2027 Systems Engineering Graduate - Cheadle

Thales Group; Cheadle Hulme; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £34k p.a.

Hybrid/flexible working

Pension scheme

Health care plan

Volunteering 80 hours/yr

Learning & development

Job summary

Thales Group in the United Kingdom offers a 3-year Engineering Development Programme designed to fast-track new graduates. You will rotate in Year 3 across the country while working on current and new engineering projects to meet customer needs.

You will be supported by the Engineering Leadership team and follow a defined learning path to build essential engineering skills, knowledge and competencies, culminating in a strong cross-functional network within Thales.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM subject required or in progress.
• Strong numerical and analytical abilities with problem-solving mindset.
• Eligibility to work in the UK and security clearances as required.

Responsibilities

• Complete a 3-year Graduate Development Programme accredited by IET, IMechE and RAeS.
• Rotate in Year 3 across UK locations with different engineering lifecycles.
• Follow a structured learning pathway under Engineering Leadership guidance.
• Develop core engineering skills and knowledge while working on products.
• Build a professional network across the Thales organisation.

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM subject

Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering

Electrical and/or Electronic Engineering

Information Technology

Mathematics

Physics

Systems Engineering

AI, Machine Learning and Cybernetics

Computing or Computer Science

All applicable technical or related degrees will be considered

Job description

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 is the Engineering Development 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.

During the programme, you will:

• Complete a 3-year Graduate Development Programme which is accredited by the IET, IMechE and RAeS


• An opportunity to rotate in Year 3 or explore an external secondment with one of our Thales partners


• Participate in a core training pathway focusing on transversal skills


• Develop key engineering skills, knowledge and competencies


• Work in a set location and domain for the entirety of the scheme, enabling you to fully understand how the Engineering Function operates


• Work on exciting new and existing products


• Build a professional network across the organisation

Requirements

This is an entry-level graduate opportunity designed for individuals at the start of their professional career. We welcome applications from candidates who have completed a degree and have limited relevant professional experience. 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


• AI, Machine Learning and Cybernetics


• Computing or Computer Science


• All applicable technical or related degrees will be considered

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £34,000 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)

Closing date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 6 January 2027, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note, we will be in contact by the end of February 2027 with details of next steps.

Because of the work we do at Thales, all roles are subject to security requirements.

To be considered for this position, you must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete and maintain UK Government security checks, including Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) screening and Security Clearance (SC), which is a government background check, before starting employment.

To be eligible for SC clearance, you will typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. As part of the vetting process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, right to work in the UK, any time spent overseas during the last five years, and your employment and/or education history.

In addition, this role supports a UK Eyes Only programme and is therefore subject to government‑mandated nationality restrictions. To satisfy the security clearance requirements for access to highly sensitive information, applicants must have been British citizens from birth and must not hold any other nationality. This requirement is determined by the UK Government and is a condition of programme access rather than an employment preference.

About the Company

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.