Academy Engineer Apprentice - Level 6 Higher Level Apprenticeship - Mechatronic Engineering

As an Engineering Apprentice, you’ll be learning and building real mechatronic engineering skills, helping you 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, so 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 to 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

Throughout the apprenticeship, you will gain experience and knowledge in:

• How our business works, especially across Engineering (software, hardware, and systems).
• Engineering and the wider business: exposure to functions outside Engineering to understand business setup and decision-making.
• Learning from experienced experts and leadership teams.
• Building your network within a large community of future talent.
• Developing through a designed pathway with internal rotational programmes to gain experience in the right teams.

Apprenticeship Programme

You will be studying towards a Level 6 Higher Level Apprenticeship, finishing with a BEng Mechatronic Engineering degree with Ulster University in Belfast.

This is a 4-year programme:

• Year 1: Attend university lectures and tutorials 4 days per week, remotely complete Thales engineering project work, and spend 1 day per week onsite developing engineering knowledge.
• Year 2 onwards: Attend university 1 day per week and work in engineering for 4 days, applying university learning in a real-life engineering environment.

Entry Requirements

A Levels

• 112 UCAS points (A Level BBC) including Grade B in a STEM Subject (Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Technology & Design, Engineering, Electronics, Double Award Science/Applied Science).
• Or equivalent BTEC Extended Diploma (DMM) including a merit in Engineering Principles and Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems.
• Combination of smaller BTEC Diploma plus A levels or other acceptable Level 3 qualifications as per the Ulster University BEng Mechatronic Engineering degree entry requirements.

GCSEs

• 5 GCSEs 9-4 (A-C), including Maths and English.

Important Notes:

• 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.
• Right to Work in the UK for the duration of the programme is necessary.
• 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 (BPSS and SC).

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)

Application Process

1. Apply Online: Submit your application online.
2. Upload Your CV
3. Check Emails: Look for an invitation to apply from recruiting@jobalerts.thalesgroup.com.
4. Complete Application: Follow the link to apply for one primary role and up to 3 additional roles.
5. Online Tests: Undertake online assessments.
6. Virtual Assessment Centre: For shortlisted candidates, including group exercises and competency-based interviews.
7. Job Offer: Successful candidates will receive an offer.

Assessment centres will be held between February - May 2027. Induction week is 6 September - 10 September 2027.

Please note: Roles may close earlier than the advertised deadline if a high number of applications are received. Apply as soon as possible.