2027 Mechanical Engineering Apprentice - Templecombe

Thales; Itchen Abbas; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales Group in the United Kingdom offers a Level 6 Electro‑Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship with the University of Nottingham. The five-year program combines on-campus learning, online study, and practical work-based learning, culminating in a BEng and a Level 6 degree apprenticeship qualification.

Start date is 2027-09-06, with a closing date of 2027-02-17. Apprentices earn £24,000 per year, work 37 hours weekly, and progress into a permanent role after End Point Assessment.

Qualifications

• GCSEs including English and Maths (grades 9-4).
• A Levels including maths (grades BBB).
• Willingness to undertake a five-year degree apprenticeship at a university.

Responsibilities

• Designing mechanical parts and systems using CAD software; packaging electronics and cabling.
• Designing equipment for military platforms.
• Producing manufacturing and assembly drawings for production teams.
• Understanding stress, shock and vibration in designs.
• Building and testing prototypes.
• Qualifying products for demanding environments.
• Applying design-for-manufacture principles.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving skills

Number skills

Analytical skills

Logical

Team working

Education

GCSEs including English and Maths

A Levels including maths

Job description

Your responsibilities may include:

• Designing mechanical parts and systems using CAD software
  Packaging of electronics and associated cabling
• Designing equipment that can be installed on military platforms
• Producing manufacturing and assembly drawings for production teams
• Understanding factors such as stress, shock and vibration when designing products
• Building and testing prototypes during product development
• Helping qualify products for use in demanding operational environments
• Applying design-for-manufacture principles to create practical and efficient solutions

During this role, you'll gain valuable experience across the full product development lifecycle while working with experienced engineers and advanced defence technologies.

You will learn:

• Advanced CAD design techniques and best practices
• How electronic and mechanical systems are integrated into complex products
• Engineering design principles for defence and naval applications
• How to create professional manufacturing and assembly drawings
• Product testing, environmental qualification and validation processes
• Prototype building and hands‑on development skills
• Design for manufacture principles to improve product quality and efficiency
• How defence products are developed for the Ministry of Defence and international customers
• Teamworking and problem‑solving skills within a multi‑disciplinary engineering environment

Training

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 five years and combines:

• On‑campus learning (approx. 4 weeks per academic year)
• Online study
• Practical, work‑based learning

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 to support those who wish to apply for Chartered Engineer status later in their career.

What happens at the end

Upon completion of the programme, you will have achieved a BSc in Electro‑mechanical Engineering, a Level 6‑degree apprenticeship qualification and will move into a permanent role within the business. The degree is accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working

Qualifications

• GCSE 5 GCSEs Including English and Maths (grade 9-4 (A-C)) - essential
• A Level 3 subjects including maths (grade BBB) - essential

Key details

• Wage: £24,000 a year
• Working week: Monday - Thursday, 8 hours per day. Friday, 5 hours. Exact timings to be confirmed.
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Duration: 5 Years
• Start date: 2027-09-06
• Closing date: 2027-02-17
• Apprenticeship standard: Electro‑mechanical engineer (level 6)
• Training provider: UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM, THE

About the employer

Together, we create the ingenious technological systems and innovations that impact and improve people's lives every single day. Even if you haven't heard the name Thales before, you've definitely benefited from our inventiveness. We reinvest 20% of our sales in Research & Development in the UK. Together we supply invention across 4 core areas: Aerospace, Space, Defence and Security, Digital Identity and Security.