Ai Engineer Degree Apprenticeship - Level 6 Machine Learning

About the role

Turn your curiosity into a career at Thales! 🚀 If you're hyped about Artificial Intelligence, ready to level up your skills, and looking for a degree apprenticeship that mixes epic learning with real-world experience, we want you!

What's in it for you?

• Earn cash while you study 💰
• Get hands-on experience in a cutting-edge AI and engineering scene 🛠️
• Receive training tailored to the job 🎓
• Score a recognised Level 6 qualification 📜
• Land a permanent role from day one – no cap! 🌟
• Tuition fees? Covered! ✅

About the Role: AI Engineer Apprentice

You'll build the tech know-how, practical skills, and professional swagger to design, build, test, and deploy awesome AI solutions. Join our AI and engineering crew and dive into live projects across the machine learning journey. You'll team up with software, data, systems, and domain wizards to transform ideas into secure, maintainable solutions.

Your Missions Might Include:

• Getting data prepped, explored, and validated for machine learning projects 📊
• Creating and testing machine learning models and AI-powered software bits 💻
• Writing clean, tested, and documented code using the latest engineering tools and vibes 💯
• Helping with model integration, deployment, monitoring, and making them even better 📈
• Contributing to technical reviews, experiments, and smart problem-solving 💡
• Working with experienced engineers and researchers on real projects, like, for real! 🔥

What You'll Master:

• Pro engineering moves, teamwork, and industry best practices 💪
• Programming, software engineering, version control, and automated testing 🕹️
• Data prep, feature engineering, and data quality techniques 🧐
• Machine learning methods, model selection, training, and evaluation 🧠
• Deployment strategies, MLOps, monitoring, and lifecycle management 🌐
• Cloud, compute, and development tools for AI solutions ☁️
• Responsible AI, security, privacy, safety, and regulatory smarts 🛡️
• Structured ways to troubleshoot, experiment, and always improve 🌱

The Apprenticeship Programme:

Study for a Level 6 AI Engineer apprenticeship with QA, where you'll gain the knowledge, skills, and behaviours to build and use AI responsibly in an engineering setting. It's delivered virtually, featuring:

• Live virtual lectures (28 days) 🧑‍💻
• Online learning resources 📚
• Self-directed study 🚀

This programme takes you through the entire AI lifecycle – from idea to deployment and governance – setting you up for success at Thales. Plus, you'll get the Microsoft certified Azure AI Engineer Associate qualification, on top of your Level 6 Machine Learning Engineer Apprenticeship! 🏆

Entry Requirements:

• A Levels: Three A Levels at Grade B or above in Maths, with at least one relevant subject (Physics, Computer Science, Software, ICT). Or a Level 4/5 apprenticeship in a similar field.
• GCSEs: Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 9-4 (A-C) in English and Maths.
• *Note: Computer Science graduates can't apply due to funding rules.*

Awesome Perks:

• Competitive salary of £24,000 per year 💸
• Performance-based pay bumps 🚀
• 201 hours of holiday a year (plus a company day and bank holidays!) 🌴
• Contributory Company Pension 🏦
• Health Care Cash Plan 🩺
• Hybrid/flexible working options 🏠
• Employee assistance programme 🆘
• Learning and development support 💡
• Employee discounts and wellbeing perks 🎉
• Life Cover ⚰️
• 80 Hours Volunteering per year (first two years) 💖

How to Apply:

Ready to kickstart your AI journey?

1. Apply Online: Hit that apply button to show your interest. You only need to register for one role initially!

2. Upload CV: Get your CV ready.

3. Check Emails: Keep an eye on your inbox for an invite to apply from recruiting@jobalerts.thalesgroup.com.

4. Complete Application: Follow the link to finish your application. You can pick one main role and up to 3 others.

5. Online Tests: Ace the assessments to show us what you've got.

6. Virtual Assessment Centre: If you impress, you'll join a virtual assessment centre with group exercises and interviews.

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

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

• Assessment Centres: February - May 2027
• Induction Week: Monday 6 September - Friday 10 September 2027

Deadline: Applications close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, 17 February 2027. 🗓️ *Roles may close earlier if we get loads of applications, so don't wait!*

Important Note: Due to the nature of our work at Thales, all roles require UK Government security checks. You'll need the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to pass security clearance (BPSS and SC), which usually requires living in the UK for the last five years. You'll need to provide details about your identity, right to work, time spent overseas, and employment/education history.

About Thales:

Thales is all about equal opportunities, diversity, and inclusion – it's a core part of our success! ✨

To Apply:

Click the apply button to get started! Remember, we encourage early applications as roles can close before the deadline. Good luck! 🍀

Key responsibilities

• Preparing, exploring and validating data for machine learning use cases
• Developing and evaluating machine learning models and AI-enabled software components
• Writing clean, tested and documented code using appropriate engineering tools and practices
• Supporting model integration, deployment, monitoring and performance improvement
• Contributing to technical reviews, experiments and structured problem solving

Skills