Apprentice Systems Engineer

Summary

A budding engineer with an interest in science, electronics and mechanics is needed for this unique role with a small firm in Northwich which manufactures world-class spectrometers, shipped all over the world, for use in gas analysis and measurement.

Annual wage

£15,000 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

(dependent on experience)

Training course

Engineering fitter (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm.

35 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 6 January

Duration

3 years 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

ESS is a very customer-focussed organisation, and the support that we give to our customers is second to none.

As part of a growing team, this role is both rewarding and varied, and there are excellent prospects for career progression, in line with the growth of the company.

The role involves the build and repair of Mass Spectrometer Systems (both “standard” and bespoke products), and includes wiring, electronics set up, identification of faults and testing to specification.

The job also involves goods in and goods out and general housekeeping.

The role will encompass the writing (and adapting existing) software scripts to interface the instrumentation into process control applications with full training provided.

The software part of the role may include;

API Development: Assist in creating and managing simple APIs for receiving sensor data and ensuring smooth data flow between instruments and analytics platforms.
AI Integration for Business: Implement AI solutions, particularly in marketing automation and customer engagement, streamlining processes using tools like chatbots or AI-driven marketing campaigns.
Custom Instrument Control: Use applications like LabVIEW to design and maintain custom software for controlling instruments, improving operational efficiency.
Microcontroller Programming: Program microcontrollers in Python and C++ to enhance hardware control and data collection for instruments.
Website Maintenance: Regularly update and optimise the company website, ensuring it reflects current offerings and supports SEO best practices.
Data Analytics & Telemetry: Manage a central server that collects and analyse data from remote instruments, improving performance monitoring through telemetry services.

Where you’ll work

DENTON DRIVE

NORTHWICH

CW9 7LU

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

Your training course

Engineering fitter (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
Reporting work outcomes or issues.
Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
Operating within limits of responsibility.
Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
Reporting work outcomes or issues.
Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
Operating within limits of responsibility.
Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.

Your training plan

The apprenticeship role is to successfully complete the Engineering Fitter Apprenticeship Standard Level 3, the training for which will be delivered by Cheshire College South & West.

If you do not already hold GCSEs at grade A*-C / 9-4 in English and Maths you will complete Functional Skills in the related subjects to attain Level 2 Functional Skills.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Logical
Ability to learn on the job
Practical
Methodical
Punctual
Honest and reliable
Polite and friendly
Conscientious
Hardworking
Interest in Mechanics
Interest in Science
Interest in Electronics

About this company

European Spectrometry Services (ESS) are a small team of highly experienced and precision manufacturers of mass spectrometers, used in gas analysis and measurement. The company works in partnership with its valued customers to design and develop often bespoke, world-class instrumentation which are exported internationally. They also offer training so their customers can get the most out of their specific model of spectrometer. The company was founded in 1994 by two experienced spectrometer engineers and then taken over by the now managing director in 2007 who has worked in the firm since 2002. It is now joint owned with the current Finance Director since 2010. ESS has a wide customer base including Universities, Blue Chip Companies and Local Authorities. They trade within the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, North America and Benelux countries.

https://www.essco.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

A full-time role, potentially tailored to the interests of the apprentice, will be on offer after successful completion of the apprenticeship.

After satisfactory completion of training, the successful applicant will be involved in travelling to customers' sites to repair and service equipment and install and commission new equipment. This involves some international travel.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

Stephanie Robyn - Cheshire College South and West

stephanie.robyn@ccsw.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000288272.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 4 December at 11:59pm)

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