Location: Glasgow, 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.
2027 Industrial Process Engineer Apprentice
Start Date: 16th August 2027 (This is a mandatory requirement for college induction)
Salary: £24,000 per annum
Employee type: Permanent
Location: Glasgow
Working Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 37 hours a week (9.25 hours Monday – Thursday)
Turn your curiosity into a career. If you're passionate about manufacturing and 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.
Benefits of the programme
- Earn a salary while studying
- Gain hands-on experience in a real engineering environment
- Receive job-specific training and development
- Achieve a recognised qualification
- Secure a permanent role from the start of your apprenticeship
- Have your tuition fees fully paid
About the Role
As an Industrial Process Engineer Apprentice, you will develop the technical knowledge, practical skills and professional behaviours needed to become a confident and capable Industrial Process Engineer.
Working as part of our Industry team, you will support the delivery of products and equipment solutions, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
- Build your engineering capability to become a confident, positive, and flexible industrial process engineer.
- Gain strong technical knowledge from a mix of academic learning and hands‑on on‑the‑job training.
- Work within a team delivering manufacturing solutions aligned to customer needs.
Key responsibilities / engineering exposure
- Define, develop, and optimise manufacturing documentation, tools, and workflows.
- Perform manufacturing readiness reviews.
- Support technological innovation aimed at reducing cost and improving processes/workflows.
- Ensure the manufacturing process is feasible and reproducible (works consistently and can be repeated reliably).
What You Will Learn
Throughout the apprenticeship, you will gain experience and knowledge in:
- Develop an understanding of the required behaviours and codes of practice of a professional engineer
- Understanding complex systems by working on different tasks on on‑going projects
- Assessing Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) of products by reviewing the product maturity with project teams to identify and minimise risk
- Define, set up, prepare and optimise manufacturing processes and tooling for a defined area or product line
- Contribute to Health, Safety and Environment processes
- Define and optimise manufacturing documentation, tools, workflows for manufacturing and inspection based on the information supplied by upstream R&D engineering departments
- Contribute to the technological innovation to reduce costs and workflows, whilst guaranteeing the feasibility and reproducibility of the process
- Attend Material Review Boards and Configuration Control Boards on behalf of manufacturing, actively manage failures and changes
- Implement test & control plans for manufacturing equipment
- Implement Design for Execution (DfX) solutions to our products and processes
- Implement Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) tools such as Process Flow / Product Failure Mode Effect Analysis (PfMEA) and control plans
Apprenticeship Programme
Through this apprenticeship you will study towards an HNC in Engineering with a local training provider, with the opportunity to top up to a full degree qualification via our university partner. Training will be delivered via a blended learning model of on‑campus delivery and remote learning, over a 4‑year duration.
To apply, you will need:
- 3 Highers at Grade C or above including Mathematics and Physics/Engineering Science
- 5 National 5s Grade A-C including English and Maths
Please note that applicants who are not sitting their Highers in their year of application, may be required to complete a Maths assessment prior to an unconditional offer being made.
Benefits
- Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum
- Performance‑related pay uplifts
- Holiday entitlement of 201 hours 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 initiatives
- Life Cover
- 80 Hours Volunteering per year (first two years)
Because of the work we do at Thales, all roles are subject to security requirements.
To be considered for this position, you must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete and maintain UK Government security checks, including Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) screening and Security Clearance (SC), which is a government background check, before starting employment.
To be eligible for SC clearance, you will typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. As part of the vetting process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, right to work in the UK, any time spent overseas during the last five years, and your employment and/or education history.
For further details of the evidence required to apply for security clearance please follow this link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.
Closing date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 17 February 2027, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note, we will be in contact by the end of February 2027 with details of next steps.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ROLES MAY CLOSE EARLIER THAN THE ADVERTISED DEADLINE IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMER OF APPLICATIONS. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID MISSING OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY.
Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity, and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.
At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.
If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.
Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!
Industrial Process Engineer Apprentice in Glasgow 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 Industrial Process Engineer Apprentice in Glasgow
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Thales Group, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Thales Group specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thales Group
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Thales Group, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Thales Group value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
