Engineering Apprentice (Mechanical or Electronics Pathway)

Job summary

We are now seeking talented, creative and motivated individuals to join our mechanical workshops and electronic laboratory facilities as an Engineering Apprentice. These opportunities offer a unique chance to contribute to work you simply cannot do anywhere else.

Dstl provides in‑Government science and technology expertise on some of the most sensitive and nationally important security challenges. We work closely with partners across the Home Office, Department for Transport, Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure, the National Cyber Programme, the Ministry of Defence and the Cabinet Office.

Our mission is to keep the country safe through innovation in science and technology.

All successful candidates will be asked to undertake a colour‑definition assessment. This will not preclude an offer of a place on the apprenticeship.

Your current situation:

You may have never worked in an office, be finishing sixth form, 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 at least 18 years old you can join us as an apprentice.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Job description

As an apprentice at Dstl, you will become part of a supportive team and gain hands‑on experience while contributing to meaningful technical work. Throughout the programme, you will be encouraged to take ownership of your development and make the most of every learning opportunity.

Your training will include:

• Academic classroom‑based learning

• Practical work within an Electronics or Mechanical Engineering workshop

• Structured work placements across a range of technical teams and projects

This combination will give you exposure to diverse engineering challenges and help you build a strong foundation for your future career.

For more information on the Engineering Apprenticeship, please see the candidate pack attached below.

Person specification

We are looking for individuals who demonstrate:

• A genuine interest in Electronic Engineering & TechnologyorMechanical Engineering and Manufacturing

• A desire and ability to learn new concepts

• A passion for problem‑solving and understanding how things work

• The motivation to be part of an innovative, forward‑thinking organisation working on nationally significant challenges

For more information on the essential criteria, please see the candidate pack attached below.

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.

This role will require Developed Vetting and you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

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.

Individuals within DSTL who hold dual nationality and currently hold the required clearance level may apply. If found suitable for the role further security discussions will need to take place before a formal offer can be made.

Qualifications

At least 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4 or above, which must include Maths, English and at least one Science.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £25,470, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £7,378 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/artificial-intelligence-and-recruitment/ .

At the application stage we will be assessing the essential criteria against your submitted application against the essential criteria outlined in the job profile.

Sifting will take place between 24th-27th March with interviews to be held face to face between 13th-30th April at Dstl Porton Down.

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 developed vetting (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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Dstl Recruitment Team
• Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Further information

Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.

Attachments

Engineering Apprentice_Candidate_info_pack Opens in new window (pdf, 5939kB)