2026 Systems Engineering Graduate

Thales; Cheadle; On-site; GBP 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Cheadle is seeking candidates for its Graduate Programme. This role offers a permanent position from day one, engaging in various engineering projects and providing mentorship from senior engineers. Ideal candidates have a STEM degree and a passion for engineering, aiming to develop their career within a renowned organization. Benefits include 201 hours of annual leave, health care plans, and opportunities for personal development.

Benefits

201 hours annual leave

Company Pension

Health Care Cash Plan

Life Insurance

Performance-related pay uplifts

Qualifications

• Degree in Aeronautical, Electrical, Computer Science, or a related field.
• An intrinsic interest in engineering and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Work on exciting engineering projects.
• Participate in a structured learning pathway.
• Rotate through different business units in Year 3.

Skills

Passion for engineering

Inquisitive mind

Education

Bachelor's degree in a STEM subject

Job description

Location: Cheadle, United Kingdom

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make tomorrow’s possibilities real. 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 matter 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 Systems Engineering Graduate

Start Date: 07 September 2026

Salary: £34,000 per annum

Location: Cheadle

Employee type: Permanent

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 a Graduate Programme that will develop and challenge you? If so, then look no further…

What the role has to offer

• Permanent role from day one
• Work on exciting projects within our business units
• Receive mentorship and support from our Engineering Leadership team
• Opportunity in Year 3 to rotate into different business units and experience different parts of an engineering lifecycle

This is an exciting engineering graduate programme designed to create the next generation of aspiring engineering experts, specialists and leaders for Thales in the UK. We are looking for people with a passion for engineering and/or design and development combined with an inquisitive mind and an intrinsic interest in people, leadership and success through teamwork. If you are looking for a broad learning experience, Thales offers you extensive development and challenges and will support you so that you can drive your career progression at the right rate for you.

Graduate Programme

This is a 3-year programme with the option to rotate, in Year 3, around the country across different business units experiencing different parts of an engineering lifecycle. You will be assigned to a succession of new or existing programmes where you will work with and be supported by other engineers to design and develop engineering solutions to meet the needs of our customers.

During your time on the programme, you will be under the sponsorship and guidance of the Engineering Leadership team and will follow a structured and detailed learning pathway to fast‑track your development within your role.

Requirements

You will have gained or be on track to achieve a bachelor’s degree in a STEM subject in one of the following subject areas:

• Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering
• Electrical and/or Electronic Engineering
• Information Technology
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Systems Engineering
• Computing or Computer Science
• AI, Machine Learning and Cybernetics
• All applicable technical or related degrees will be considered

This programme is a great opportunity to work in one of the world’s leading engineering organisations and develop a long-term career building engineering solutions together, safer, everywhere.

Please note that Graduate Development Programme (GDP) activities take place during the working week but may require the investment of some personal time for travel and follow‑up activities. You may have the opportunity to travel to Thales and non‑Thales sites throughout the UK when participating in GDP activities.

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)

Assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February – May 2026.

Induction week for all Graduate and Apprentices will take place from Monday 07 September – Friday 11 September 2026.

Closing date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Monday 5 January 2026, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. 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 before starting with us.

This role requires you to be a sole British National from birth and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if you currently hold it; if not, you must undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. The vetting process will require evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, time spent abroad over the last 5 years, and employment and/or education 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 NV) 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!