At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop software solutions and support live projects with experienced engineers.
- Company: Join Thales, a leader in innovative technology impacting lives daily.
- Benefits: Earn £24,000 a year, gain a degree, and enjoy hands-on experience.
- Other info: Secure a permanent role from day one and enjoy excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career with a blend of study and real-world engineering experience.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths & English and A Levels with 104 UCAS points required.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 24000 £ per year.
As a Software Engineering Apprentice, you will develop the technical knowledge, practical skills and professional behaviours needed to become a confident and capable engineer. Working as part of our Software Engineering team, you will support the delivery of software solutions, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
Your responsibilities may include:
- Supporting system requirement and design activities
- Developing software solutions to fulfil an actual business need
- Contributing to project reviews
- Assisting with engineering investigations and problem solving
- Communicating technical recommendations to stakeholders
- Working with experienced engineers on live projects
Training Apprenticeship Programme
You will study towards a Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship with Manchester Metropolitan University. As a Software Engineering Apprentice, you’ll develop a broad set of skills and knowledge across the digital and technology landscape. You’ll learn how information systems work, how software is built and tested, and how data and cyber security fit into real business environments - alongside the fundamentals of business organisation, IT project management, and computer and network infrastructures.
Your learning is supported through taught units and work-based projects, where possible focused on live business scenarios and real-world problem solving, with experienced support throughout. For the duration of this 4-year programme you will attend Manchester Metropolitan University one day per week to study. For the other four days you will be working at our Cheadle site, applying your learning to real work projects and gain a breadth of experience with your teammates. At the end of the apprenticeship, you will be working as a Software Engineer within the Thales UK businesses.
The programme is delivered through a blended learning approach, combining:
- On campus teaching, face to face one day a week during the academic year
- Online workshops/classes
- Guided self-study
Throughout the 4-year programme, you will combine university study with practical workplace experience, developing both academic knowledge and professional engineering skills.
What happens at the end
Secure a permanent role from day one at the start of your apprenticeship.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
Qualifications
- GCSE 5 subjects including Maths & English (grade 9 - 4 or A-C) - essential
- A Level any subjects (grade 104 UCAS points - B, C, C) - essential
Key details
- Wage: £24,000 a year
- Working week: Monday - Friday (8 hours, Monday - Thursday. 5 hours, Friday).
- Hours: 37 hours per week
- Duration: 4 Years
- Start date: 2027-09-06
- Closing date: 2027-02-17
- Apprenticeship standard: Digital and technology solutions professional (level 6)
- Training provider: MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
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.
2027 Software Engineering Apprentice - Cheadle in Stockport employer: Thales
Thales is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Glasgow where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including a performance-related bonus and generous leave policies, and a commitment to inclusivity, Thales empowers its employees to thrive while contributing to critical projects in the Sea sector. Join us to be part of a team that values your unique strengths and supports your professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 2027 Software Engineering Apprentice - Cheadle in Stockport
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Thales or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Thales.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Thales.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Thales that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace 2027 Software Engineering Apprentice - Cheadle in Stockport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Thales.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Thales and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thales
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Thales uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
