Job Description
As a Calibration Apprentice, you will work within the Facilities Department, responsible for all site services across the Dowty Facilities. Calibration is the discipline that keeps every measurement — pressure, temperature, torque, dimension — accurate and traceable, giving us confidence that our instruments and controls are telling the truth. In an aerospace environment, that accuracy isn't optional: it's what stands between a component and catastrophic failure, so precision here has a direct line to flight safety. The team's focus is 24/7 support of the facility, production areas, and production operations staff, ensuring Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) across our people and products. The Department delivers effective planned calibration across all facilities and production equipment — from hands-on instrument and control systems to complex test rigs — performed both in-house and alongside external partners. As part of a small team operating in a fast-paced, highly regulated aerospace environment, you'll develop real technical expertise early, and you'll need to be self-motivated with the confidence to work autonomously. Role Description The primary purpose of the role is to undertake an apprenticeship 4yr program to achieve Calibration Technician status at Dowty. This program will include attending college and participating in mandatory training courses to develop the technical and practical skills required for the role. Apprentices will gain hands-on experience in maintaining and improving advanced aerospace manufacturing equipment and systems. You will also complete online training as you progress through the apprenticeship. You will be supported by your line manager, plus placement managers, mentors, and the wider apprentice network, to ensure you are meeting the requirements of your course and getting the most out of your apprenticeship. Overview of the scheme Embark on an exciting 4-year journey to kickstart your engineering career, with an additional 6 months dedicated to completing your End Point Assessment (EPA). This program will include attending Gloucestershire Engineering Training College to participating in mandatory training courses to develop the technical and practical skills required for the role. Apprentices will gain hands-on experience in maintaining and improving advanced aerospace manufacturing equipment and systems. In addition, online learning will be provided for the HNC component of learning by Teeside University. This apprenticeship program is designed to provide you with the perfect blend of academic learning and hands-on experience, setting you up for success in the aerospace industry. Year 1: Building Your Foundation Your first year will be spent full-time at college with GET Engineering Training, where you'll gain essential knowledge and skills to prepare you for the workplace. This immersive experience will lay the groundwork for your future success. Year 2: Balancing College and Workplace Learning In your second year, you'll attend college one day per week while spending the rest of your time in the workplace. This is your opportunity to apply what you've learned in a real-world setting, working alongside experienced professionals and contributing to meaningful projects. Year 3: Your third year will include the HNC Instrumentation course. You will study and progress onto the calibration of live equipment. The HNC study is online and done in conjunction with completing your level 3 study. Year 4: Becoming a Key Team Member Your final year is all about diving deeper into the workplace full-time. You'll take on more responsibilities, become an integral part of your department, and actively contribute to the apprenticeship community. During this time, you'll also have dedicated support to complete your HNC and EPA assignments. At the completion of your studies, you will be awarded an HNC certificate of Instrumentation and Control Engineering. Key Responsibilities As an Apprentice you will learn to complete the following duties which is the expectation of a multiskilled technician. Planned Calibration & Maintenance: Learn to perform scheduled calibration checks and Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) on production equipment, instruments, and site services — ensuring measurement accuracy, reliability, and uptime. Equipment Repairs & Adjustment: Diagnose faults in instruments and control systems, carrying out repairs and recalibration with a "First Time Fix" methodology to minimise downtime. Documentation & Traceability: Record calibration results and equipment history in engineering computer systems, maintaining full traceability and completing required quality documentation to meet aerospace standards. Team Collaboration: Provide detailed handovers to engineering colleagues, ensuring calibration status and equipment condition are clearly communicated. Safety Compliance: Adhere to health and safety procedures, maintain a safe working environment, and support initi