Research and Development Apprentice (Test Lab)

MERCEDES-BENZ GRAND PRIX LTD

Northamptonshire (NN13 7BD)

Closes in 3 days (Wednesday 23 April 2025)

Posted on 4 April 2025


Summary

We are seeking a self-motivated individual to join our team as an Apprentice within the Research and Development group. In this position you will be embedded within our Test and Development Laboratory, and you will take a hands-on role in developing our ability to sign-off safety and reliability critical components for use on our race car.

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 08:30 - 17:30.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

3 years 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

  • Interpreting technical drawings to British Standard 8888, including a detailed understanding of geometric tolerancing.
  • The use of CNC and manual machine tools for milling and turning of fixturing to be used for the setup of tests within the laboratory.
  • Theory and operation of Instron universal testing machines for static and fatigue testing of car components.
  • The application of sensors and instrumentation to ensure that we acquire high quality data during our experiments.
  • Data analysis to enable the correct interpretation of information from our data acquisition / telemetry systems.
  • Knowledge of the design and installation of components within the car that you are testing, which will include working closely with the relevant designer(s).
  • Appreciation of the other areas of Research and Development, including supporting the needs within both our Dyno and Materials Lab at critical points of the year.
  • The ability to work safely – both individually and as part of a wider team. As well as working in line with Departmental Risk Assessments, this also includes being proactive at highlighting and resolving concerns in line with our “See it, Say it, Fix it” culture.

Where you’ll work

Operations Centre
Brackley
Northamptonshire
NN13 7BD

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE

Your training course

Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents
  • Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
  • Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
  • Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
  • Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
  • Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
  • Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
  • Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
  • Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
  • Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
  • Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
  • Follow standard operating procedures.
  • Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
  • Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
  • Carry out and record learning and development activities.
  • Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
  • Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
  • Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
  • Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
  • Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
  • Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
  • Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
  • Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
  • Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
  • Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
  • Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
  • Follow standard operating procedures.
  • Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
  • Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
  • Carry out and record learning and development activities.
  • Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.

Your training plan

This apprenticeship will take part at our Formula 1 Campus in Brackley, alongside additional learning at a Technical College. Typically, this would be four  days per week in the workplace with one day per week in the classroom setting.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • Additional GCSE (grade 5-9)
  • Additional GCSE (grade 5-9)
  • English (grade 5-9)
  • Maths (grade 5-9)
  • Science (grade 5-9)

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

  • Attention to detail
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

About this company

At the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, a group of passionate and determined people work to design, develop, manufacture and race the cars with the aim of fighting for world championships each and every year. Whether working in our Operations, Technical, Race or Business Support functions, we are all in and aspire to build the greatest team in the history of our sport. Every individual plays their part. No stone is left unturned in the chase for every tenth of a second. The history of our sport is long and rich, and we are continuing our journey with renewed effort year on year. Record books remember the names of a few, but history is written by the many.

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

  • To continue to grow and develop as part of the team.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

MERCEDES-BENZ GRAND PRIX LTD

Maddie Saunders

msaunders@mercedesamgf1.com

01280844000

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000313861.

Apply now

Closes in 3 days (Wednesday 23 April 2025)

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.