2025 Systems Engineering Apprentice - Cheadle

THALES UK LIMITED

Stockport, SK3 0XB

Closes on Sunday 16 February

Posted on 21 October 2024

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Summary

The role will develop your engineering skills to become a confident, positive and flexible engineer with well-honed technical knowledge gained from the academic commitments, supporting the team to deliver systems and equipment solutions to deadlines and within budget.

Annual wage
£22,500 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Pension – Thales match, plus 1%, with a maximum contribution of 7% • Health Insurance – 50% of salary for five years • Performance related pay uplifts

Training course
Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)
Hours
Flexible working, Monday - Friday, 37 hours per week, Manager to confirm exact hours.

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 1 September

Duration

4 years

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

As a Systems Engineering Apprentice you will develop the key skills and experience in the following:

  • Develop an understanding of the required behaviours and codes of practice of a professional engineer
  • Understanding complex systems by working on different roles and tasks on on-going projects
  • Familiarity with the Systems Engineering Lifecycle and activities
  • Familiarity with System Engineering tools and methods for requirements capture, requirements management and system design
  • An understanding of systems tests activities including Integration, Validation, Verification & Qualification (IVVQ) and the associated processes and tools
  • A methodical and structured approach to problem investigation

Where you’ll work

Dolphin House

Ashurst Drive

Stockport

SK3 0XB

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK

Your training course

Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)

Equal to degree

Course contents
  • Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes or operational designs or specifications for products, systems or components to solve engineering challenges such as compliance, technology, technical or physical challenges.
  • Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve complex problems and determine appropriate solutions or actions such as Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC), Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) or Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA).
  • Collate and use a range of data sources and supporting documentation to support projects.
  • Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, project plans, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics using company documentation systems and guidelines.
  • Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data or developmental or test evidence.
  • Manage assigned projects or programmes of work to meet the required specification, taking into account factors such as resource requirements, safety, quality, cost and performance or sustainability criteria. Apply processes for project or programme management including outcomes such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
  • Comply with statutory and organisational safety standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
  • Identify resources, such as digital tools or technologies, human, equipment, materials or data, to complete design and development projects or programmes of work.
  • Create and manage a project or work programme plan and develop activities in a logical process embedding mechanisms for adapting to changing circumstances or requirements.
  • Demonstrate leadership when undertaking product design, development, modification or update engineering activities.
  • Identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the design or development process, which may impact the quality and reliability of the product, system or component.
  • Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured and checked for safe operation before use.
  • Evaluate engineering designs, development or modification options.
  • Identify areas for improvement and lead continuous improvement activities in the operation and performance of the product, system or component.
  • Complete project documentation checks throughout the activity and report non-conformances.

    • Your training plan

    As a Systems Engineering Apprentice you will be enrolled onto the Level 6 Applied Professional Engineering Programme at Warwick University, following the Product Design and Development pathway.

    Delivered via a blended learning model, this programme combines the best of both with on campus delivery (6 block weeks per year) plus virtual coaching and online resources.

    The first two years on programme will be common across all pathways and will provide a broad engineering skill set including mechanical, electrical, electronic, materials and design, plus computational. In Year 3 and Year 4 learners will move to their specialist pathway. For the duration of this 4 year programme you will combine university studies with practical application, working within our Systems function in Cheadle.

    Requirements

    Essential qualifications

    GCSE in:

    • 5 GCSEs incl. Maths, English & a STEM subject (grade A*-C or 9-4)
    • Maths and a further STEM subject (grade B)

    Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

    Skills

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

    Other requirements

    Candidates will need a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points at A Level including a grade B in Maths and at least 1 further STEM subject (Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Electronics) or an equivalent e.g. BTEC DMM. They will also require 5 GCSEs grade A-C (9-4) including English and Maths.

    About this company

    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.

    https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/uk-career (opens in new tab)

    Company benefits

    • Healthcare Cash Plan • 80 hours (10 days) volunteering in your first 2 years depending on length of programme • 201 hours annual leave (plus a company day and bank holidays) • Discount Portal

    Disability Confident

    Disability Confident

    A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

    You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

    After this apprenticeship

    • You will become a system engineer within the system function

    Ask a question

    The contact for this apprenticeship is:

    THALES UK LIMITED

    Thales Early Careers Team

    suppearlycar@uk.thalesgroup.com

    The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000283232.

    Apply now

    Closes on Sunday 16 February

    When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

    After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.