Mechanical Engineering Technician Advanced Apprenticeship

Mechanical Engineering Technician Advanced Apprenticeship

Starting salary: £17,395 per annum (increased annually – Year 2: £20,005, Year 3: £23,004, Year 4: £26,456)

Diamond Light Source is currently offering vacancies for a Mechanical Engineering Technician Advanced Apprenticeship to commence in September 2026.

About us

As one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world, Diamond provides the opportunity to work and learn within an exciting and unique working environment with a vast array of scientific research that really does make a difference in shaping and changing the world and our understanding of it.

About the role

Our technicians are a vital and integral part of Diamond and the work that is undertaken here.

Our four‑year programme works towards a Level 3 Advanced Engineering Technician Apprenticeship, specialising in mechanical engineering while working at Diamond.

Year 1: You will spend your first year full‑time at Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) in Culham. Training will be delivered in blocks of 4–6 weeks by OAS and will rotate with supplementary training also delivered at OAS. This will provide a multi‑disciplined foundation, covering essential skills in electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering.

Year 2: You will be based at Diamond, undertaking rotational placements with our experienced Engineering Technicians. Throughout the year, you will also attend 4–6 week training blocks at OAS to continue building your technical knowledge.

Years 3–4: You will work full‑time at Diamond, gaining comprehensive on‑the‑job training across a variety of placements. This hands‑on experience will allow you to further develop your skills in mechanical and electrical engineering, preparing you for a career as an Engineering Technician.

You will also have the opportunity to become professionally registered as an EngTech upon successful completion of the programme.

As your knowledge and skills develop, the role will expand to include the following responsibilities:

• Mechanical and electrical assembly and installation of bespoke, prototype, high‑tech equipment.
• Work on electro‑mechanical aspects of the scientific instrumentation including racks and field equipment and installation of motors and electrical sensors for items such as vacuum, pneumatics, water flow and temperature monitoring.
• Assembling, testing, maintaining and upgrading existing beamline equipment.
• Assisting in design, installation and commissioning of further specialist beamline equipment.
• Electrical cabling, designing and building simple mechanical devices.
• Assisting Diamond scientists with user experiments.
• Carrying out regular inspection of installed equipment to comply with safety regulations.
• Mechanical and electrical / electronic fault finding.
• Ensuring that all work is carried out safely.
• Diagnosing and rectifying faults on a range of circuits and equipment.

About you

To be considered for a Diamond apprenticeship you will demonstrate:

• Good practical skills to work with hand and power tools.
• An interest in science and technology and a commitment to keep up to date with industry developments.
• A methodical approach to work and using your own initiative.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Attention to detail.
• Good communication skills.
• Good problem‑solving skills.
• Good IT knowledge.
• Ability to understand and follow safety rules and regulations.Ability to work unsupervised and as part of a team.

Qualifications required: You must have achieved (or be expecting) four GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade C/4, including Mathematics and English.

You must be able to make your own travel arrangements to Diamond (at the Harwell Campus) and to Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (in Culham).

To apply

Applications must be submitted to Oxfordshire Advanced Skills via this link: Apply | OAS. Applications made via the Diamond \’Apply Now\’ button will not be accepted.

The closing date for applications is 1st March 2026.

Suitable applicants will be invited to an assessment day at OAS on either February 12 or March 11, potentially followed by an interview at Diamond during week commencing 20 April, which will include the requirement to demonstrate your skills through a previous home or school / college project that you have worked on.