2026 Engineering Apprentice – Level 6 Applied Professional Engineer (Level 6 Manufacturing Engineer)
Join Thales as a Level 6 Applied Professional Engineer apprentice and take the first step in a rewarding career in sonar systems and manufacturing engineering. This permanent role, located in Cheadle, offers a balanced work schedule of 37 hours per week (Monday to Thursday, 9.25 hours per day) and a competitive annual salary of £24,000.
Start date: 07 September 2026
Employee type: Permanent
Location: Cheadle
Working schedule: Monday – Thursday, 9.25 hours per day (37 hours per week)
Are you passionate about engineering? Do you have an inquisitive mind? Thales can sponsor you to complete a degree while you gain stimulating on‑the‑job experience within a global, innovative organisation.
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
Responsibilities
* Support the team to deliver sonar systems and equipment solutions to deadlines and within budget.
* Participate in systems requirements and design work, project reviews, system test and possibly site and platform visits for surveys, installations or trials.
* Develop a professional engineer’s required behaviours and codes of practice.
* Understand complex systems for sonar technology through varying roles on ongoing projects.
* Apply manufacturing engineering lifecycle activities and tools to capture and manage requirements.
* Engage in systems test activities including Integration, Validation, Verification & Qualification (IVVQ) and related processes and tools.
* Approach problems with a methodical and structured investigation style.
Key Skills & Experience
* Understanding of the manufacturing engineering lifecycle and activities.
* Familiarity with manufacturing engineering tools and methods for requirements capture and system design.
* Knowledge of systems test procedures and IVVQ processes.
* A methodical and structured problem‑investigation approach.
Apprentice Programme
You will be enrolled on the Level 6 Applied Professional Engineering Programme at Warwick University, following the manufacturing engineer pathway. Delivered via a blended learning model, the programme combines on‑campus delivery (6 block weeks per year) with virtual coaching and online resources. The first two years cover a broad engineering skill set including mechanical, electrical, electronic, materials and design, as well as computational methods. In Years 3 and 4 you will specialise in the manufacturing engineering track. Throughout the four‑year programme you will work within our manufacturing function in Cheadle, applying university studies to real‑world projects.
Requirements
* 112 UCAS tariff points at A Level including a grade B in Maths and at least one further relevant STEM subject (Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Electronics).
* 5 GCSEs (grades 9‑4, A‑C) including English, Maths, and a science subject.
Please note that applicants who already hold a relevant degree will not be eligible for this programme.
Benefits
* 201 hours annual leave (plus a company day and bank holidays)
* Company pension
* Health Care Cash Plan
* Life Insurance
* Portals discount
* Performance‑related pay uplifts
* 80 hours volunteering (first two years)
Closing Date
Applications will close at 11:59pm on Thursday 12 February 2026. We will contact shortlisted candidates by the end of February 2026 with details of next steps. Apply early to avoid missing out.
Recruitment Process
Assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February and May 2026. Induction week for all graduates and apprentices runs from 7 September 2026 to 11 September 2026.
Security Clearance
All successful candidates must possess the permanent right to work in the UK and will be required to undergo Government security clearance at BPSS Level and obtain full Security Clearance (SC). SC is required to commence employment and can be obtained prior to starting at Thales. For guidance on the UKSV process, see the UK government website.
Equal Opportunity
Thales is an equal opportunities employer. Diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales, and we provide a barrier‑free recruitment process with reasonable adjustments to support all applicants.
#J-18808-Ljbffr