Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Salary: £19,514 per annum
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.
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)
* 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
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)
o Why different geometry or materials might be used
o How components are made using modern machine tools
o How components are assembled into more complex items (mechanisms or machines)
o 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.
* 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.
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.
We will be in touch after the closing date. Please check your eligibility to work in the UK at https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y.
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