Automation Engineer Apprentice

Transfo Services; Leeds; On-site; GBP 23,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automation and engineering company is seeking an Automation Engineer Apprentice in Leeds. This position involves optimizing and automating manufacturing processes, integrating automation equipment, and ensuring data security. Successful candidates will receive on-the-job training from Schneider Electric and off-the-job training through Cranfield University. Applicants should possess strong communication skills and a willingness to learn about Industry 4.0 technologies. Join a diverse team and develop your engineering capabilities in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Competitive Salary & Attractive Bonus Scheme

Employee Share Ownership Programme

Pension Scheme & Generous Life Assurance

28 Days Annual Leave + Public Holidays

Flexible Working Arrangements

Access to Health & Wellbeing Support

Qualifications

• Understand safe and secure working of automation equipment and cybersecurity compliance.
• Communication protocols for automation equipment.
• Project management skills to deploy new automation activities.

Responsibilities

• Automation system design and integration, from AGV to robots/cobots.
• Ensure data integrity and compliance with cybersecurity.
• Networking & connectivity management.
• Continuous improvement of production processes utilizing Industry 4.0 technologies.

Skills

Understanding of automation equipment

Communication protocols

Project management skills

Adaptability to complex problems

Flexibility in production environment

Inquisitiveness about manufacturing processes

Education

Minimum of 112 tariff points

5 GCSEs including Maths, English, and a STEM subject

A level in Maths at grade B

Job description

Role Title: Automation Engineer Apprentice

Location: Leeds (On‑Site)

Apprentice Level: UK Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship Programme

Salary: £23,000

Role Mission

As an Automation Engineer Apprentice within our digital team focused on manufacturing, your mission is to optimise and automate manual processes, optimise existing automation tools performance, thus playing a pivotal role in advancing our digital manufacturing solutions and driving operational excellence. The Leeds plant of Schneider Electric typically focuses on manufacturing and assembling electrical distribution and control equipment. This may include products such as switchgear, transformers, and various other components that support energy management and automation solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Automation system design and integration, from AGV to robots/cobots and smart torque drivers.
• Ensure data integrity, security and compliance with respect to data golden rules and cybersecurity.
• Networking & connectivity, ensuring uptime of network infrastructure, VLANs etc.
• Continuous improvement of production processes for automation opportunities utilizing Industry 4.0 technologies.

Training

Training Provider: Cranfield University

During your apprenticeship, you will receive two different types of training.

‘On‑the‑job’ training will be delivered by Schneider Electric as your employer. You’ll receive training and supervision to help you perform the job you’ve been hired to do. This will include skills and knowledge that fall outside of the apprenticeship but are needed for the job role. As well as providing ‘on‑the‑job’ training, we support you in additional ways to ensure your success.

Types of support will include:

• A comprehensive induction
• Mentoring or regular one‑to‑one guidance
• Social enrichment and networking opportunities
• Performance reviews
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Feedback opportunities

‘Off‑the‑job’ training is delivered by one of our carefully selected Training Providers during your normal working hours. You will spend at least 20% (average 6 hours per week) of your working hours completing ‘off‑the‑job’ training. This is protected time and is a requirement for apprenticeship delivery. This training will teach you the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship standard so you can achieve occupational competence.

Work Pattern

37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Exact start and finish times are to be agreed upon with the Line Manager. Some of these hours will be allocated to off‑the‑job training as part of your Apprenticeship Programme.

Skills and Attributes

Essential

• Understand safe and secure working of automation equipment and cybersecurity compliance.
• Communication protocols for automation equipment.
• Project management skills to deploy new automation activities.

Desirable

• Adaptable to resolve complex problems.
• Flexible to react to fast‑paced production environment.
• Inquisitive to understand manufacturing processes, Industry 4.0 technologies and how to apply in manufacturing.

Education

Entry to the programme of study is through demonstration of a minimum of 112 tariff points. Applicants must also hold 5 GCSE grades including Maths, English and an additional STEM subject at grades C/4 or above. Disciplines studied post‑GCSE must include any Engineering or relevant STEM subjects (Physics recommended). In addition the required entry tariff, applicants must also have achieved an A level in Maths at grade B.

Previous Experience Required

No pre‑requisite experience required but a demonstrable interest in engineering through school or hobby interests.

Visa Sponsorship

We are unfortunately unable to provide visa sponsorship for our apprenticeship positions. Certain visa types may not meet the eligibility criteria for apprenticeship funding under current government guidelines.

Company Overview

Schneider’s purpose is to create Impact by empowering all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability. At Schneider, we call this Life Is On. Our mission is to be the trusted partner in Sustainability and Efficiency. We are a global industrial technology leader bringing world‑leading expertise in electrification, automation and digitisation to smart industries, resilient infrastructure, future‑proof data centres, intelligent buildings and intuitive homes. Anchored by our deep domain expertise, we provide integrated end‑to‑end lifecycle AI‑enabled Industrial IoT solutions with connected products, automation, software and services, delivering digital twins to enable profitable growth for our customers. We are a people company with an ecosystem of 150,000+ colleagues and more than a million partners operating in over 100 countries to ensure proximity to our customers and stakeholders. We embrace diversity and inclusion in everything we do, guided by our meaningful purpose of a sustainable future for all.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary & Attractive Bonus Scheme
• Employee Share Ownership Programme
• Pension Scheme & Generous Life Assurance
• 28 Days Annual Leave + Public Holidays
• Holiday Buy Programme
• Flexible Working Arrangements (Role Dependent)
• Hybrid Working Arrangements (Role Dependent)
• Access to Health & Wellbeing Support
• Volunteering Opportunities
• Access to Employee Discounts (including Fitness, Shopping & Dining)
• SE Career Hub Portal Access (Portal includes view of internal job opportunities, mentors and projects globally)
• Learning Portal Access (Portal includes content that supports continuous learning)

Let us learn about you! Apply today.

Looking to make an IMPACT with your career?

When you are thinking about joining a new team, culture matters. At Schneider Electric, our values and behaviours are the foundation for creating a great culture to support business success. We believe our IMPACT values – Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, Teamwork – start with us.

IMPACT is also your invitation to join Schneider Electric where you can contribute to turning sustainability ambition into actions, no matter what role you play. It is a call to connect your career with the ambition of achieving a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable world.

We are looking for IMPACT Makers; exceptional people who turn sustainability ambitions into actions at the intersection of automation, electrification and digitisation. We celebrate IMPACT Makers and believe everyone has the potential to be one.

Become an IMPACT Maker with Schneider Electric – apply today!

€36 billion global revenue
+13% organic growth
150 000+ employees in 100+ countries
#1 on the Global 100 World’s most sustainable corporations

You must submit an online application to be considered for any position with us. This position will be posted until filled.

Schneider Electric aspires to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world, by providing equitable opportunities to everyone, everywhere, and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best. We mirror the diversity of the communities in which we operate, and inclusion is one of our core values. We believe our differences make us stronger as a company and as individuals and we are committed to championing inclusivity in everything we do.

At Schneider Electric, we uphold the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we believe that trust is a foundational value. Our Trust Charter is our Code of Conduct and demonstrates our commitment to ethics, safety, sustainability, quality and cybersecurity, underpinning every aspect of our business and our willingness to behave and respond respectfully and in good faith to all our stakeholders. You can find out more about our Trust Charter here.

Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in the areas of recruiting, hiring, training, transferring and promoting all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic or conduct.