Diamond Light Source is currently offering vacancies for a Mechanical Engineering Technician Advanced Apprenticeship to commence in September 2025.

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.

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

This is a four-year programme that starts with working towards a Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship before progressing to a Level 3 Advanced Engineering Technician Apprenticeship.

The Level 2 Apprenticeship is completed in Year One and your time will be split between 3 days at Abingdon & Witney College and 2 days at Diamond each week following a multi-disciplined approach, meaning you will spend time learning the essential skills of electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering. 

In Years 2 to 4, you will undertake day release at Abingdon & Witney College where you will study for the Level 3 Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship specialising in mechanical engineering.  Whilst at Diamond for the remaining days of the week, you will work closely with our experienced Engineering Technicians undertaking comprehensive on the job training across a variety of work placements gaining hands-on-experience in mechanical engineering.

As an Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Approved Scheme, you will also have the opportunity to become professionally registered as an EngTech upon successful completion of the programme.

As competencies 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.

• General work, including 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.

• Competence to undertake mechanical and electrical / electronic fault finding.

• Ensuring that all work is carried out safely and using the correct processes.

• Diagnosing and rectifying faults on a range of circuits and equipment.

• Timely completion of the work relating to the apprenticeship qualifications and completion of the apprenticeship programme.

Key personal attributes required:

• Ability to follow instructions.

• A methodical approach to work and using own initiative.

• Ability to pay close attention to detail.

• Ability to work unsupervised and as part of a team.

• Good communication skills.
• Good problem solving skills.

• To have an interest in science and technology and a commitment to keep up to date with industry developments.

• Good practical skills to work with hand and power tools.

• Good IT knowledge.

• Ability to understand and follow safety rules and regulations.

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

Special requirement: You must be able to make your own travel arrangements to Diamond (at the Harwell Campus) and to Abingdon & Witney College (in Abingdon).

Starting salary: £16,766 per annum (increased annually).

The closing date for applications is 2nd February 2025.