Are you passionate about engineering?
Do you have an inquisitive mind? Are you looking for an employer who will sponsor you through a degree, whilst providing valuable and exciting on-the-job experience within a global, innovative and industry-leading organisation? If so, read on to see what Thales has on offer within the Industry Team at our Templecombe site…
Benefits of the programme:
- Earn a salary while studying for your degree
- Gain hands‑on experience in a real engineering environment
- Receive job‑specific training and development
- Achieve a recognised engineering qualification
- Secure a permanent role from the start of your apprenticeship
- Have your tuition fees fully paid
About the Role
- The role will develop your engineering skills to become a confident, positive and flexible industrial process engineer with well‑honed technical knowledge gained from both the academic commitments and on the job training.
- You will be part of a team that provides manufacturing solutions in support of our customers’ requirements.
- This will provide many opportunities to experience the various aspects of engineering such as, defining and optimising manufacturing documentation, tools and workflows for manufacturing, performing manufacturing readiness reviews, contributing to the technological innovation to reduce costs and workflows, whilst guaranteeing the feasibility and reproducibility of the process.
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
Apprenticeship Programme
You will study towards a Level 6 Manufacturing Engineer with Yeovil College
Manufacturing Engineers help take products from design to manufacture, ensuring that they are launched on time, at cost and to the right quality. This programme will provide a strong foundation across mechanical, electrical, digital, materials, product design and advanced manufacturing.
This is a 5-year programme delivered via an in‑person delivery model on campus. Over the first 4 years you will attend college on a day release basis to complete your academic studies and will embed your learning in the workplace through your day job. Year 5 will be 100% work‑based and will focus on the completion of your End Point Assessment.
At the end of the programme you will have achieved a BEng in Engineering, as well as a Level 6 Manufacturing Engineer Apprenticeship and will roll‑off the scheme into an Industrial Process Engineer position in our Underwater Systems business.
Entry Requirements
To apply, you will need:
A Levels
- 2 A Levels
- Grade C or above in Maths
- At least one additional STEM subject.
- Or 90+ Credit BTEC Diploma in Engineering (MM)
GCSEs
- Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above
- Must include English Language
- Must include Mathematics
Please note that applicants who already hold a relevant degree will not be eligible for this programme.
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)
About the Company
Thales is a global, innovative and industry‑leading organisation. Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity, and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.
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.
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.
In addition, this role supports a UK Eyes Only programme and is therefore subject to government‑mandated nationality restrictions. To satisfy the security clearance requirements for access to highly sensitive information, applicants must have been British citizens from birth and must not hold any other nationality. This requirement is determined by the UK Government and is a condition of programme access rather than an employment preference.
Industrial Process Engineering - Level 6 Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship in Templecombe 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 Engineering - Level 6 Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship in Templecombe
✨Dive into Local Manufacturing Events
Get yourself out there and check out local manufacturing expos or trade shows! These events are gold mines for networking and can put you in touch with potential employers like Thales Group. Plus, you might discover companies that are looking for apprentices directly.
✨Join Apprenticeship Networks
Look for local apprenticeship networks and community forums focused on manufacturing. Engaging in these spaces can lead you to hidden opportunities and advice from others who’ve been in your shoes — they might have inside info on which companies are hiring apprentices!
✨Reach Out Directly to Companies
Don't shy away from reaching out! If you have specific companies in mind like Thales Group, shoot them an email or give them a call to inquire about potential apprenticeship opportunities. Sometimes, they might not have openings posted, but they’re always keen to meet passionate candidates!
✨Utilise College Resources
If you're studying, tap into your college’s career services for leads on manufacturing apprenticeships. They often have connections with local businesses and can help you polish your application to stand out. And remember, applying through our website can give you a leg up on the competition for positions at Thales Group!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing and production sector, we want to see your hands-on skills. Make sure your CV lists any relevant technical abilities or tools you’ve worked with, like machinery or software specific to production processes. This is your chance to shine a light on any experience you already have, even if it’s just in class or through a hobby!
Highlight Your Commitment to Learning:As this is an apprenticeship, emphasising your eagerness to learn is crucial! In your cover letter, mention specific areas of manufacturing you're excited to learn about, and why you're passionate about joining Thales Group. Show us you’re ready to dive into the practical world of production!
Include Relevant Qualifications:List any qualifications or certifications related to manufacturing—think health and safety, technical courses, or even basic engineering principles. It can help set you apart from others and show you come prepared and informed about the industry standards!
Keep It Relevant and Concise:When applying for an apprenticeship, make sure your documents are straightforward and relevant. Focus on your most pertinent experiences and avoid clutter. Remember, humility goes a long way—if you've worked on projects, even in a school setting, don’t hesitate to include those to reflect your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thales Group
✨Get Hands-On with Machinery
Since you're eyeing an apprenticeship in manufacturing-production, it's crucial to familiarise yourself with the tools and machinery related to the role. We should brush up on our basic mechanical skills and be ready to talk about any hands-on experiences we've had, like school projects or part-time work that involved manual tasks.
✨Show Your Understanding of Safety Protocols
Safety is paramount in manufacturing, so be prepared to discuss health and safety protocols relevant to the industry. We can expect questions focusing on how to maintain a safe working environment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and hazard awareness—making sure we articulate our understanding can really impress the interviewers at Thales Group.
✨Highlight Your Willingness to Learn
As an apprentice, they’re looking for enthusiasm and the willingness to absorb knowledge. Let’s be prepared to discuss how we’ve approached learning new skills in the past, showing we’re ready to embrace the learning curve that comes with this exciting opportunity at Thales Group.
✨Research Typical Production Processes
It might help us to know a thing or two about basic manufacturing processes, such as assembly lines, quality control checks, and production scheduling. We could bring examples of these processes from our research or coursework to showcase our interest and understanding of the field during the interview.
