Obsolescence Management Engineer - Level 6 Applied Professional Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

About the role

Turn your curiosity into a career! ✨ If you're buzzing about engineering, eager to learn, and looking for a degree apprenticeship that mixes real-world experience with awesome on-the-job learning, we want to hear from you! 🚀

Perks of the Programme:

• Earn a salary while you study for your degree 💰
• Get hands-on experience in a live engineering environment 🛠️
• Receive training tailored to your role and career development 📈
• Achieve a recognised engineering qualification that opens doors 🎓
• Secure a permanent role from day one of your apprenticeship 🌟
• University tuition fees fully covered! 📚

About the Role:

As an Obsolescence Management Engineer Apprentice, you'll build the technical smarts, practical skills, and professional know-how to become a confident and capable engineer. You'll join our Obsolescence Management Component Engineering team, helping to deliver and support vital systems and equipment. 🧭 You'll ensure projects stay on track and within budget throughout production and their support lifecycles.

Your Responsibilities Might Include:

• Supporting equipment needs and design work ✏️
• Contributing to project reviews and discussions 🤔
• Participating in product testing and finding solutions 🧪
• Assisting with engineering investigations and problem-solving 💡
• Visiting customer sites when needed 📍
• Working alongside experienced engineers on live projects 🧑‍💻

What You'll Learn:

• Pro engineering behaviours and industry best practices ✅
• How to understand and support complex engineering systems 🌐
• Different engineering roles and activities on real projects 🌍
• The Obsolescence Management and Component Engineering lifecycle and key processes 🔄
• Techniques for capturing and managing requirements and system design ✍️
• Tools and methods for Obsolescence Management and Component Engineering 🧰
• Testing, integration, verification, validation, and qualification (IVVQ) activities 💯
• Structured and methodical approaches to problem-solving 🧠

Degree Apprenticeship Programme:

You'll study for a Level 6 Applied Professional Engineering Apprenticeship with Warwick University, focusing on the Electrical/Electronic Technical Support pathway. It’s a blended learning approach:

• On-campus teaching (around 12 x 3-day blocks each academic year) 🏫
• Virtual coaching sessions 💻
• Online learning resources 🖱️
• Self-directed learning activities 📖

Programme Structure:

• Years 1 & 2: Build a strong engineering foundation across Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Materials, Design, and Computational Engineering.
• Years 3 & 4: Dive into your specialist pathway and apply your learning to real projects at our Crawley site.

Over these four years, you'll combine university study with practical work, developing both academic knowledge and professional engineering skills. 💪

Entry Requirements:

• A Levels: 112 UCAS tariff points. You'll need Grade B or above in Maths and at least one other STEM or engineering subject.
• GCSEs: A minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above, including English Language, Mathematics, and one additional STEM subject.

*Please note: If you already have a relevant degree, you're not eligible for this programme.*

Awesome Benefits:

• Competitive salary of £24,000 per year 💵
• Potential for performance-related pay uplifts 🚀
• 201 hours of holiday allowance per year (plus company and bank holidays!) 🏖️
• Contributory Company Pension 📈
• Health Care Cash Plan 🏥
• Hybrid/flexible working options 🏠
• Employee Assistance Programme (support for you) 🤗
• Learning and development support 📚
• Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives 🎉
• Life Cover 🛡️
• 80 hours volunteering per year (for the first two years) 🤝

Thales Apprentice Recruitment Process:

1. Apply Online: Submit your application to register your interest. You only need to register for one role initially! 📝

2. Upload Your CV: Be ready to share your resume.

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 apply for your primary role and up to 3 additional roles.

5. Online Tests: Complete assessments to gauge your suitability. 🧠

6. Virtual Assessment Centre: If you progress, you'll attend a virtual centre with group exercises and interviews. 🤝

7. Job Offer: Successful candidates will receive an offer from Thales! 🥳

For more on our Future Talent process, tips, and to connect with current Grads and Apprentices, visit Thales Future Talent - Connectr.

*Please note: Assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February - May 2027. Induction week for all Graduates and Apprentices is from Monday 6 September - Friday 10 September 2027.*

Key Dates:

• Applications close: 11:59 PM on Wednesday 17 February 2027. This is your only chance to apply this year! ⏳
• We aim to contact you by the end of February 2027 with next steps.

IMPORTANT: Roles may close earlier than the advertised deadline 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 require successful completion and maintenance of UK Government security checks (BPSS and SC clearance). This typically means you'll need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. You'll be asked to provide evidence of your identity, right to work in the UK, any time spent overseas, and your employment/education history.

About Us:

Thales is an equal opportunities employer, where diversity and inclusion are key to our success. 🌟

How to Apply:

Ready to start your engineering journey? Click the apply button to find out more. Remember, applications can close early, so don't delay! 🚀

Key responsibilities

• Supporting equipment requirements and design activities
• Contributing to project reviews
• Participating in product testing and mitigation activities
• Assisting with engineering investigations and problem solving
• Visiting customer sites where required

Skills