Research and Development Apprentice (Test Lab)
Brackley, UK
At the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, a group of passionate and determined people work to design, develop, manufacture and race the cars with the aim of fighting for world championships each and every year.
Whether working in our Operations, Technical, Race or Business Support functions, we are all in and aspire to build the greatest team in the history of our sport.
Every individual plays their part. No stone is left unturned in the chase for every tenth of a second. The history of our sport is long and rich, and we are continuing our journey with renewed effort year on year. Record books remember the names of a few, but history is written by the many.
About The Role:
We are seeking a self-motivated individual to join our team as an Apprentice within the Research and Development group. In this position you will be embedded within our Test and Development Laboratory, and you will take a hands-on role in developing our ability to sign-off safety and reliability critical components for use on our race car.
Reporting to a senior member of our technician team, your apprenticeship will provide periods of integration across the different areas of our laboratory environment, and you will be mentored by the subject matter expert for each of these. You will learn the theory and practical skills to:
Manufacture metallic components using our three-axis mill and lathe to enable rapid set up of experiments in the laboratory.
Set up experiments and perform component-level testing of items such as suspension members or pedals, then analyse the data to ensure that the requirements of the test have been met.
By the conclusion of your apprenticeship, be able to take specific ownership of the testing of a system of the car (as examples – this could be the whole braking system, the gearbox lubrication system, etc).
This Apprenticeship will take part at our Formula 1 Campus in Brackley, alongside additional learning at a Technical College. Typically, this would be four days per week in the workplace with one day per week in the classroom setting.
Key Skills to be Developed:
Interpreting technical drawings to British Standard 8888, including a detailed understanding of geometric tolerancing.
The use of CNC and manual machine tools for milling and turning of fixturing to be used for the setup of tests within the laboratory.
Theory and operation of Instron universal testing machines for static and fatigue testing of car components.
The application of sensors and instrumentation to ensure that we acquire high quality data during our experiments.
Data analysis to enable the correct interpretation of information from our data acquisition / telemetry systems.
Knowledge of the design and installation of components within the car that you are testing, which will include working closely with the relevant designer(s).
Appreciation of the other areas of Research and Development, including supporting the needs within both our Dyno and Materials Lab at critical points of the year.
The ability to work safely – both individually and as part of a wider team. As well as working in line with Departmental Risk Assessments, this also includes being proactive at highlighting and resolving concerns in line with our “See it, Say it, Fix it” culture.
Candidate Profile:
The successful candidate will have:
A strong interest in the field of engineering, combined with a curiosity to understand mechanical systems.
Every day is a learning day in Research and Development, so you will bring an open mind to collaborate effectively with your colleagues.
We strive to be a team that consistently wins championships – to do so requires each of us to be self-driven, dependable and flexible.
The ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner is essential – as are the confidence to put your hand up and ask when something is unknown or ambiguous, and the humility to admit mistakes when they arise.
Our Level 3 apprenticeships require the following:
You must have an existing and valid right to work for the duration of the apprenticeship in the UK. Applicants who require a visa to work in the UK should be aware that our apprenticeships are ineligible for sponsorship.
Availability to complete the level 3 apprenticeship up to a 42-month duration
Evidence of having been resident in the UK for 3 years prior to taking up the apprenticeship in September this year or candidates who qualify for an exemption as stated here: Apprenticeship funding rules - GOV.UK
At least 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) with results of 5 and above. Please note that three of the GCSEs must be Maths, Science and English.
We will check you meet the criteria as part of the application process as this will need to be evidenced before you can start the programme.
Benefits:
Our riverside campus is powered by 100% renewably sourced energy and features an on-site gym and exercise studio, subsidised restaurant and on-site parking with EV chargers available.
We offer a competitive and attractive package of benefits including a generous bonus scheme, Mercedes car lease scheme, private medical cover, life assurance and 25 days holiday. We pride ourselves on our family-friendly environment and employee well-being programmes.
Why us:
At the heart of our performance are our people. Every member of our team has a voice and plays their part in contributing to our successes on and off the racetrack. We take pride in creating an innovative, collaborative and high-performance culture where all of our team members are respected, empowered and valued.
Through our Accelerate 25 programme, we are continuously working to make our team even more diverse and inclusive. Whatever your background, we believe that you will find working with us rewarding and enriching.
Your Application:
We will ask you to complete a questionnaire as well as submitting a cover letter and CV. Please upload your cover letter and CV as one single PDF file.
Online Testing:
If you are eligible for the next stage of the application process, you will be required to complete the following tests (if you have not completed them within the last 6 months)
