Engineering technician

AWE plc; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm based in Farnborough is seeking a Quality Inspector Apprentice. This role involves inspecting mechanical and electrical components and developing skills within a vocational training environment. Over 3 years, you will achieve a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering and progress into a quality inspector role. The apprenticeship offers a starting salary of £16,750, generous holiday entitlement, and numerous employee benefits.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement of 270 hours a year

Employee discounts portal

Employee Assistance Programme

Occupational Health Services

Qualifications

• Applicants must be aged 16 or over, as of 31st August 2026 due to security clearance requirements.
• Must be a British National to apply for a role with us.
• Consider applying for a degree level apprenticeship if you hold a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering or similar.

Responsibilities

• Inspect various mechanical and electrical components in a production environment.
• Work to process written procedures and interpret requirements from drawings.
• Develop basic knowledge and core skills in the Skills Academy.

Skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Problem solving skills

Number skills

Analytical skills

Logical

Team working

Creative

Initiative

Patience

Education

GCSEs: 5 x including English and Maths (grade 4 or above)

Science (grade 4 or above)

Job description

Overview

As a Quality Inspector Apprentice your role will include inspection of various mechanical and electrical components that are used within a production or trials environment, working to process written procedures and using your knowledge and experience to interpret requirements directly from drawings. You will initially be based within the Skills Academy for the first 18 to 24 months, where you will develop your basic knowledge and core skills, such as hand fitting, machining and measuring, before progressing on to the onsite aspect of your training. At this point you will start to apply and further develop these core skills in a live working environment. In addition to the vocational aspects of your training, we will further your knowledge of Quality through academic studies as you work towards the completion of a Level 3 Engineering and manufacturing support technician apprenticeship which includes a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technologies. Following completion of your apprenticeship and subject to business need and your career aspirations, you will outturn into a quality inspector role within one of the areas of AWE.

Qualifications

• GCSEs: 5 x including English and Maths (grade 4 or above)
• Science (grade 4 or above)
• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Patience

Applicants must be aged 16 or over, as of 31st August 2026 due to security clearance requirements. You must be a British National to apply for a role with us. If you currently hold a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering or similar, you should consider applying for a degree level apprenticeship.

Start date and hours

Start Date: Tuesday 1 September 2026. Hours: 9 day fortnight. 33 hours on the short week, 8 hours 15 minutes per day; 41 hours on the long week, 8 hours 15 minutes per day Monday to Thursday and Fridays 8 hours. Hours may alter due to College training times.

Duration: 3 years 9 months

Salary and benefits

£16,750 a year. A starting salary of £16,750 yearly, increasing to £23,500 in Year 2 and annually throughout your apprenticeship - subject to meeting key milestones and performance expectations. Generous holiday entitlement of 270 hours a year (inclusive of Bank Holidays) plus every other Friday off. Access to employee discounts portal, Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.

Training course

Engineering technician (level 3)