At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop engineering skills through hands-on experience and college study in manufacturing.
- Company: Join Thales, a global tech leader shaping the future.
- Benefits: Earn while you learn, with paid tuition and competitive salary.
- Other info: Exciting career progression opportunities and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Combine academic learning with real-world engineering challenges.
- Qualifications: Passion for engineering and relevant qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 24000 £ per year.
Apprentices develop industrial process engineering skills through college study and practical work in manufacturing engineering. Responsibilities include assessing manufacturing readiness, defining and optimizing processes, tooling, documentation and workflows, supporting health and safety, managing configuration changes and failures, attending review boards, and implementing equipment test and control plans. The three-year programme leads to a Level 5 Foundation Engineering Degree in Mechatronics.
If you're passionate about engineering, eager to learn, and looking for a degree 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 university tuition fees fully paid
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.
What You Will Learn:
- Develop an understanding of the required behaviours and codes of practice of a professional Industrial Process engineer
- Understanding complex systems by working on different tasks on ongoing 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
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
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are motivated, committed and keen to learn. You will be a self-starter, able to demonstrate time management skills, working on your own, using your initiative and have a genuine interest in Engineering and Thales. Successful candidates will show self-discipline and an aspiration to achieve a degree qualification.
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)
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.
Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity, and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.
2027 Industrial Process Engineer Apprentice - Level 5 Mechatronics Higher Level Apprenticeship (NI) in Belfast employer: Thales UK Limited
Thales is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Belfast where innovation meets purpose. Employees benefit from a collaborative culture that values diverse perspectives and provides opportunities for professional growth, particularly in the fast-evolving fields of defence and technology. With a commitment to meaningful challenges and a focus on employee well-being, Thales empowers its team to make a significant impact on critical missions while enjoying a rewarding career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 2027 Industrial Process Engineer Apprentice - Level 5 Mechatronics Higher Level Apprenticeship (NI) in Belfast
✨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 UK Limited. 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 UK Limited.
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for an apprenticeship, specifically at places like Thales UK Limited, 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 Industrial Process Engineer Apprentice - Level 5 Mechatronics Higher Level Apprenticeship (NI) in Belfast
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 UK Limited. 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 UK Limited and the specific role of 2027 Industrial Process Engineer Apprentice - Level 5 Mechatronics Higher Level Apprenticeship (NI). 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 UK Limited
✨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 UK Limited.