2027 Machine Learning Apprentice - Level 6 AI Engineer

thales

Templecombe

On-site

GBP 22,000 - 26,000

Full time

35 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Salary £24,000 per annum

Hybrid/flexible working options

Tuition fees fully paid

Permanent role from start

Employer pension

Job summary

Thales in Templecombe is offering a 2027 Machine Learning Apprentice - Level 6 AI Engineer, a permanent apprenticeship combining academic study with real engineering work. You will join our Specialist Underwater Systems Engineering team to deliver AI-driven solutions for critical missions.

The programme runs 23 months, includes hands-on training, and enables payment of tuition while you study, with a pathway to a permanent role and recognised qualifications such as the AI Engineer qualification.

Qualifications

A Levels required with Maths at grade B or above.
One other relevant subject (Physics, Computer Science, Software, ICT).
Alternative: Level 4/5 apprenticeship in a relevant discipline.

Responsibilities

Work with Underwater Systems specialists and software developers to create novel solutions.
Develop solutions with partners across Thales, academia and industry.
Participate in testing and validation activities.
Assist with engineering investigations and problem solving.
Visit customer sites to support surveys, trials and deployment.
Collaborate with experienced engineers on live projects.

Skills

A Levels

Maths (3 A Levels with B or above)

Education

A Levels

GCSEs English & Maths

Level 4/5 apprenticeship

Physics / CS / Software / ICT

Job description

Location: Templecombe, 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.

2027 Machine Learning Apprentice - Level 6 AI Engineer

Start Date: 06 September 2027
Salary: £24,000 per annum
Employee type: Permanent
Location: Templecombe
Working Schedule: Monday - Friday, 37 hours a week (8 hours Monday - Thursday, 5 hours Friday)

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

Benefits of the programme:

Earn a salary while studying for your qualification
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 tuition fees fully paid

About the Role

As a Machine Learning Apprentice , you will develop the technical knowledge, practical skills and professional behaviours needed to become a confident and capable engineer.

Working as part of our Specialist Underwater Systems Engineering team, you will support the rapid delivery of novel solutions, ensuring that our Royal Navy and export customers have the capability needed in today's fast paced environment to carry out their critical missions, keeping them and our nation safe and secure.

Your responsibilities may include:

Working with Underwater Systems specialists and software developers to create novel solutions
Developing solutions with our partners across the multinational Thales organisation, academia and industry
Participating in testing and validation activities
Assisting with engineering investigations and problem solving
Visiting customer sites, platforms and installations to support surveys, trials and system deployment where required
Working with experienced engineers on live projects

What You Will Learn

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

Professional engineering behaviours and industry best practice
Understanding and working with complex engineering systems
Different engineering roles and activities across live projects
The Systems Engineering Lifecycle and key engineering processes
Requirements capture, requirements management and system design techniques
Systems Engineering tools and methods
Testing, integration, verification, validation and qualification (IVVQ) activities
Structured and methodical approaches to problem solving and investigation

Apprenticeship Programme

You will study towards a Level 6 in AI Engineer Apprenticeship with QA. The AI Engineer programme gives you the skills to design, build, and deploy advanced AI systems - including generative AI and deep learning. You'll move from concept to real-world application. Creating solutions that scale and deliver impact.

The programme is 23 months in duration and is delivered via a virtual delivery model combining:

Instructor led live workshops (28 days)
Interactive labs and self-paced learning

Programme structure - You will complete learning in:

AI System Development and Automation
AI Solution Design and Testing
Deep Learning and Transformers
Business Process Optimisation with AI
Security, Ethics and Explainable AI
Leading AI and Future Innovation

On completion of the programme, you will have the opportunity to achieve the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI -102) in addition to the IfATE L6AIE Qualification.

Entry Requirements