Systems Engineering Degree Apprenticeship - Level 6 Applied Professional Engineering - Crawley

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 blends academic study with exciting on-the-job experience, we want to hear from you.

Why Join Us?

• Earn a salary while you get your degree 💰
• Gain real-world, hands-on experience in engineering environments 🛠️
• Receive top-notch job-specific training and development 💪
• Achieve a recognised 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 knowledge, practical skills, and professional mindset needed to become a confident and capable engineer. You'll join our Systems Engineering team, supporting the delivery of awesome systems and equipment solutions, keeping projects on track and within budget. Your responsibilities might include:

• Supporting requirements and design activities ✍️
• Contributing to project reviews and discussions 🗣️
• Participating in system testing and validation 🧪
• Assisting with engineering investigations and problem-solving 🧩
• Visiting customer sites for surveys, trials, and system deployment 🌍
• Working with experienced engineers on live projects 🤝

What You'll Learn

Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll master:

• Professional engineering behaviours and industry best practices ✨
• 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 a BEng Applied Professional Engineering Degree Apprenticeship with The University of Warwick, focusing on the Product Design and Development Engineer pathway. This blended learning programme includes:

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

This is a broad programme designed to give you a strong multi-disciplinary engineering foundation before you specialise. Years 1 & 2 cover Mechanical, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Materials & Design, and Computational skills. Years 3 & 4 focus on the Design and Development Engineer pathway and a work-based project. This degree is aligned with IET accreditation, supporting your journey towards becoming a Chartered Engineer. 🌟

Entry Requirements

• A Levels: Minimum 112 UCAS Tariff points, including a grade B in Maths and at least one further STEM or engineering subject.
• GCSEs: Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above, including English Language, Mathematics, and an additional STEM subject.
• *Note: If you already have a relevant degree, you won't be eligible for this programme.*

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum 💵
• Performance-related pay uplifts 📈
• Holiday entitlement: 201 hours per 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 initiatives 😊
• Life Cover 🛡️
• 80 Hours Volunteering per year (first two years) 🤝

About the Company

Due to the nature of our work at Thales, all roles are subject to security requirements. Thales is committed to equal opportunities, diversity, and inclusion.

Recruitment Process

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

2. Upload Your CV: Make sure it's up-to-date! 📄

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

4. Complete Application: Follow the link to apply for your primary role and up to 3 additional roles. 📝

5. Online Tests: Assessments to evaluate your suitability. 🧠

6. Virtual Assessment Centre: Group exercises and competency-based interviews for shortlisted candidates. 🗣️

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

For more tips and info, visit Thales Future Talent - Connectr. Assessment centres are scheduled between February - May 2027, and induction is September 6-10, 2027.

Application Closing Date: 11:59pm on Wednesday 17 February 2027. This is the *only* application window this year! We'll be in touch by the end of February 2027 with next steps.

🚨 IMPORTANT: Roles may close earlier than the deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. Apply ASAP to secure your spot!

Important Note: You must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to pass UK Government security checks (BPSS and SC clearance). You'll typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years for SC clearance.

How to Apply: Click the apply button! Remember, applications can close early, so don't delay! 👍

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