Electronics Technician Apprentice

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Salary: 19514 per annum(rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)
Contract Type:Fixed-Term 48 months
Hours: Full-time 37 hours
Location: Daresbury Laboratory Keckwick Lane Daresbury WA4 4AD
Closing Date: Sunday 2nd February 2026
Interview Date: Allocated between 9th to 13th March
Start Date: September 2026

Are you inspired by the idea of creating and contributing to the worlds most advanced research facilities

Could you be the newest member of our team where every day brings new challenges and your work makes a real impact

Joining the Accelerator Diagnostics and Instrumentation Group (ADIG) at STFCs Accelerator Science and Technology Centre (ASTeC) means becoming part of a team that builds the technology behind world-leading particle accelerators. Our highly skilled electronic technicians and apprentices support cutting-edge research by designing fabricating and assembling advanced electronic systems. Youll have the chance to take full ownership of your projects from liaising with researchers and engineers to creating prototypes assembling circuits and testing final units.

Youll also operate our in-house rapid prototyping facilities which include on-site circuit board manufacturing and additive manufacturing (3D printing) giving you hands-on involvement from concept to completion. Beyond supporting ASTeCs test facilities the team contributes to major international collaborations at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory CERN and the European Spallation Source meaning your work will help shape the tools used at some of the most advanced scientific sites in the world.

About an apprenticeship at STFC

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

Youll 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 youll have access to workshops a peer network and career development support helping you feel confident and prepared for new challenges.

Why join the ADIG Electronics Workshop team at STFC

The Electronics Workshop Team is a proactive and friendly group that works closely with researchers and engineers to solve a wide variety of challenges in support of STFCs mission to advance accelerator science. Being part of the Accelerator Instrumentation and Diagnostics group within ASTeC our team helps design build and maintain the electronics that enable scientists to operate particle accelerators safely and effectively. Key projects include devices such as Beam Position Monitors and YAG cameras which are essential for precise beam diagnostics.

The workshop also supports other groups across the site and externally constantly presenting new technical challenges that push creativity skill and knowledge. Our facilities allow the team to work on a broad range of R&D projects from multi-layer circuit design and 3D prototyping to resin casting moulds for custom ultra-high vacuum connectors. This variety ensures every project is engaging hands-on and impactful.

Learn more about the role as an apprentice electronics technician:

Meet an apprentice Electrical Engineering

Qualifications gained

• L3 Engineering Maintenance TechnicianApprenticeship Qualification (seeEngineering maintenance technician - single discipline / Skills Englandfor furtherinformation)
• L4 HNC (Optional)

Professional Recognition

• Thisapprenticeship aligns with Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for Engineering Technician (EngTech)
• Thisapprenticeship aligns with The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) for Engineering Technician (EngTech)

What Youll Learn

• Maintain and promote work site health safety and environmental compliance. For example conduct risk assessments and follow emergency procedures.
• Liaise with stakeholders on maintenance work. For example pre-job briefings to plan work to co-ordinate work with other maintenance disciplines and to provide technical and regulatory advice.
• Prepare for engineering maintenance work. For example organise resources obtain supplies of consumables and order parts.
• Review job requirements and accept. For example accept safe system of work or permit to work.
• Ensure work meets regulatory industry and company quality standards.
• Conduct post job close out. For example sign-off job handover engineeringplantand equipment.
• Complete engineering maintenance records to company requirements. For example job reports stock control records and fault-finding reports.
• Contribute to improvement activities. For example support alternative ways of working to improve safety reliability sustainability reduce cost or drive efficiency. Complete continued professional development.
• Conduct planned preventative and reactive maintenance on electrical/electronic/control and instrumentation aspects of plant equipment and systems.
• Conduct fault diagnosis and problem solving on electrical/electronic/ control and instrumentation plant equipment and control systems.
• Remove and replace electrical/electronic/ control and instrumentation plant equipment and systems.
• Conduct inspection examination and testing of electrical/electronic plant/ control and instrumentation equipment and systems.
• Ensure availability and performance of electrical maintenance/control and instrumentation tools and equipment.

Training provider

Riverside and Cronton College: Click here for link to provider website

ApprenticeshipDelivery

Year 1:you will spend the first full year(during term time only)with the education half term breaks you will be back on sitewithin the ASTeC Groupat Daresbury Laboratory.

Years2 to 4: you will spend 4 days per week withintheASTeCGroupat Daresbury Laboratory and the 5thday will be spentwith the education provider.

Note There will be regular one-to-one coaching sessions with an assessor.

What Youll Be Doing Day-to-day responsibilities

As part of the team youll get hands-on experience designing and routing printed circuit boards reading wiring diagrams using CAD software and CNC machines along with building and testing prototype equipment to meet design specifications. Youll fabricate parts and enclosures using a range of hand and machine tools carry out fault finding and modifications and solder both SMT and through-hole components. Youll also gain experience in 3D design and additive manufacturing laser engraving and making cable harnesses.

In this role you will often be assigned your own projects to manage and complete giving you the chance to take ownership from start to finish. At the same time support is always available every member of the team is ready to guide you ensuring that no one ever struggles alone. Youll develop practical skills confidence and teamwork while contributing to exciting cutting-edge projects.

Entry Requirements

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S) Interview (I) or both (S&I).

We are looking for the following:

• GCSEs in at least 4 subjects to include Maths and English (Grade 4/C or above)and at least one additional STEM related subject (S)
• An awareness of basic health and safety (I)
• Enthusiastic and motivated to learn both in the workplace and through formal training (I)
• A strong and demonstrable interest in science engineering and technology (S&I)
• Ability to problem solve (S&I)
• Clear oral and written communication skills (S&I)
• Proactive and self-motivated able to work effectively as part of a team and work independently (S&I)
• Ability to demonstrate some basic technical engineering knowledge and skill (I)
• Ability to follow instructions including technical instructions in English (I)
• Ability to demonstrate some basic electronic engineering knowledge and skills (S&I)

Important Information

• To complete the apprenticeship you will need to evidence 4x passes at 9-4 or A*-C in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths English and one further STEM related subject and one subject of any discipline. For those sitting their GSCEs in Summer 2026 we would need evidence of your predicted grades.
• 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 if you have any questions.

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

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 visithere.

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: to apply

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

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

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 Europes largest research organisations by your side Join us and discover whats possible!