Engineering – Trades and Mechanical Design Apprenticeship
| Posting date: | 25 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 17 February 2026 |
| Location: | Thurso, KW14 7AN |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | HIJOBS |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 386671 |
Summary
Dounreay is working at the forefront of nuclear decommissioning, waste management and environmental restoration. The people we train today will have the opportunity to be involved in some of the most exciting technical projects in the world and to develop skills which will be increasingly needed both at Dounreay and in other areas of industry
- Electrical
- Mechanical
- Control & Instrumentation
- Mechanical Design
The engineering apprenticeship is a comprehensive training programme lasting up to 4 years. It starts with a year of engineering foundation training at UHI NWH (Thurso) followed by up to 3 years of training and work experience at Dounreay and other locations, with day release for academic studies. The programme leads to an SCQF Level 7 SVQ in an engineering discipline and requires you to gain a Higher National Certificate in Engineering Systems.
What do I do?
Working alongside our experienced trade staff on a range of maintenance and project work, gaining knowledge and experience to work independently within the appropriate discipline whilst attending UHI North, West & Hebrides by day release.
- Electrical – Precision installation of all forms of containment, cabling and plant as well as routine maintenance and breakdown repairs on all forms of industrial plant
- Mechanical - maintaining mechanical plant and equipment including cranes, pumps, hydraulic and steam systems, also machining/fabricating to produce quality mechanical components by turning, milling, cutting, bending and welding all to exact engineering drawings
- Control & Instrumentation - Maintenance, repair, installation and commissioning of radiological instruments, process equipment, security systems, networks and heating/ventilation systems: working with temperature, pressure, flow and electronics
- Mechanical Design - Initially gaining experience alongside our trades staff before moving to work with the design office team, producing and updating drawings using CAD and 3-D modelling whilst attending UHI North, West & Hebrides by day release.