Product Design and Development Engineer - Degree Apprenticeship

Knowledge

By the end of their apprenticeship, your apprentice should understand:

• Health, safety, environmental and sustainability standards, including risk management, hazardous environments and their implications on product design and development.
• Applies core engineering principles in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, mechanical systems and electrical/electronic theory to support product design and performance.
• Demonstrates knowledge of material properties, selection criteria and how constraints such as cost, safety and environment impact engineering decisions.
• Understands the full product development lifecycle, from concept through testing, manufacturing and final delivery, including modification and change control processes.
• Proficient in mathematics, analytical methods and scientific modelling used in data interpretation and problem solving.
• Familiar with digital tools and technologies including CAD, CAM, CAE and simulation software such as FEA or AR, and how they support the design and development process.
• Recognises how business, commercial and quality assurance factors—including lean principles and project delays—impact engineering outcomes.
• Understands project management approaches, organisational processes, documentation systems and continuous improvement strategies.

Skills

Your apprentice will learn how to:

• Convert conceptual ideas or requirements into practical design or development outcomes, using analytical and problem-solving techniques.
• Select and apply digital tools, engineering software and physical test equipment to design, simulate, validate, and improve products or systems.
• Manage or contribute to projects and programmes, ensuring deliverables meet safety, performance, cost, quality and sustainability targets.
• Create and interpret technical documentation, including 2D/3D CAD drawings, models, test data and reports using company-approved systems.
• Identify and resolve faults or inaccuracies during design and testing, taking appropriate corrective actions and escalating when required.

Apply structured methods (e.g. FMEA, DMAIC, PDCA) to assess and resolve engineering problems and support design optimisation.

• Collect, analyse and present data to inform design, track progress or validate system/component performance.
• Lead or contribute to continuous improvement activities by identifying efficiency, performance, or quality enhancements.

Behaviours

Your apprentice should be able to:

• Champion a culture of health, safety and compliance, acting with responsibility and professionalism.
• Demonstrate integrity, sound judgement and ownership of decisions and outcomes.
• Embrace continuous professional development and lifelong learning to maintain technical currency.
• Work collaboratively and respectfully with others, promoting teamwork and knowledge sharing.
• Communicate openly and honestly, building strong working relationships across disciplines.
• Maintain flexibility, resilience, and focus when facing change, challenges or uncertainty.
• Show a strong commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.
• Act as a role model for ethical behaviour and upholds organisational values and goals.

Expert Tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. This is especially important for apprenticeships where off-the-job training needs to align with apprentices' on-the-job experience.