At a Glance
- Tasks: Learn and build real mechatronic engineering skills while working on exciting projects.
- Company: Join Thales, a global tech leader shaping the future with innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Earn while you learn, gain hands-on experience, and secure a permanent role.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for career progression after your apprenticeship.
- Why this job: Turn your curiosity into a career in a supportive environment with real-world impact.
- Qualifications: 56 UCAS points or equivalent; passion for engineering and problem-solving required.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 24000 £ per year.
Location: Belfast, United Kingdom
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
Start Date: 6 September 2027
Salary: £24,000 per annum
Employee type: Permanent
Location: Belfast (must be a resident of Northern Ireland for the past 5 years)
Working Schedule: Monday - Thursday 0800-1645, Friday 0800-1200 (flexible working available)
Turn your curiosity into a career. If you're passionate about engineering, eager to learn, and looking for an apprenticeship that combines academic study with exciting on-the-job experience, we'd love to hear from you. Our Mechatronics apprenticeship will let you explore different types of engineering before you make an informed decision to specialise in relevant discipline of engineering.
Benefits of the programme:
- Earn a salary while studying for your apprenticeship
- Gain hands-on experience in a real engineering environment
- Receive job-specific training and development
- Achieve a recognised engineering qualification
- Tuition fees for approved training providers are fully covered
- Secure a permanent role from the start of your apprenticeship
About the Role
As an Engineering Apprentice, you'll be learning and building real mechatronic engineering skills - This will help you grow into a confident, positive, and flexible engineer. You'll develop a strong technical base and get the chance to work on challenging engineering problems as part of a supportive team.
Mechatronics is where mechanical engineering, electronics, and software come together - so you'll learn how to think through design, how to create solutions, and how technology helps make systems work automatically.
In this role, you'll help the team deliver solutions to meet deadlines, quality expectations, and budget. You'll learn how good engineering decisions are made - balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability all while working with different parts of the business.
How this helps you grow:
- Build practical, transferable engineering skills: you won't just learn theory - you'll learn how designs are made ready for real-world production.
- Become more confident in engineering problem-solving: you'll work with guidance, but you'll also learn how to break down challenges and find solutions.
- Understanding how engineering decisions are made: you'll see how cost, quality, and performance trade-offs come into the design process.
- Learn through teamwork: you'll collaborate with people from different disciplines and begin building professional communication skills.
What You Will Learn
- How our business works, especially across Engineering, including software, hardware, and systems
- Engineering and the wider business, together - you'll be exposed to other functions outside Engineering, so you fully understand how we're set up and how decisions get made
- Learning from the people who make it all happen - you'll work with key stakeholders across the business, alongside experienced, long-tenured experts and our leadership teams
- Building your network - you'll join a large community of future talent (including apprentices, graduates, and interns), helping you grow through connections and shared learning
- Growing your capability through rotation - you'll develop through a designed pathway with internal rotational programmes, ensuring you get the right experience in the right teams
Apprenticeship Programme
You will be studying towards a Level 5 Higher Level Apprenticeship, Foundation Engineering Degree (FdEng) in Mechatronics with our partners at the South Eastern Regional College in Bangor. During the 3 year programme you will follow an initial rotation plan and then specialise in a particular engineering function. You will be given 1 day per week to attend college lessons, lectures and tutorials on campus. The other 4 days you will be working in engineering departments, embedding your college learning in a real-life engineering environment.
On successful completion of the Higher-Level Apprenticeship, there will be scope to progress onto the BEng in Mechatronic Engineering at Ulster University.
Entry Requirements
- 56 UCAS tariff points including: A Levels (A2): Typical grade profile CC (to include 1 from Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Design & Technology, Engineering, Electronics or Double Award Science/Applied Science)
- Or BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering with overall award profile MPP or Diploma in Engineering with overall award profile MM
- 5 GCSEs at grade A-C (4-9) or above including English and Maths
2027 Academy Engineer Apprentice - Level 5 Higher Level Apprenticeship - Mechatronic Engineering employer: Thales Group
Thales is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of Crawley. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive training opportunities, competitive benefits including private medical insurance and annual bonuses, and a supportive environment where your contributions directly impact the future of technology. Join us to be part of a team that values diversity, encourages creativity, and prioritises ethical AI solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 2027 Academy Engineer Apprentice - Level 5 Higher Level Apprenticeship - Mechatronic Engineering
✨Get Hands-On Experience
Look for opportunities to get hands-on with mechatronics outside the classroom. Join local maker spaces or robotics clubs where you can tinker with projects. This practical experience not only boosts your skills but also gives you exciting examples to talk about in interviews!
✨Show Up at Local Events
Keep an eye out for local tech fairs, robotics competitions, or engineering expos in your area. These events are fantastic for meeting industry professionals, learning about the latest trends, and even connecting with potential employers like Thales Group. Don't forget to bring your business cards!
✨Leverage Your School’s Resources
If you're enrolled in a college or university, tap into your career services. They often have partnerships with companies in the mechatronics field that offer apprenticeships. Go to their workshops or career fairs and make sure they know you’re interested in opportunities like those at Thales Group.
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for an apprenticeship, specifically at places like Thales Group, be sure to tailor your application to highlight relevant school projects or technical skills. Mention any software or tools you've used that are common in the mechatronics field, as well as your passion for innovation and collaboration!
We think you need these skills to ace 2027 Academy Engineer Apprentice - Level 5 Higher Level Apprenticeship - Mechatronic Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the mechatronics field, it's all about that blend of mechanical and electronic knowledge. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant coursework, projects, or experiences that demonstrate your abilities in robotics, electronics, or automation. And don’t forget to mention your hands-on skills with tools and technology!
Hands-On Projects Make a Difference:If you've worked on any DIY projects or participated in competitions like robotics contests, be sure to include these in your application! We love seeing real-world applications of your skills, so describe what you did and any specific contributions you made. If you’ve got photos or videos, consider including a link to a portfolio.
Express Your Passion for Learning:As you’re applying for an apprenticeship, it’s crucial to show your eagerness to learn and grow in the mechatronics field. Use your cover letter to explain why you want to pursue this path and what excites you about working with Thales Group. This will help us see that you’re not just looking for any job, but are genuinely interested in this opportunity!
Tailor Your Application for Us:Don't use a one-size-fits-all approach! Make sure each application is customised for Thales Group and the specific role of 2027 Academy Engineer Apprentice - Level 5 Higher Level Apprenticeship - Mechatronic Engineering. Mention how the skills you're bringing to the table can benefit our projects, and don’t hesitate to sprinkle in some buzzwords that are relevant to the industry. It’ll help your application stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thales Group
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Know-How
Since you're diving into the mechatronics field, make sure you’re comfortable discussing basic principles and functions of mechanics, electronics, and computer systems. Prepare to tackle some technical scenarios or problems that they might throw your way. This could be a hands-on demo or theoretical questions, so know your stuff!
✨Show Your Eagerness to Learn
As an apprentice, your willingness to learn is just as crucial as your existing knowledge. Be ready to share specific examples of how you’ve approached learning in the past, whether through projects, coursework, or even hobbies. This can help the interviewer see that you’re motivated and ready to grow within the company.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Problem-solving is key in mechatronics! Prepare to walk the interviewer through your thought process on common engineering challenges. If you have past experiences where you tackled a tricky problem, like a project during school or a DIY task, bring that up to illustrate your approach.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Tools
Get to know the tools and software commonly used in the mechatronics field, like CAD software or programming languages relevant to automation. If you’ve dabbled in any related platforms, mention them. Showing that you have hands-on experience with these can give you a leg up and make you a more attractive candidate for the apprenticeship at Thales Group.
