Product design and development engineer (degree)
Level 6 · DegreeEngineering and manufacturing 3.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 6 degree apprenticeship develops engineers who design and develop innovative products and systems, combining creative design with engineering rigour from concept through to manufacture. You will work on the full product development lifecycle, applying design thinking, engineering analysis, and prototyping to create market-ready products. It can lead to product engineer, R&D engineer, design manager, or chartered engineer status.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Product design methodologies including design thinking, user research, and co-design
Engineering analysis including stress, thermal, and dynamic calculations
CAD, simulation, and digital engineering tools for product development
Manufacturing processes and design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA)
Materials selection and how material properties influence product performance
Intellectual property, product standards, and regulatory compliance in design
Project management and managing the product development lifecycle
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Develop product concepts through sketching, CAD modelling, and rendering
Conduct engineering analysis and simulation to validate design decisions
Build and test prototypes to verify performance against requirements
Work with manufacturing teams to translate designs into production-ready products
Carry out materials and supplier research to support design decisions
Prepare design documentation including drawings, specifications, and reports
Present design proposals and development updates to internal and external stakeholders
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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