you will be rotated through and learn from our Innovation and Technology team. This role is based from our headquarters within Slough working Monday to Friday normal office hours.
Education
- You will be enrolled onto the Level 6 Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship which will be delivered one day a week on campus by our training partner: The University of Hertfordshire. If you successfully complete your Apprenticeship, you will be awarded a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Mechanical Engineering.
Learning Opportunities
- Gain practical engineering and testing skills
- Rotations: You will have the opportunity to rotate into our Technology and Innovation team
- Mentorship: Learn from and interact with our innovation & engineering teams
- Professional Development: Develop professional skills such as writing, communication, time management, and teamwork.
- Impactful Work: Have the opportunity to give back to our local community and charity partners
Full training will be given so you will be able to:
- Perform Dry Gas Seal selection from our standard catalogue
- Perform engineering calculations relating to dry gas seals and other technologies
- Conduct a simple FEA analysis utilizing our Ansys software
- Communicate effectively with a global audience of internal stakeholders
- Serve as a technical expert to our sales teams.
- Manage key projects from conception through to completion. Ensuring key milestones are hit and project delivers objectives on time and within cost


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Qualifications
- 5 GCSEs. Grade 5 or above to include English and Maths
- UCAS Points: 120-128. A minimum of three A-Levels at grade B or above, including a maths-based subject and a science, technology or engineering subject or
- An Engineering BTEC Level 3 with at least 120 credits at DM level or above. CTECs and T-Levels also considered or EAL Diploma in an engineering-based subject at D (Distinction) level
Additional Information
We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.
At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)
Grade: 07
Employee Group: Apprentice
Global Region: Europe
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