Level 6 Electro-mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
Thales · South West · BA8 0DH
About the role
Hey curious minds! 🧠 Got that itch to figure out how stuff works? Love engineering? Want to land a gig with a global innovator that'll sponsor your degree AND give you epic real-world experience? ✨ If that's a YES, then Thales has something seriously cool for you…
What's in it for you? 😎
- Get Paid While You Learn: Earn a salary 💸 while you study for your degree.
- Real-World Buzz: Dive into hands-on experience in a legit engineering environment.
- Level Up Your Skills: Get job-specific training and development. 🚀
- Get Certified: Achieve a recognized engineering qualification. 🎓
- Start Strong: Secure a permanent role from day one of your apprenticeship.
- Degree on Us: We'll cover all your university tuition fees. 💯
About the Role 🧑💻
As a Mechanical Engineer at Thales in Templecombe, you'll be part of a team crafting cutting-edge underwater naval systems for the UK Ministry of Defence and global clients. You'll help design, test, and improve advanced defence tech, with the chance to shape your role around your unique talents and career goals.
Your Mission (Responsibilities):
- Design mechanical parts and systems using cool CAD software. ✏️
- Handle the packaging of electronics and their cables.
- Design equipment for military platforms. 🚢
- Create manufacturing and assembly drawings for production.
- Understand how stress, shock, and vibration impact designs. 💥
- Build and test prototypes during product development.
- Help get products ready for tough operational environments.
- Use design-for-manufacture principles for smart solutions.
What You'll Master (Learning):
You'll get invaluable experience across the entire product development journey, working alongside seasoned engineers and using advanced defence tech. You'll learn:
- Top-tier CAD design techniques.
- How mechanical and electronic systems mesh together.
- Engineering design principles for defence and naval applications.
- Creating professional manufacturing and assembly drawings.
- The impact of stress, vibration, and shock on designs.
- Product testing, environmental qualification, and validation.
- Prototype building and hands-on development skills.
- Design for manufacture to boost quality and efficiency.
- How defence products are developed for the MoD and international markets.
- Teamwork and problem-solving in a multi-disciplinary engineering space.
Your Apprenticeship Journey 🚀
You'll work towards a Level 6 Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship with the University of Nottingham, all while gaining practical, on-the-job experience. This 5-year program blends:
- Campus learning (about 4 weeks/year). 🏫
- Online study. 💻
- Hands-on, work-based learning.
You'll build both your technical smarts and practical engineering skills. Upon successful completion and End Point Assessment, you'll achieve:
- A fully funded BEng (Hons) in Electro-Mechanical Engineering.
- A Level 6 Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship qualification.
This program is accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, setting you up for potential Chartered Engineer status down the line. 🌟
What You'll Need to Apply: ✅
- 3 A Levels (achieving BBB) including Maths. (Citizenship Skills, General Studies, and Critical Thinking are not considered). Alternative Level 3 qualifications are accepted if you pass a Maths assessment (e.g., Engineering and Manufacturing T Level (Merit), BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering (MMD), or a previous engineering apprenticeship).
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A-C), including English and Maths.
- Important Note: If you already have a relevant degree, you're not eligible for this program.
The Perks: 🎉
- Competitive salary: £24,000 per year. 💰
- Performance-based pay boosts.
- Holiday: 201 hours/year + company day + 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). 🤝
Security Clearance Requirements: 🔒
Due to the nature of our work at Thales, all roles require security clearance.
- You must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to complete and maintain UK Government security checks (BPSS and SC).
- Typically, you'll need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last 5 years to be eligible for SC clearance. You'll need to provide evidence of your identity, right to work, overseas travel history, and employment/education history.
- Nationality Restriction: This role supports a UK Eyes Only program, meaning you must be a British citizen from birth and hold no other nationality. This is a government requirement for program access.
About Thales: 🌍
Thales is committed to equal opportunities. We believe diversity and inclusion are key to our success.
Ready to Apply? Here's the Game Plan: 👇
1. Apply Online: Submit your initial application to register your interest. You only need to apply for one role initially!
2. Upload Your CV.
3. Check Your Emails: Look out for an invitation to apply from recruiting@jobalerts.thalesgroup.com.
4. Complete Your Application: Follow the link in the email to fill out the full application. You can apply for one main role and up to three others.
5. Online Tests: Complete online assessments to see if you're a match.
6. Virtual Assessment Centre: If you ace the tests, you'll join a virtual assessment centre (group exercises & interviews).
7. Job Offer! 🥳
Important Dates: 🗓️
- Assessment Centres: February - May 2027
- Induction Week: Monday 6 September - Friday 10 September 2027
- Applications Close: 11:59 PM on Wednesday 17 February 2027.
🚨 Quick Heads-Up! 🚨 Applications might close SOONER if we get loads of interest. So, don't wait – apply ASAP to snag this awesome opportunity! 🏃♀️💨
Click apply to get started and find out more!
Key responsibilities
- Designing mechanical parts and systems using CAD software
- Packaging of electronics and associated cabling
- Designing equipment that can be installed on military platforms
- Producing manufacturing and assembly drawings for production teams
- Understanding factors such as stress, shock and vibration when designing products