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Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
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Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
Location: Warrington (WA3 6YF)
Company: CAVENDISH NUCLEAR LIMITED
Closing Date: Monday 7 December 2026
Posted On: 15 October 2026
Summary
Join our Cavendish Nuclear business and build a career that truly matters. Over this 4-year programme, you’ll study towards a BEng (Hons) in Professional Engineering (Product Design) while gaining hands-on experience on initiatives that support the safe delivery of nuclear new build and decommissioning projects.
Wage: £23,598 a year
Training Course: Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. 35 hours a week
Start Date: Wednesday 1 September 2027
Duration: 4 years
Positions Available: 2
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
As a Mechanical Engineering Apprentice at Cavendish Nuclear, you’ll join a collaborative and experienced team working across all phases of the engineering lifecycle. Whether you’re supporting new build or decommissioning projects, you’ll play a vital role in the UK’s civil nuclear sector helping to deliver national energy resilience, meet net zero commitments, and safely clean up the nuclear legacy.
You’ll work on a variety of nuclear projects, from developing new technologies and maintaining essential systems to extending the life of vital infrastructure. Your day-to-day activities will include hands-on experience with Computer Aided Design (CAD), 3D modelling, mechanical calculations, and producing engineering documentation to national and international standards. You’ll support operational teams, resolve technical issues, and inform decisions that impact real-world outcomes.
As part of your role, you’ll define design requirements, develop 3D CAD models, produce detailed engineering drawings, and carry out scoping calculations. You’ll also prepare equipment specifications, technical reports, and help manage plant and equipment obsolescence to ensure systems remain safe and reliable.
Supporting assembly, testing, and operational teams, you’ll offer technical guidance, resolve engineering queries, and manage nonconformance issues, while gaining exposure to advanced engineering tools such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software.
Based at one of our key sites in Warrington, you’ll support major projects at locations like Sellafield. You’ll begin by shadowing experienced engineers, building a strong foundation in design, modelling, calculations, and documentation. As you develop, you’ll take on more complex tasks and gain valuable experience across the full design lifecycle.
Every drawing, design, or calculation you contribute to plays a part in protecting people, the environment, and the nation’s energy future. Throughout your apprenticeship, you’ll be surrounded by supportive mentors and experienced engineers who are invested in your growth. You’ll be part of a wider emerging talent community, sharing experiences and learning alongside other apprentices across the business. You’ll be trusted to take ownership of your development and supported every step of the way as you turn theory into real-world impact.
Where you'll work
Warrington WA3 6YF
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training Provider: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Training Course: Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)
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What you'll learn
- 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 have 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
You will study towards the Product Design and Development Engineer (Degree) Apprenticeship standard through the University of Lancashire. Your training will be delivered through a blended learning model that combines in-person and online teaching. Each semester begins with a three-day block of face-to-face delivery, followed by weekly online sessions throughout the term. This structure is designed to support both academic learning and practical application. The programme is tailored for engineers involved in product development and integrates key disciplines such as materials science, computer-aided design (CAD), systems integration, and prototyping. It focuses on equipping learners to create fit-for-purpose solutions in regulated environments.
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Upon successful completion, you will be awarded a BEng (Hons) in Professional Engineering (Product Design) and a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship qualification.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in: Any Subject (grade C), English (grade C), Maths (grade C), Science (grade C)
- A Level in: Maths (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
- IT skills
- Organisation skills
- Analytical skills
Other requirements
Many of our programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search ‘United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels.’
Under applicable national security legislation, this post may only be occupied by a sole UK national. This legal requirement is independent of our recruitment policies, and all eligible applicants will be assessed fairly and without discrimination.
About this employer
Babcock is an international defence, aerospace, and security company operating in our focus countries of the UK, Australasia, Canada, France, and South Africa, with exports to additional markets with potential to become focus countries. We meet our customers’ key requirements of affordability, availability, and capability by delivering engineering, support, and critical systems to defence and civil markets.
Company benefits
- Fully funded qualification
- Personal development training and opportunities
- 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
- Competitive pension scheme
- Employee share scheme
- Flexible benefits
- 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.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab). It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real-world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career.
Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face-to-face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Reference Code: VAC2000058711
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