2026 Software Engineering Apprentice - Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenti[...]

Thales; Crawley; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and aerospace company in Crawley is offering a Software Engineering Apprenticeship. This role combines university studies with practical experience, preparing you for a successful career in engineering. You will develop programming skills while earning a salary of £24,000 per annum. The ideal candidate has a passion for engineering, strong math skills, and an eagerness to learn in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Earn while you learn

Tuition fees covered

Health Care Cash Plan

Company Pension

Annual leave: 201 hours + bank holidays

Life Insurance

Discount Portal

Performance-related pay uplifts

Volunteering hours supported

Qualifications

• Passionate about engineering with an inquisitive mind.
• Willingness to learn and develop as part of an Apprenticeship Programme.

Responsibilities

• Support the team to deliver real-world software solutions.
• Develop skills in programming and create quality software solutions.

Skills

Programming skills in C++

Programming skills in Java

Familiarity with agile environments

Organizational skills

Digital Technologies (AI, Data Analytics)

Education

112 UCAS tariff points at A Level (grades BBC)

5 GCSEs grade 9-4 including English and Maths

Job description

Location: Crawley, United Kingdom. Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference. Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

2026 Software Engineering Apprentice – Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship

Start Date: 07 September 2026

Salary: £24,000 per annum

Employee type: Permanent

Location: Crawley

Working Schedule: Monday – Friday, 37 hours a week (8 hours Monday – Thursday, 5 hours Friday)

Are you passionate about engineering? Do you have an inquisitive mind? Do you want to be part of an Apprenticeship Programme that will develop and challenge you? 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

Our exciting Software Engineering Apprentice role will develop your software skills to become a confident, positive and versatile engineer with well-honed technical knowledge. You will support the team to deliver real‑world software solutions to deadlines and within budget, with opportunities to get involved across the entire development lifecycle.

As a Software Engineering Apprentice you will develop key skills and experience in the following:

• Programming skills in industry standard languages such as C++ and Java
• Experience of working in multi‑disciplined agile environment alongside experienced engineers
• Familiarity with business management tools for managing requirements and formal documentation
• New tools and infrastructure used for the development engineering environment
• Development of secure, quality software solutions that adhere to timescale and budget
• Domain specific knowledge and application of mathematics skills to model and develop real‑world solutions across industries, such as aerospace and underwater systems and software defined radio and electronic counter measure systems (dependant on which business area you are aligned to)
• Opportunity to develop creative and bespoke software solutions
• Organisational skills with well‑rounded communication and relationship building abilities
• Digital Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics

Apprentice Programme

You will enrol onto the Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship at Warwick University, following the Software Engineering pathway. For the duration of this 4 year programme you will combine university studies with practical application, working within our software function in Crawley.

This programme is delivered via a block release delivery model, which includes a blend of on campus delivery and remote learning. For the rest of the time you will be working in the business for 4 days per week and will be given 1 day per week to focus on your apprenticeship studies.

At the end of the apprenticeship you will be working as a software engineer within one of the Thales UK businesses. Your final qualification will be a BSc in Digital and Technology Solutions, plus the Level 6 degree apprenticeship qualification.

Requirements

• 112 UCAS tariff points at A Level (grades BBC) including grade C or above in Maths and at least 1 other relevant STEM subject (any of Engineering, IT, Computing, Web and Telecoms, Physics, Electronics)
• 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 Volunteering (first two years)

Please note, assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February – May 2026. Induction week for all Graduates and Apprentices will take place from Monday 7 September – Friday 11 September 2026.

Closing Date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Thursday 12 February 2026, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note, we will be in contact by the end of February 2026 with details of next steps.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ROLES MAY CLOSE EARLIER THAN THE ADVERTISED DEADLINE IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMER OF APPLICATIONS. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID MISSING OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY.

Recruitment Process

For further information about our Future Talent recruitment process, including hints and tips, or to connect with a member of the Future Talent Team, a Graduate, or an Apprentice, please visit Thales Future Talent - Connectr.

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, all of our roles are subject to security restrictions.

All successful candidates must possess the permanent right to work in the UK, and will be required to go through Government security clearance at BPSS Level and to obtain full Security Clearance (SC) in line with the United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) requirements below, prior to starting with us.

This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. As part of the vetting process you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, eligibility to work in the UK, time spent abroad over the last 5 years, as well as employment and / or educational history.

For further details of the evidence required to apply for security clearance please follow this link – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/nationa…

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro‑diverse applicants or those with a disability or long‑term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!