Digital and Technology Solutions Apprenticeship – Software Engineering Pathway

Prospects; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded qualification

Personal development training

Minimum 28 days holiday allowance

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share scheme

Flexible benefits (cycle to work, e-sh

Job summary

Cavendish Nuclear is offering a Digital and Technology Solutions Apprenticeship in the UK, aligned with a BSc Honours Degree at the University of Exeter. You will work within our Mission Systems division, contributing to software development for national security and defence across lifecycles from concept to testing.

You will gain hands-on experience in submarine systems, communications and security, and be trained in Agile practices and AI-assisted development.

Qualifications

• GCSEs at grade C/4 or above plus A Levels/BTec/Level 4 Digital Apprenticeship as eligible paths.
• Strong IT proficiency and familiarity with software development tools and web technologies.

Skills

IT proficiency

HTML

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Education

GCSEs grade C/4 or above

A Levels (math/science/IT)

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM or above

Level 4 Digital Apprenticeship

Tools

HTML & Web technologies

Job description

Our 5-year Digital and Technology Solutions Apprenticeship offers an exciting opportunity to kickstart your career in software engineering. You'll work on real projects while studying for a BSc Honours Degree in Digital and Technology Solutions with the University of Exeter - combining academic learning with industry experience.

From day one, you'll be part of our Mission Systems business, helping us develop innovative software that supports national security and defence. From cutting edge development of machine learning models to intelligent sensor technologies able to analyse the electromagnetic environment, our software needs to be proven, reliable and fully integrated.

You'll work in design offices, laboratories and workshops, contributing to live projects in areas such as submarine systems, communications and security, command and control and electronic warfare. Whether you're helping to build an audio console or supporting software for a world-class ship, you'll be involved in the full development lifecycle - from concept through to testing.

This programme offers the opportunity to develop skills across both traditional and modern software development practices, including Agile ways of working and AI-assisted development techniques used within the defence sector.

Working alongside experienced professionals, you'll gain hands-on experience, build your technical expertise, and develop the skills needed to contribute to real-world projects from the start.

These skills will enable you to contribute to the delivery of innovative digital technologies that help keep people, assets and information safe - supporting our shared purpose of creating a safe and secure world, together.

Future prospects

By the end of your apprenticeship, you'll have earned a BSc Honours Degree in Digital and Technology Solutions and gained rich work experience in software engineering.

In addition to your technical development, you'll have built valuable project management skills through activities such as project planning, resourcing, budgeting, document management, and configuration control.

Upon successful completion of your apprenticeship, you'll be ready to progress into your first substantive role within the business - typically as an Assistant Software Engineer or Software Engineer.

What you'll need

• A minimum of five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent), plus one of the following:
  • A minimum of three A Levels at grade B or above, preferably in related subjects such as Mathematics, Science, or IT.
  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma at DDM or above
  • Successful completion of a Level 4 Digital Apprenticeship
• You'll also need strong IT proficiency, familiarity with software development tools and web technologies (such as HTML), and excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Many of our programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) security clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search 'United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels'.
• Under applicable national security legislation, this post may only be occupied by a UK national. This legal requirement is independent of our recruitment policies, and all eligible applicants will be assessed fairly and without discrimination.

What you'll get

• Fully funded qualification
• Personal development training and opportunities
• Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
• Competitive pension scheme
• Employee share scheme
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portal

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.

Your career development

It's hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you'll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career. Plus, when you join us, you'll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme.

Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.

As part of your apprenticeship, you will study for the BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions through the University of Exeter. You'll complete your studies part-time over four years while gaining hands-on experience in the workplace.

In years 1 and 2, you'll build a strong foundation in digital technologies. In years 3 and 4, you'll specialise in Software Engineering. During your final year, you'll work full-time in placements while completing your End Point Assessment. Your technical training will be supplemented with in-house training courses and soft skill training to further develop your personal and team working skills.

We are Cavendish Nuclear, a wholly owned subsidiary of Babcock International Group and the UK's leading nuclear services company. With a highly skilled workforce we are located at offices and sites in the UK as well as internationally. Our people innovate to make nuclear safer, faster, at lower cost and deliver across all aspects of the nuclear energy life cycle, from design and build, through operations and maintenance, to decommissioning, waste management and remediation.

A career with us is hugely rewarding and exciting; one that stretches and challenges individuals to be the best they can be. When you join Cavendish Nuclear, you will have opportunities to work on projects that will have an impact on the future.

At Cavendish Nuclear we put people first. Work with us and you'll discover that our focus on people is unique.