Key Takeaways
- Undertake a Level 5 Higher Level Apprenticeship in Mechatronic Engineering, leading to a Foundation Engineering Degree.
- Earn a salary of £24,000 per annum, with potential for performance-related uplifts.
- Gain hands-on experience in a real engineering environment with rotational programmes.
- Applications close on Wednesday 17 February 2027, but may close earlier.
- Role is based in Belfast and requires residency in Northern Ireland for the past 5 years due to security clearance requirements.
About the Role
As an Engineering Apprentice, you’ll be learning and building real mechatronic engineering skills to grow into a confident, positive, and flexible engineer. You’ll develop a strong technical base and get the chance to work on challenging engineering problems as part of a supportive team.
Mechatronics combines mechanical engineering, electronics, and software. You’ll learn how to think through design, create solutions, and understand how technology helps make systems work automatically.
In this role, you’ll help the team deliver solutions to meet deadlines, quality expectations, and budget. You’ll learn how good engineering decisions are made, balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability while working with different parts of the business.
How this helps you grow:
- Build practical, transferable engineering skills: Learn how designs are made ready for real-world production.
- Become more confident in engineering problem-solving: Work with guidance, break down challenges, and find solutions.
- Understand how engineering decisions are made: See how cost, quality, and performance trade-offs influence the design process.
- Learn through teamwork: Collaborate with people from different disciplines and build professional communication skills.
What You Will Learn
- How our business works, especially across Engineering (software, hardware, and systems).
- How engineering and the wider business connect, with exposure to functions outside Engineering.
- Learning from experienced professionals and leadership teams.
- Building your network within a large community of future talent.
- Developing through a designed pathway with internal rotational programmes.
Apprenticeship Programme
You will be studying towards a Level 5 Higher Level Apprenticeship, Foundation Engineering Degree (FdEng) in Mechatronics with the South Eastern Regional College in Bangor. The 3-year programme includes an initial rotation plan, followed by specialisation in a particular engineering function.
You will attend college one day per week, with the other four days spent working in engineering departments.
Upon successful completion, there is 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, motivated, and committed individuals keen to learn. You should be a self-starter with time management skills, able to work independently using your initiative, and have a genuine interest in Engineering and Thales. Successful candidates will demonstrate self-discipline and an aspiration to achieve a degree qualification.
Please Note:
- Applicants who already hold a relevant degree will not be eligible for this programme.
- This opportunity is available in Belfast and open to all Northern Ireland residents.
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).
Recruitment Process
- Apply Online: Submit your application online.
- Upload Your CV.
- Check your emails for an invitation to apply.
- Complete Your Application: Follow the link provided to complete your application (you can apply for one primary role and up to 3 additional roles).
- Complete Online Tests.
- Virtual Assessment Centre: Includes group exercises and competency-based interviews.
- Job Offer.
Assessment centres will be held between February - May 2027. Induction week is 6 September - 10 September 2027.
Security Requirements: All roles are subject to security requirements. You must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to complete and maintain UK Government security checks (BPSS and SC clearance). To be eligible for SC clearance, you will typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years.