Systems Engineering Degree Apprentice - Level 6 Applied Professional Engineering - Cheadle

About the role

Turn your curiosity into a career! 🚀 If you're passionate about engineering, eager to learn, and looking for a degree apprenticeship that mixes awesome academic study with hands-on experience, we want to hear from you! 😎

What's in it for you?

✅ Earn a salary while you get your degree 💰

✅ Score real-world engineering experience 🛠️

✅ Get job-specific training & development 📈

✅ Achieve a recognized engineering qualification 🎓

✅ Secure a permanent role from day one 💯

✅ University tuition fees fully paid! 📚

About the Role

As a Systems Engineering Apprentice, you'll build the technical smarts, practical skills, and professional know-how to become a top-notch engineer. You'll be part of our Systems Engineering team, helping deliver cutting-edge systems and equipment solutions, ensuring projects are on track and within budget. 🎯

Your mission might include:

• Supporting systems requirements and design tasks
• Contributing to project reviews 🗣️
• Jumping into system testing and validation
• Assisting with engineering investigations and problem-solving 🧠
• Visiting customer sites and installations for surveys, trials, and deployment (when needed!) 📍
• Working alongside experienced engineers on live projects

What you'll learn:

You'll level up your skills in:

• Professional engineering behaviors and industry best practices ✅
• Understanding and working with complex engineering systems 🤯
• Different engineering roles and activities on live projects
• The Systems Engineering Lifecycle and key processes 🔄
• Requirements capture, management, and system design techniques
• Systems engineering tools and methods 💻
• Testing, integration, verification, validation, and qualification (IVVQ) activities
• Structured and methodical approaches to problem-solving 💪

Degree Apprenticeship Programme

You'll study for the BEng Applied Professional Engineering Degree Apprenticeship with The University of Warwick, focusing on the Product Design and Development Engineer pathway. This blended learning program includes:

• On-campus teaching (approx. 12 blocks of 3 days) 🏫
• Virtual coaching sessions 🌐
• Online learning resources 💻

Programme Structure:

This is a broad program to build a strong engineering foundation before specializing.

• Years 1 & 2: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Materials & Design, Computational skills 📊
• Years 3 & 4: Specialize in the Design & Development Engineer pathway + a work-based project 🚀

This four-year journey combines uni study with practical work, building both academic and professional engineering skills. It's designed to support your path to becoming a Chartered Engineer! 🌟

Entry Requirements:

• A Levels: Minimum 112 UCAS Tariff points, including a Grade B in Maths and at least one other STEM or engineering subject. 🤓
• GCSEs: Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above, including English Language, Mathematics, and an additional STEM subject. 💯

• *Please note: If you already have a relevant degree, you won't be eligible for this program.*

Perks & Benefits:

• Competitive salary of £24,000 per year 💸
• Performance-related pay uplifts ⬆️
• 201 hours of holiday per year (plus company days & bank holidays!) 🏖️
• Contributory Company Pension 📈
• Health Care Cash Plan 🏥
• Hybrid/flexible working options (where applicable) 🏠
• Employee Assistance Programme (for support) 🤗
• Learning and development support 📚
• Employee discounts & wellbeing initiatives ✨
• Life Cover 🛡️
• 80 Hours Volunteering per year (first 2 years) 🤝

Thales Apprentice Recruitment Process:

1. Apply Online: Register your interest! You only need to register for one role initially. 💻

2. Upload Your CV: Get it ready!

3. Check Your Emails: Look out for an invitation to apply from recruiting@jobalerts.thalesgroup.com 📧

4. Complete Your Application: Follow the email link. You can apply for one primary role and up to 3 additional roles.

5. Complete Online Tests: Assessments to see if you're a good fit! 🧠

6. Virtual Assessment Centre: Group exercises and interviews for those who progress. 🗣️

7. Job Offer: Successful candidates get an offer from Thales! 🎉

For more info on our Future Talent process, check out Thales Future Talent - Connectr!

Important Dates:

• Assessment Centres: February - May 2027
• Induction Week: Monday 6 September - Friday 10 September 2027
• Applications Close: 11:59pm on Wednesday 17 February 2027. This is the only application window this year! ⏳

PLEASE NOTE: Roles may close earlier if we receive a high volume of applications. Apply ASAP to avoid missing out! 🚀

Security Requirements:

Due to the nature of our work, all roles are subject to strict security checks. You must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to pass UK Government security checks (BPSS and SC clearance). This typically means living in the UK continuously for the last five years. You'll need to provide proof of identity, right to work, overseas travel history, and employment/education history.

• Nationality Restriction: This role supports a UK Eyes Only programme, requiring applicants to be British citizens from birth with no other nationality. This is a government mandate.

About Thales:

Thales is committed to equal opportunities. Diversity and inclusion are key to our success! 🌍

How to Apply:

Click the apply button to find out more and submit your application. Remember, applications can close early, so don't delay! Apply now! ✨

Key responsibilities

• Supporting systems requirements and design activities
• Contributing to project reviews
• Participating in system testing and validation activities
• Assisting with engineering investigations and problem solving
• Visiting customer sites, platforms and installations to support surveys, trials and system deployment where required

Skills