In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.
Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.
2026 Component Engineering Apprentice – Higher Level Apprenticeship in Mechatronics
Start Date: 07 September 2026
Salary: £24,000 per annum
Employee type: Permanent
Location: Belfast
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 provide valuable and exciting on-the-job experience within a global, innovative and industry-leading organisation? If so, read on to see what Thales has to offer…
As a Component Engineering Apprentice, you will develop the key skills and experience in the following:
* Gain knowledge of engineering subjects; electronic, mechanical and software engineering
* Familiarise yourself with the key techniques and technologies used in the design and implementation of the product
* Learn to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications
* Gain knowledge of the different disciplines within the Services function
* Gain knowledge and be able use Services tooling and software packages
* Learn and maintain knowledge of current industry standards for all service disciplines
The role will develop your engineering skills to become a confident, positive and flexible Component Engineering Apprentice with strong technical knowledge gained from on-the-job training and college studies. Supporting the team to undertake service-engineering activities to deadlines and within budget.
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
Apprentice Programme
You will be studying towards a Level 5 Higher Level Apprenticeship, Foundation Engineering Degree (FdEng) in Mechatronics with our partners at the South Eastern Regional College in Bangor.
During this 3 year programme, you will be given 1 day per week to attend college lessons, lectures and tutorials. For the other 4 days you will be working in business, embedding your college learning in a real-life engineering environment.
On successful completion of the Higher-Level Apprenticeship, there may be scope to progress onto the BEng in Mechatronic Engineering at Ulster University.
Requirements:
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are motivated, committed and keen to learn. You will be a self-starter, able to demonstrate time management skills, working on your own, using your initiative and have a genuine interest in Engineering and Thales. Successful candidates will show self-discipline and an aspiration to achieve a degree qualification.
Entry requirements:
* 56 UCAS Tariff points including A level (A2): Typical grade profile CC (to include 1 from Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Technology & Design, Design & Technology, Engineering, Electronics or Double Award Science/Applied Science) or BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering with overall award profile MPP or Diploma in Engineering with overall award profile MM
* 5 GCSEs at grade C or above including English and Maths
Please Note: due to funding obligations (i) applicants who already hold a relevant degree will not be eligible for this programme (ii) this opportunity is available in Belfast and open to all Northern Ireland residents. In addition, Right to Work in the UK for the duration of the programme is necessary.
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)
Easy Apply (EA)