Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

2027 Hardware Engineering Apprentice – Level 6 Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

Start Date: Monday 6 September 2027

Salary: £24,000 per annum

Employee Type: Permanent

Location: Crawley

Working Schedule: 37 hours a week, Monday – Thursday 8 hours a day, Friday 5 hours (Flexible start time between 07:00 and 09:30)

Turn your curiosity into a career. If you’re passionate about engineering, eager to learn, and looking for a degree apprenticeship that blends academic study with hands-on experience, we’d love to hear from you….

We’re currently recruiting an apprentice to join our Hardware Engineering team, while also completing an Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship. It’s a fantastic opportunity to grow, as well as develop your skills.

Benefits of the Programme:

• Earn a salary while studying for your apprenticeship
• Gain hands-on experience in a real engineering environment
• Receive job-specific training and development
• Achieve a recognised engineering qualification
• Secure a permanent role from the start of your apprenticeship
• Have your university tuition fees fully paid

About the Role:

This exciting Hardware Apprentice role will develop your skills by the designing and implementation of the engineering solutions in accordance with programme and product requirements. Typical tasks will range from requirements management via the design and development cycle, to test, integration and validation of complex products and systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, implement and test engineering solutions in accordance with Thales procedures
• Attendance at project reviews
• Creation of functional and physical system architectures
• Preparation of engineering specifications, interface control documents & test documentation
• Deliver tasks on time and to the required quality
• Work as a team-player asking for guidance and direction where necessary
• Develop knowledge and skills within the engineering discipline
• Effectively communicate engineering issues related to own tasks
• And much more….

Through our degree apprenticeship you’ll be making the most of your talents, getting to understand engineering from the ground up; and doing so with the help of one of the biggest and best names in the industry.   We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are motivated, committed and keen to learn. A self-starter who can manage their time, show initiative and have a genuine interest in engineering and Thales. Successful candidates will show self-discipline and an aspiration to achieve a degree qualification.

Apprenticeship Programme:

You'll work towards a Level 6 Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship with the University of Nottingham while gaining valuable hands-on experience in the workplace.

The programme lasts 5.5 years and combines:

• On-campus learning
• Online study
• Practical, work-based learning

You'll typically attend the university for around four weeks each year, delivered in one-week blocks. Throughout the programme, you'll develop both your technical knowledge and practical engineering skills.

On successful completion of the apprenticeship and End Point Assessment, you'll achieve:

•  A fully funded BEng (Hons) in Electro-Mechanical Engineering
• A Level 6 Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship qualification.

The programme is accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers for those wishing to progress towards Chartered Engineer status later in their career. 

Entry Requirements:

To apply, you will need: 

• 3 A Levels (BBB) including Mathematics (Citizenship Skills, General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted), Alternative Level 3 qualifications will be accepted, subject to passing a Maths assessment. Alternative Level 3 qualifications include Engineering and Manufacturing T Level (Merit), BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering discipline (MMD) or a preceding engineering apprenticeship 
• 5 GCSES grade 9-4 (A-C) including English and Maths

Please note that applicants who already hold a relevant degree will not be eligible for this programme.  

Benefits:·      

• Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum

• Performance-related pay uplifts

• Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year (plus a company day and bank holidays)

• Contributory Company Pension

• Health Care Cash Plan

• Hybrid/flexible working options

• Employee assistance programme

• Learning and development support

• Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives

• Life Cover

• 80 Hours Volunteering per year (first two years) 

Thales Apprentice Recruitment Process: 

1.      Apply Online - submit your application online to register your interest.  You only need to register for one role as you will have the opportunity to apply for additional roles at the full application stage.

2.      Upload Your CV

3.      Check your emails for the invitation to apply – this will come from [email protected] 

4.      Complete Your Application – follow the link provided in the email to complete your application.  You can apply for one primary role and up to 3 additional roles.

5.      Complete Online Tests - undertake the online assessments designed to evaluate your suitability for the role. 

6.      Virtual Assessment Centre - candidates who progress from the online assessment stage will attend a virtual assessment centre, which will include group exercises, and competency-based interviews.

7.      Job Offer – successful candidates who perform well throughout the recruitment process will receive a job offer from Thales.

For further information about our Future Talent recruitment process, including hints and tips, or to connect with a member of the Future Talent Team, a Graduate, or an Apprentice, please visit Thales Future Talent - Connectr. 

Please note, assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February - May 2027.  Induction week for all Graduate and Apprentices will take place from Monday 6 September - Friday 10 September 2027. 

Closing date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 17 February 2027, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note, we will be in contact by the end of February 2027 with details of next steps. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT ROLES MAY CLOSE EARLIER THAN THE ADVERTISED DEADLINE IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMER OF APPLICATIONS.  WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID MISSING OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY.

Because of the work we do at Thales, all roles are subject to security requirements.

To be considered for this position, you must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete and maintain UK Government security checks, including Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) screening and Security Clearance (SC), which is a government background check, before starting employment.

To be eligible for SC clearance, you will typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. As part of the vetting process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, right to work in the UK, any time spent overseas during the last five years, and your employment and/or education history.

For further details of the evidence required to apply for security clearance please follow this link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels 

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity, and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.
 

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

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