2027 Hardware Engineering Apprentice - Crawley

This exciting Hardware Apprentice role will develop your skills by the designing and implementation of the engineering solutions in accordance with programme and product requirements. Typical tasks will range from requirements management via the design and development cycle, to test, integration and validation of complex products and systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, implement and test engineering solutions in accordance with Thales procedures
• Attendance at project reviews
• Creation of functional and physical system architectures
• Preparation of engineering specifications, interface control documents & test documentation
• Deliver tasks on time and to the required quality
• Work as a team-player asking for guidance and direction where necessary
• Develop knowledge and skills within the engineering discipline
• Effectively communicate engineering issues related to own tasks

Through our degree apprenticeship you’ll be making the most of your talents, getting to understand engineering from the ground up; and doing so with the help of one of the biggest and best names in the industry. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are motivated, committed and keen to learn. A self-starter who can manage their time, show initiative and have a genuine interest in engineering and Thales. Successful candidates will show self-discipline and an aspiration to achieve a degree qualification.

Training

You'll work towards a Level 6 Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship with the University of Nottingham while gaining valuable hands-on experience in the workplace. The programme lasts 5.5 years and combines:

• On-campus learning
• Online study
• Practical, work-based learning

You'll typically attend the university for around four weeks each year, delivered in one-week blocks. Throughout the programme, you'll develop both your technical knowledge and practical engineering skills. On successful completion of the apprenticeship and End Point Assessment, you'll achieve:

• A fully funded BEng (Hons) in Electro-Mechanical Engineering
• A Level 6 Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship qualification.

The programme is accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers for those wishing to progress towards Chartered Engineer status later in their career.

What happens at the end

Will qualify with a BEng in Electro-mechanical Engineering and be a permanent Hardware Engineer within the Thales business.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Analytical skills
• Team working

Qualifications

• GCSE 5 GCSES including English and Maths (grade 9-4 (A-C)) - essential
• A Level Maths plus 2 other subjects (grade BBB or equivalent) - essential
• T Level Engineering (grade Merit or above) - essential
• BTEC Extend Diploma in an engineering discipline (grade MMD) - essential

Key details

• Wage: £24,000 a year
• Working week: 37 hours a week, Monday- Thursday 8 hours a day, Friday 5 hours (Flexible start time between 07:00 and 09:30)
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Duration: 5 Years
• Start date: 2027-09-06
• Closing date: 2027-02-17
• Apprenticeship standard: Electro-mechanical engineer (level 6)
• Training provider: UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM, THE

About the employer

Together, we create the ingenious technological systems and innovations that impact and improve people's lives every single day. Even if you haven't heard the name Thales before, you've definitely benefited from our inventiveness. We reinvest 20% of our sales in Research & Development in the UK. Together we supply invention across 4 core areas: Aerospace, Space, Defence and Security, Digital Identity and Security.