About the job

Job summary

• Are you a practical individual seeking a new opportunity in engineering?
• Are you enthusiastic about learning electronics or mechanics?

If so, an Engineering Fitter Level 3 Apprenticeship is for you.

Join Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to launch your engineering career within our electronic laboratories or mechanical workshops – as well as spending time at our training provider.

You will share our values collaboration, innovation and impact which are at the heart of everything we do. Your contributions will support vital research and development that helps keep our nation safe.

Electronics or Mechanical?

Your pathway (influenced by you) will determine the skills you learn.

If electronics, you will learn about circuit designs, microelectronics and use of test equipment. If mechanical, your learning will include bench fitting, engineering drawing and welding. Discover what each pathway entails in our job profile attached on Civil Service Jobs.

Your current situation?

You may be finishing college, leaving the armed forces, looking for a career change or not enjoying your current studies. No matter what your current situation is, if you are over 18 years old you can become part of our Engineering Fitter cohort starting in September 2024. Interested and not sure which pathway you should take? Please still apply!

After the apprenticeship

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship and being able to demonstrate the required behaviours you will be supported in applying for a permanent position at Dstl, which will include further career development opportunities according to the role. You may also decide to undertake another apprenticeship.

Job description

• Join a group of likeminded apprentices in Counter-Terrorism & Security (CTS), contributing to projects that make a real difference
• Develop, learn and study whilst working in our workshops and facilities and at the training provider
• Embrace new experiences as you work with friendly colleagues in placements designed to enhance your growth
• Use safe working practices ensuring that you and your colleagues report on any unsafe practices, no matter how big or small. You will, follow safety guidelines, respecting and contributing to a strong Dstl safety culture.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

• A genuine interest in studying mechanicals and/or electrical engineering
• Enthusiasm about undertaking practical tasks
• The desire and the ability to learn new concepts

You will possess these essential skills:

• A drive for problem solving and understanding how and why things work
• Good communication

You may also have these desirable skills:

Electrical Pathway

• An interest and/or experience in coding/software programming
• An understanding of Radio Frequency (RF)
• An understanding of domestic electrics
• Knowledge of programmable logic controllers (PLCs)

Mechanical Pathway

• An interest and/or experience in Engineering and Mechanics (eg. motor vehicle, machining or design)
• An understanding of resistant materials

 

If you don’t meet all the desirable skills, which include hobbies – you are still encouraged to apply!

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

 This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. You must be 18 in September 2024 to undertake this apprenticeship.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £21,131, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £5,705 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.

Applications will be reviewed the week commencing 19th February 2024 and interview will take place from March 2024.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.