2026 Test and Repair Apprentice – Level 3 Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician
Join Thales as a 2026 Test and Repair Apprentice – Level 3 Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician at our Crawley site.
Start date: 07 September 2026
Salary: £24,000 per annum
Employee type: Permanent
Location: Crawley, United Kingdom
Working schedule: Monday – Friday, 37 hours a week (8 hours Monday – Thursday, 5 hours Friday)
What the role has to offer
* Earn while you learn
* Job-specific training experience
* Recognised qualifications
* Permanent role from day one
* Tuition fees for university or approved training providers are fully covered
What you’ll be doing
Through our test and repair apprenticeship you will:
* Learn manufacturing functions and assembly techniques, wiring, soldering, and ESD safety.
* Acquire tooling and software skills needed across Thales facilities.
* Progress through a focused rotation plan, working in test & repair environments and gaining experience with a variety of customer equipment.
* Rotate through departments such as assembly, integration, test, repairs, fault finding, planning and manufacturing engineering.
* Develop skills in mechanical and electrical criteria, including IPC 610/620 standards.
* Use measuring, testing, diagnostic, and process equipment to ensure components and systems meet specifications.
Apprentice Programme
As a Test and Repair Apprentice you will work towards a Level 3 apprenticeship following the Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician standard. For 3–4 years you will spend one day per week completing studies at Crawley College while working four days a week in business to apply learning and gain breadth of experience.
Who we’re looking for
We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated and keen-to-learn individuals who are:
* Self-starters who manage time, show initiative and have a genuine interest in manufacturing at Thales.
* Committed, disciplined and aspiring to achieve the apprenticeship qualification.
Requirements
* 5 GCSEs (Grade 9‑4, A‑C), including English and Maths
Benefits
* 201 hours annual leave (plus a company day and bank holidays)
* Company pension
* Health Care Cash Plan
* Life Insurance
* Discount Portal
* Performance‑related pay uplifts
* 80 hours volunteering (first two years)
Security clearance
All successful candidates must possess the permanent right to work in the UK and will be required to obtain BPSS Level and full Security Clearance (SC) in line with UKSV requirements. SC clearance is a requirement prior to commencing employment.
Equal opportunities
Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to our success. We provide a barrier‑free recruitment process and reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities.
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