Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship: Product Design and Development Engineering Apprentice

Summary

We design life-saving technologies for high-rise buildings. Whether its an intercom to call for help or a device that keeps lifts operational, our products are trusted to protect the most vulnerable people. We are looking for a driven, imaginative apprentice to join our Product and Innovation team and begin their career as a design engineer.

Wage

£27,000 a year

Rising to c. £40,000 over 4 years

Training course

Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)

Hours

Full-time, up to 5 days per week on site (at our offices or college). Maidenhead SL6 7RJ (training at Newbury College, RG14 7TD). Hours to be discussed at interview.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

4 years

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

Are you someone who wants to build a safer world through smart, creative design?

At AVIRE, we design life-saving technologies for people in high-rise buildings. Whether it's an intercom that helps someone call for help during a fire, or a device that keeps lifts operational during an emergency, our products are trusted to protect the most vulnerable people in society. We are looking for a driven, imaginative apprentice to join our Product and Innovation team and begin their career as a design engineer.

This is a four-year degree apprenticeship, combining hands-on work at our design centre in Maidenhead with expert tuition from Newbury College. You'll graduate with a university-level qualification, debt-free and ready to step into a career where your ideas make a difference from day one.

You'll join a friendly, international team where you'll be supported to grow your confidence, develop your skills and play a part in designing products that matter.

Learn more about the team you’ll be joining at or read about one of our current apprentices - Madison O’Donoghue’s -story at

What you'll do

Throughout the programme, you'll be immersed in real engineering work - not just observing but contributing from day one. You'll learn how to:

• Design elegant solutions to complex safety challenges - turning early ideas into real products
• Work through the entire design cycle - from sketches and prototypes to fully engineered solutions
• Combine creativity and logic to make products that are not only functional but reliable, manufacturable, and user-friendly
• Use 3D CAD software and simulation tools to test your ideas in the virtual world before they're built
• Collaborate with engineers, manufacturers, and end users to balance performance, safety, and cost
• Troubleshoot and refine designs based on testing and feedback - and feel proud of the final result
• Think like a project manager - plan your time, manage risks, and see things through to delivery
• Understand how global safety standards shape design decisions in the real world
• Contribute to meaningful projects where every detail you shape could one day protect someone's life

This is a job where you'll see your designs brought to life in our labs and on production lines. And you'll do it knowing that every product you help create is designed to protect real people, in real buildings, in moments that matter.

Where you'll work

Unit 1 The Switchback
Gardner Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 7RJ

Training

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

Training provider

NEWBURY COLLEGE

Training course

Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes or operational designs or specifications for products, systems or components to solve engineering challenges such as compliance, technology, technical or physical challenges.
• Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve complex problems and determine appropriate solutions or actions such as Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC), Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) or Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA).
• Collate and use a range of data sources and supporting documentation to support projects.
• Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, project plans, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics using company documentation systems and guidelines.
• Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data or developmental or test evidence.
• Manage assigned projects or programmes of work to meet the required specification, taking into account factors such as resource requirements, safety, quality, cost and performance or sustainability criteria. Apply processes for project or programme management including outcomes such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
• Comply with statutory and organisational safety standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
• Identify resources, such as digital tools or technologies, human, equipment, materials or data, to complete design and development projects or programmes of work.
• Create and manage a project or work programme plan and develop activities in a logical process embedding mechanisms for adapting to changing circumstances or requirements.
• Demonstrate leadership when undertaking product design, development, modification or update engineering activities.
• Identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the design or development process, which may impact the quality and reliability of the product, system or component.
• Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured and checked for safe operation before use.
• Evaluate engineering designs, development or modification options.
• Identify areas for improvement and lead continuous improvement activities in the operation and performance of the product, system or component.
• Complete project documentation checks throughout the activity and report non-conformances.
• Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes or operational designs or specifications for products, systems or components to solve engineering challenges such as compliance, technology, technical or physical challenges.
• Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve complex problems and determine appropriate solutions or actions such as Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC), Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) or Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA).
• Collate and use a range of data sources and supporting documentation to support projects.
• Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, project plans, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics using company documentation systems and guidelines.
• Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data or developmental or test evidence.
• Manage assigned projects or programmes of work to meet the required specification, taking into account factors such as resource requirements, safety, quality, cost and performance or sustainability criteria. Apply processes for project or programme management including outcomes such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
• Comply with statutory and organisational safety standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
• Identify resources, such as digital tools or technologies, human, equipment, materials or data, to complete design and development projects or programmes of work.
• Create and manage a project or work programme plan and develop activities in a logical process embedding mechanisms for adapting to changing circumstances or requirements.
• Demonstrate leadership when undertaking product design, development, modification or update engineering activities.
• Identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the design or development process, which may impact the quality and reliability of the product, system or component.
• Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured and checked for safe operation before use.
• Evaluate engineering designs, development or modification options.
• Identify areas for improvement and lead continuous improvement activities in the operation and performance of the product, system or component.
• Complete project documentation checks throughout the activity and report non-conformances.

Training schedule

This is a four-year degree apprenticeship, combining hands-on work at our design centre in Maidenhead with expert tuition from Newbury College. You'll graduate with a university-level qualification, debt-free and ready to step into a career where your ideas make a difference from day one. 

More training information

You will be required to attend Newbury College/UCN in West Berkshire for one day a week during Term Time for four academic years. Along with AVIRE staff and UCN lecturers, you will also have a Development Coach who will hold regular reviews with you and will support you throughout your apprenticeship.

At the end of your apprenticeship you are required to take an End Point Assessment (EPA) and some aspects of your EPA contributes towards your Degree qualification. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

A Level in:

Mathematics and two STEM subjects (grade ABB (7-9) minimum)

BTEC in:

Engineering National Diploma (grade DDM)

International Baccalaureate in:

Higher Level Mathematics and Science (grade 5 or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Curious
• Thoughtful
• Unsatisfied with first answer
• Enjoys making things better
• Proud to solve problems
• Enjoys working with others
• Values open, honest opinions
• Values purpose, not profit
• Passionate about engineering

Other requirements

• A full UK driving licence
• The right to live and work in the UK
• The ability to be on site in Maidenhead or Newbury up to 5 days per week

Travel and remote working.

This is an on-site role, with one day each week spent at Newbury College during term time. As part of the programme, you'll have the opportunity to visit our teams in Barcelona (Spain), České Budějovice (Czechia), Sussex (Wisconsin, US) and Holmdel (New Jersey, US). Additional travel may be required occasionally, with full support from the business.