Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprentice
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Company: UK Research and Innovation
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Location: Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD
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Type: Apprenticeship
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Salary: £19,514.00 per year
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Sector: Engineering and manufacturing
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Ref: NAS-2000033337
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Application Deadline Date: 28/06/2026
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Start Date: 14/09/2026
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Positions Available: 1
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Working Week: Monday - Friday (Times to be concerned).
Brief Description
The Medical Research Council’s Mary Lyon Centre (MLC) based at Harwell has a vacancy for a Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship. You’ll work alongside expert engineers who will mentor and support you and build skills that open doors to a rewarding career in engineering where every day is different.
Training to be Provided
You will undertake your apprenticeship training with Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS), developing engineering maintenance competencies in both electrical and mechanical maintenance knowledge, skills and behaviours.
In partnership with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and OAS you will also have the opportunity to undertake the QuEST programme building a strong foundation in high-value skills such as:
- Scientific Vacuum Technology and Cryogenics
- Precision fitting, milling and turning
- High purity gas systems and machine welding
Throughout the apprenticeship you will gain hands-on experience in world-class facilities, helping to maintain the equipment and facilities that support cutting-edge science and innovation whilst building skills that will open doors to a rewarding career in Engineering.
Programme Structure:
- Year 1: Block-release training at OAS in Culham, rotating through 4-6 week blocks combined with on-the-job training at the MLC
- Year 2: Continued block-release training at OAS supplemented with QuEST modules delivered by STFC staff in collaboration with UKAEA, covering technologies for Quantum, Fusion and high-tech engineering. On-the-job training at the MLC
- Year 3-4: Fully embedded in the workplace, applying your skills in real-world engineering environments as you progress toward becoming a qualified Engineering Technician
Travel to OAS is required, with excess costs covered.
Future Prospects
Potential for ongoing employment within MRC / UKRI beyond the apprenticeship, subject to performance.
Vacancy Detail
The support of scientific research through high-quality technical skills and training is paramount to robust, reproducible research. In genetics science we are faced with the challenge of unravelling and ultimately developing therapies for many human diseases. Central to all scientific progress is the delivery of high-quality technical support.
As an engineering maintenance apprentice at the Mary Lyon Centre, the appointed individual will gain experience. They will learn to maintain and install many different engineering systems, including but not limited to:
- Air Handling Plant
- Hot & Cold Water Piped Systems
- Low Temperature Hot Water Boilers
- Steam Boilers & Associated Plant
- Robotic Cage Cleaning & Automation Process Equipment
- Low Voltage Electrical Systems
- Building Management System Controls monitoring
Throughout the apprenticeship, the successful candidate will work with our in-house team of experienced engineers to deliver first-class levels of service and maintenance to one of the world’s leading facilities in animal research.
Other Information
To be eligible to be considered for the apprenticeship programme you must:
- Have evidence of 5 GCSE including Maths and English GCSE at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent i.e. Level 2 Functional Skills)
- Have lived in the UK and/or EU for 3 consecutive years prior to the apprentice start date. Please check your eligibility here
- Confirm that this apprenticeship offers substantive new skills and knowledge and that you have not already achieved an equivalent or higher-level qualification in a similar or related subject. If you already hold a Level 3 Engineering qualification i.e. BTEC Extended Diploma, or an Engineering T-Level, please include as an attachment your transcript(s) outlining the grade(s) achieved and modules covered
As part of our shortlisting process, we may be required to determine your eligibility to undertake the programme based on the information provided within your application. By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider.