2027 Software Engineering Apprentice - Cheadle

Thales Group; Stockport; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales Group in the UK is offering a Software Engineering Apprentice role based at our Cheadle site. You will study towards a Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship with Manchester Metropolitan University, while working on live software projects.

For the duration of this 4-year programme you will attend MMU one day per week and four days at the Cheadle site, applying learning to real work and developing professional engineering skills.

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English required.
• A Levels with 104 UCAS points required.

Responsibilities

• Supporting system requirement and design activities.
• Developing software solutions to fulfil an actual business need.
• Contributing to project reviews.
• Assisting with engineering investigations and problem solving.
• Communicating technical recommendations to stakeholders.
• Working with experienced engineers on live projects.

Skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Problem solving skills

Administrative skills

Analytical skills

Logical

Team working

Creative

Initiative

Education

GCSE Maths & English (Grade 9-4)

A Level (104 UCAS points)

Job description

As a Software Engineering 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 Software Engineering team, you will support the delivery of software solutions, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Supporting system requirement and design activities
• Developing software solutions to fulfil an actual business need
• Contributing to project reviews
• Assisting with engineering investigations and problem solving
• Communicating technical recommendations to stakeholders
• Working with experienced engineers on live projects

Training

Apprenticeship Programme

You will study towards a Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship with Manchester Metropolitan University.

As a Software Engineering Apprentice, you’ll develop a broad set of skills and knowledge across the digital and technology landscape. You’ll learn how information systems work, how software is built and tested, and how data and cyber security fit into real business environments - alongside the fundamentals of business organisation, IT project management, and computer and network infrastructures.

Your learning is supported through taught units and work-based projects, where possible focused on live business scenarios and real-world problem solving, with experienced support throughout.

For the duration of this 4-year programme you will attend Manchester Metropolitan University one day per week to study. For the other four days you will be working at our Cheadle site, applying your learning to real work projects and gain a breadth of experience with your teammates. At the end of the apprenticeship, you will be working as a Software Engineer within the Thales UK businesses.

The programme is delivered through a blended learning approach, combining:

• On campus teaching, face to face one day a week during the academic year
• Online workshops/classes
• Guided self-study

Throughout the 4-year programme, you will combine university study with practical workplace experience, developing both academic knowledge and professional engineering skills.

What happens at the end

Secure a permanent role from day one at the start of your apprenticeship.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative

Qualifications

• GCSE 5 subjects including Maths & English (grade 9 - 4 or A-C) - essential
• A Level any subjects (grade 104 UCAS points - B, C, C) - essential

Key details

• Wage: £24,000 a year
• Working week: Monday - Friday (8 hours, Monday - Thursday. 5 hours, Friday).
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Duration: 4 Years
• Start date: 2027-09-06
• Closing date: 2027-02-17
• Apprenticeship standard: Digital and technology solutions professional (level 6)
• Training provider: MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

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.