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 Systems Engineering (IVVQ) Apprentice - Level 3 Mechatronics Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship

Start Date: 6 September 2027

Salary: £24,000 per annum

Employee type: Permanent

Location: Cheadle

Working Schedule: Monday – Friday, 37 hours a week (8 hours Monday – Thursday, 5 hours Friday)

Are you passionate about engineering? Do you have an inquisitive mind? Are you looking for an employer who will sponsor you through a Level 3 Apprenticeship, whilst providing valuable and exciting on-the-job experience within a global, innovative and industry-leading organisation? If so, read on to see what Thales has on offer…

Benefits of the programme:

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

About the Role

As an Engineering (IVVQ) Apprentice, you'll work within the Underwater Systems Sonar business, gaining hands-on experience with one of the leading companies in the industry.

Your role will be to support the integration and testing of sonar systems throughout different stages of projects. You'll help make sure both hardware and software products work correctly and meet the required standards before they are delivered to customers.

You'll be involved in:

• Supporting the integration, validation, verification and qualification (IVVQ) of systems.
• Conducting testing activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Following guidance from Lead Engineers and IVVQ Managers.
• Helping prepare systems for customer acceptance and final delivery.
• Using a range of specialist tools, equipment and diagnostic technology.
• Checking that components, assemblies and complete systems meet technical specifications.
• Becoming an important member of a highly skilled engineering team.

What You Will Learn

Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll develop both technical knowledge and practical engineering skills.

You will learn:

• How to integrate and test complex engineering systems.
• The principles of Validation, Verification and Qualification (IVVQ).
• How to use specialist measuring, testing and diagnostic equipment.
• Problem-solving and fault-finding techniques.
• How engineering projects are delivered from development through to customer acceptance.
• Industry-standard engineering processes and best practices.
• How to work effectively within a professional engineering team.

Apprenticeship Programme

As an Engineering (IVVQ) Apprentice, you will:

• Work towards a Level 3 Mechatronics Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship
• Complete a 3-year apprenticeship programme
• Spend one day per week at a local college studying towards the apprenticeship, with four days working within the business, gaining practical experience
• Apply what you learn in college to real engineering projects and activities
• Develop valuable skills and knowledge while working alongside experienced engineers
• Gain broad experience across different areas of the engineering industry

Entry Requirements

To apply, you will need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A*-C) to include English and Maths

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. 

In addition, this role supports a UK Eyes Only programme and is therefore subject to government-mandated nationality restrictions.  To satisfy the security clearance requirements for access to highly sensitive information, applicants must have been British citizens from birth and must not hold any other nationality.  This requirement is determined by the UK Government and is a condition of programme access rather than an employment preference.

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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