2026 Engineering (IVVQ) Apprentice - Level 3 Mechatronics Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship in Stockport

Thales provides armed forces customers with operational advantage at every decisive moment. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver a full range of defence mission systems solutions at land, sea and air. Our platforms extend across the battlespace including Above and Sonar, Electronic Combat, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems. We offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their careers. At Thales UK we research, develop and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day. We innovate across Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space.

Your health and well‑being matters to us, which is why we offer flexibility – part‑time hours, job sharing, home working, flexible start‑and‑finish times – to suit your lifestyle and ambitions.

Start Date: 07 September 2026

Salary: £24,000 per annum

Employee type: Permanent

Location: Cheadle

Working Schedule: 37 hours a week, Monday – Thursday 8 hours a day, Friday 5 hours (Flexible start time between 07:00 and 09:30)

Are you passionate about engineering? Do you have an inquisitive mind? Are you looking for an employer who will sponsor you through a Level 3 Apprenticeship while providing valuable on‑the‑job experience? If so, read on to see what Thales has on offer.

What the role has to offer:

• Earn while you learn
• Job‑specific training experience
• Recognised qualifications
• Permanent role from day one
• Tuition fees for university or approved training providers are fully covered

What you’ll be doing:

Through our Engineering (IVVQ) apprenticeship you’ll conduct System Integration and Test activities at each stage of the project lifecycle, ensuring all aspects of the IVVQ process are completed in line with the Lead Engineer’s or IVVQ Managers’ instructions. This leads to customer factory acceptance and delivery of first‑of‑class and repeat‑production hardware and software systems. A personal development action plan will start after you complete your key skills training, giving you experience and knowledge in all areas of System Integration and Test. After three years and having reached the required level of skill and competence, you will be put forward for an end‑point assessment to complete your apprenticeship. You will become a key member of the team, developing technical knowledge and practical expertise in the use of common and specialist tools and test equipment, including measuring, testing and diagnostic aids to ensure components, assemblies and integrated systems meet specifications.

Apprentice Programme: As an Engineering (IVVQ) Apprentice you will be working towards a Level 3 apprenticeship following the Mechatronics Maintenance Technician standard. For the duration of the three‑year programme you will spend one day per week completing studies at a local college; the remaining four days will be spent working in the business, applying learning and gaining breadth of experience across the industry.

Requirements:

• 5 GCSEs grade 9‑4 (A‑C), including English and Maths

Benefits:

• 201 hours annual leave (plus a company day and bank holidays)
• Company pension
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Life Insurance
• Discount Portal
• Performance‑related pay uplifts
• 80 hours of volunteering (first two years)

Closing date: 11.59 pm on Thursday 12 February 2026 – this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Roles may close earlier than the advertised deadline if we receive a high number of applications. Apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out. All applicants must possess the permanent right to work in the UK and will be required to obtain and maintain Security Clearance (SC) before starting employment. Thales is an equal opportunities employer and values diversity and inclusion. Great journeys start here – apply now!