2027 Hardware Engineering Apprentice

thales; Crawley; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working options

Tuition paid

Pension plan

Health care cash plan

Employee discounts

Job summary

Thales in Crawley, United Kingdom, is recruiting a Hardware Engineering Apprentice to join a Level 6 Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship. The role runs 37 hours weekly, with a starting salary of £24,000 per annum and a 5.5-year pathway toward a fully funded BEng (Hons) in Electro-Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nottingham.

The programme combines on-campus learning, online study and practical work, with hybrid/flexible working options and a route to a permanent role

Qualifications

• 3 A Levels (BBB) including Mathematics
• 5 GCSEs grade 9-4 (A-C) including English and Maths
• Applicants who already hold a relevant degree will not be eligible

Responsibilities

• Design, implement and test engineering solutions per Thales procedures
• Attend project reviews and contribute to design decisions
• Create functional and physical system architectures and interface controls
• Prepare engineering specifications, I/O documents & test plans
• Deliver tasks on time and to the required quality
• Collaborate effectively within a multi-disciplinary team
• Develop knowledge and skills within the engineering discipline
• Communicate engineering issues clearly to stakeholders

Skills

Time management

Self-motivation

Team player

Education

A Levels (BBB) incl Mathematics

GCSEs 5 including English & Maths

Job description

2027 Hardware Engineering Apprentice - Level 6 Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

Location: Crawley, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Start Date: Monday 6 September 2027

Salary: £24,000 per annum

Employee Type: Permanent

Location: Crawley

Working Schedule: 37 hours a week, Monday - Thursday 8 hours a day, Friday 5 hours (Flexible start time between 07:00 and 09:30)

Turn your curiosity into a career. If you're passionate about engineering, eager to learn, and looking for a degree apprenticeship that blends academic study with hands‑on experience, we'd love to hear from you....

We're currently recruiting an apprentice to join our Hardware Engineering team, while also completing an Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship. It's a fantastic opportunity to grow, as well as develop your skills.

Benefits of the Programme:

• Earn a salary while studying for your apprenticeship
• Gain hands‑on experience in a real engineering environment
• Receive job‑specific training and development
• Achieve a recognised engineering qualification
• Secure a permanent role from the start of your apprenticeship
• Have your university tuition fees fully paid

About the Role:

This exciting Hardware Apprentice role will develop your skills by the designing and implementation of the engineering solutions in accordance with programme and product requirements. Typical tasks will range from requirements management via the design and development cycle, to test, integration and validation of complex products and systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, implement and test engineering solutions in accordance with Thales procedures
• Attendance at project reviews
• Creation of functional and physical system architectures
• Preparation of engineering specifications, interface control documents & test documentation
• Deliver tasks on time and to the required quality
• Work as a team‑player asking for guidance and direction where necessary
• Develop knowledge and skills within the engineering discipline
• Effectively communicate engineering issues related to own tasks
• And much more....

Through our degree apprenticeship you'll be making the most of your talents, getting to understand engineering from the ground up; and doing so with the help of one of the biggest and best names in the industry. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are motivated, committed and keen to learn. A self‑starter who can manage their time, show initiative and have a genuine interest in engineering and Thales. Successful candidates will show self‑discipline and an aspiration to achieve a degree qualification.

Apprenticeship Programme:

You'll work towards a Level 6 Electro‑Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship with the University of Nottingham while gaining valuable hands‑on experience in the workplace.

The programme lasts 5.5 years and combines:

• On‑campus learning
• Online study
• Practical, work‑based learning

You'll typically attend the university for around four weeks each year, delivered in one‑week blocks. Throughout the programme, you'll develop both your technical knowledge and practical engineering skills.

On successful completion of the apprenticeship and End Point Assessment, you'll achieve:

• A fully funded BEng (Hons) in Electro‑Mechanical Engineering
• A Level 6 Electro‑Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship qualification.

The programme is accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers for those wishing to progress towards Chartered Engineer status later in their career.

Entry Requirements:

• 3 A Levels (BBB) including Mathematics (Citizenship Skills, General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted), Alternative Level 3 qualifications will be accepted, subject to passing a Maths assessment. Alternative Level 3 qualifications include Engineering and Manufacturing T Level (Merit), BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering discipline (MMD) or a preceding engineering apprenticeship
• 5 GCSES grade 9-4 (A-C) including English and Maths

Please note that applicants who already hold a relevant degree will not be eligible for this programme.

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)