Mechanical Technician Apprentice

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 
Salary: £19,514 per annum (rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 48 months 
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours 
Location:  UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Royal Observatory, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh, EH9 3HJ
Closing Date: Sunday, 3rd May 2026
Interview Date: May 2026 / June 2026 
Start Date: September 2026 

Come and work on the kind of projects that made you want to work in STEM. The UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) is the UK’s national centre for leading-edge astronomical instrumentation and systems. We design and build instrumentation for world-leading astronomy facilities on the ground and in space. Here you will work alongside world-leading scientists, engineers and technologists to develop and build leading-edge scientific instruments.  

We have a friendly and flexible work environment, on a beautiful site combining the historic Royal Observatory Edinburgh architecture with a high-tech engineering facility including modern laboratories and cleanrooms.  

We are currently seeking a Mechanical Apprentice to support the development, manufacture, assembly, test, delivery, installation and commissioning of equipment across various ground-based and space-based astronomy projects.  

About an Apprenticeship at STFC

We’re looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals ready to develop their skills through formal training and hands-on experience. As an apprentice, you’ll gain real-world experience, build technical and professional skills, and contribute to cutting-edge research and innovation in a dynamic, supportive environment.  

You’ll be fully supported throughout the programme with regular check-ins from a dedicated Apprenticeship Coordinator, structured training, practical experience, and mentorship from industry professionals. Plus, you’ll have access to workshops, a peer network, and career development support, helping you feel confident and prepared for new challenges.  

Why join the Engineering Support Group

You’ll be joining a close knit team of highly skilled technicians whose role is to manufacture, assemble, integrate and test all mechanical aspects of the instruments and projects that the UKATC are involved in. This unique environment could mean you are completing varied tasks from manufacturing components within our workshop on a range of manual and CNC machines; inspecting then assembling and testing them in our range of bespoke cryostats and other specialist equipment; to ensure that they function as the astronomers require once commissioned, whether they are ground or space based.   

21 Years of UKATC | Gravitational Waves  

Qualifications gained   

• SVQ 2 Performing Engineering Operations [Manufacture & Maintenance]  
• SCQF Level 5 (NC) in Manufacturing Engineering  
• EAL Diploma in Engineering at SCQF Level 7 [Year 3 & 4 – in the workplace]  
• HNC Engineering Systems or Mechanical Engineering   

What you’ll learn: 

SVQ2 and NC Course content includes:    

• Communication  
• Mathematics: Technician 1  
• Engineering: Applying Information Technology  
• Engineering Systems  
• Mechanical Engineering Principles 
• Computer Aided Draughting (CAD) for Engineers 
• Electrical Principles  
• Process Measurement and Control: An Introduction  
• Engineering Materials  
• Manufacture and Maintenance 
• Hands on skills training 
• Machining Engineering Materials 
• Fitting and Assembly Skills 
• Industrial CNC Machining (within the NC program specifically) 

Add on units which may be included in your course by UKATC: 

• Preparing and Using CNC Machine Tool Programs 
• Preparing and Using CNC Turning Machines 
• Preparing and Using CNC Milling Machines 

 Plus, a range of optional units (specific to company requirements) which may include:  

• Pneumatics and Hydraulics  
• Statics  
• Electronic Test Equipment and Measurement  
• Applications of Programmable Logic Controllers  
• Combinational Logic 

  SCQF Level 7 course content includes:  

Year One  

• Engineering Maths 1 
• Dynamics 
• Thermofluids 
• Quality Management 
• CAD for Engineers  

Year Two  

• Statics and Strength of Materials 
• Communication 
• Engineering Materials Selection 
• Engineering Principles 
• Engineering Maths 2 
• Pneumatics and Hydraulics 
• Mechanical Engineering Graded Unit 1  

Please note: Mechanical Engineering Graded Unit 1 and Engineering Principles can only be completed in Year 2. 

  Training provider 

Edinburgh College (Midlothian Campus)  

Delivery:  

• Year 1: 4 days per week. 2 days cover the SVQ2 learning and 2 days will be studying NC level.  
• Year 2 & 3: 1 day per week to study an HNC.  
• Year 4: Completing the SCQF Level 7 Diploma onsite at the UKATC.  

Midlothian Campus | Edinburgh College – Engineering and Innovation Hub 

Manufacture and Maintenance Engineering PEO SVQ 2 | Edinburgh College 

Engineering Systems NC | Edinburgh College 

SCQF Level 7 - Mechanical Engineering HNC (Enhanced Distance Learning) | Edinburgh College 

What You’ll Be Doing – Day-to-day Responsibilities  

UKATC Mechanical Technicians support the design, development, manufacture, assembly, test, delivery, installation and commissioning of equipment across various ground-based and space-based astronomy projects.   

Specific duties include:   

• Working within the Mechanical Technician Team (Engineering Support Group) under guidance and support of senior technicians. 
• Manufacture and modification of precision mechanical, optomechanical and electromechanical parts and assemblies to defined requirements and standards using a variety of techniques. Including:  Manual machining, CNC machining, hand tools, 3D printing.  
• Inspection, metrology, fitting and alignment of internally and externally sourced precision parts to verify dimensional and geometric tolerancing, and other quality requirements. 
  Using a variety of techniques: visual inspection, inspection tools, CMM, metrology. 
• Support test of parts, assemblies and mechanisms including the use of environmental test facilities, such as vacuum, cryogenic and vibration testing.  
• Assemble and test of parts and assemblies into more complex systems. 
• Doing specialist assembly, inspection and test work within clean room environment. 
• Carry-out operational testing to confirm the compliance of the system to its specifications. 
• Fault finding and rectification of parts and assemblies to support prototype and development activity. Creation of routine documentation in support of safety, quality, and development work, including, participation in risk assessment, test reports, and input to conformance (quality) documentation 
• Integration, test and commissioning of development and completed systems both at UKATC site and occasionally at telescope. 
• Work and collaborate in cross-functional teams across a variety of projects. 
• Participate in continuous improvement activities (including safety and quality). 

  Entry Requirements - Academic and essential criteria 

In order to apply for the role, we are looking for the following:

• Mathematics at National 5 (if you have not studied Maths for some time you might benefit from taking a core maths unit before joining the course) (S) 
• English at National 5 (S) 
• Physics, or another science-related subject (S)
• An awareness of basic health and safety (S)  
• Enthusiastic and motivated to learn, both in the workplace and through formal training (S) 
• Eligibility for SDS funding [student must be resident in Scotland and work in Scotland] and must not have acquired the same/similar qualification offered in the past 3 years. (S)  

Note: Funding is available for age 16-19, 20-24 or 25+ 

You must also demonstrate an interest and some awareness of:  

• Technology (machines) involving mechanical elements (S & I) 
  • Why different geometry or materials might be used  
  • How components are made using modern machine tools  
  • How components are assembled into more complex items (mechanisms or machines)  
  • How mechanisms and machines are tested   
• Interest in practical problem solving e.g. how to make something work (S & I) 
• Safety and quality (S & I) 
• Collaboration and teamwork (S & I) 

Important Information

• To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to evidence passes as detailed in the entry requirements above. For applicants sitting their exams in 2026, we would need evidence of your predicted grades at the point of application. 
• When applying for an apprenticeship, there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met by the applicant. To check your eligibility please click here.
• The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process. If you already have a qualification in this subject area or similar please include, as an attachment, your transcript outlining the grade/s achieved and modules covered.  By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider.

We will be in touch after the closing date, however, please reach out on apprenticerecruitment@ukri.org if you have any questions. 

Employee Benefits

• Your salary will increase annually as you progress through your apprenticeship, in line with policy.
• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
• Flexible working hours.
• An excellent defined average salary pension scheme.
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Cycle to work scheme.

For a list of our full benefits, please visit here.

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y 

How to apply 

Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability and motivation for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert. 

What to include in your application

Your CV should include:

• Your National 5 Maths and English grades (or equivalent) - If your qualifications were obtained outside the UK, please attach your UK ENIC certificate of comparability to show the UK-equivalent level.
• Any other relevant qualifications
• Your skills, experience, or achievements that relate to the role

Your cover letter should:

• Explain why you are interested in this apprenticeship
• Demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria listed in the advert along with your motivation for UKRI/STFC and the role. 
• Highlight any relevant experience, including part-time work, school projects, volunteering, or extracurricular activities

Applications missing a cover letter, educational results/grades (or equivalent), or UK ENIC documentation (where applicable) may not be reviewed.

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.  

Screening

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded.

 We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. 

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what's possible! 

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.  For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.