2026 Digital Manufacturing Engineer Apprentice - Templecombe
THALES UK LIMITED
Templecombe (BA8 0DH)
Closes on Thursday 12 February 2026
Posted on 4 November 2025
Contents
Summary
Do you have an inquisitive mind? Are you interested in how things work? Do you want to be part of an Apprenticeship Programme that will develop and challenge you? If so, read on to see what Thales has on offer within the Industry Team at our Templecombe site…
- Wage
-
£24,000 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Performance related pay uplift Pension - Thales match, plus 1% with a maximum contribution of 7% Health insurance
- Training course
- Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday, Shifts to be confirmed.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
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3 years 6 months
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Our Level 4 Digital Manufacturing Engineer apprenticeship in Templecombe is a fantastic opportunity to understand the complexities and challenges involved in the manufacture of low volume, high-tech products.
Through a series of different placements, you will understand the challenges from different prospectives and the role that digital solutions can play in improving inefficiencies and problem solving.
Where you'll work
Ocean House
Throop Road
Templecombe
BA8 0DH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
YEOVIL COLLEGE
Training course
Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Read and extract relevant engineering and manufacturing related data and information (such as workplans or project plans, schedules, drawings, specifications, production data, quality reports, costing data, statistical information) drawing accurate conclusions and making informed decisions.
- Use project management tools, such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT), stakeholder matrices, risk mapping, radar chart and summary risk profiles.
- Use problem solving tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Failure Modes Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Fishbone, Practical Problem Solving (PPS) and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
- Analyse and interpret data and information in order to generate manufacturing engineering documentation such as Parts Per Million (PPM) quality adherence, cost analysis and test data.
- Communicate using the appropriate method for the audience such as, formal and informal presentations, written reports, verbal, electronic, social media and incorporating relevant and appropriate data or metrics.
- Use the approved process and quality compliance procedure to create or amend engineering or manufacturing documentation.
- Use lean tools and techniques, such as Six Sigma, 8 Wastes, Workplace organisation such as 5S's (sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain), Kaizen and Poka-Yoke (Error proofing).
- Apply documentation control processes and procedures such as format, location, access, authorisation.
- Use financial planning, recording and review processes and documentation such as departmental budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
- Use computer based software systems or packages such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Data Analytics and Databases.
- Read and extract relevant engineering and manufacturing related data and information (such as workplans or project plans, schedules, drawings, specifications, production data, quality reports, costing data, statistical information) drawing accurate conclusions and making informed decisions.
- Use project management tools, such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT), stakeholder matrices, risk mapping, radar chart and summary risk profiles.
- Use problem solving tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Failure Modes Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Fishbone, Practical Problem Solving (PPS) and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
- Analyse and interpret data and information in order to generate manufacturing engineering documentation such as Parts Per Million (PPM) quality adherence, cost analysis and test data.
- Communicate using the appropriate method for the audience such as, formal and informal presentations, written reports, verbal, electronic, social media and incorporating relevant and appropriate data or metrics.
- Use the approved process and quality compliance procedure to create or amend engineering or manufacturing documentation.
- Use lean tools and techniques, such as Six Sigma, 8 Wastes, Workplace organisation such as 5S's (sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain), Kaizen and Poka-Yoke (Error proofing).
- Apply documentation control processes and procedures such as format, location, access, authorisation.
- Use financial planning, recording and review processes and documentation such as departmental budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
- Use computer based software systems or packages such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Data Analytics and Databases.
Training schedule
- As a Digital Manufacturing Engineer, you will enrol onto a Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship at Yeovil College over a 3.5-year duration
- The programme will be delivered via a day release model, whereby you attend college for your academic learning and then apply this back in the workplace against real-life projects
- At the end of the programme, you will have achieved a Higher National Certificate in Engineering or Manufacturing Operations, plus a Level 4 apprenticeship qualification
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
A Level in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Team working
Other requirements
Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, all our roles are subject to security restrictions. All successful candidates must possess the permanent right to work in the UK and will be required to go through Government security clearance at BPSS Level and to obtain full Security Clearance (SC) in line with the United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) requirements below, prior to starting with us. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance. To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. As part of the vetting process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, eligibility to work in the UK, time spent abroad over the last 5 years, as well as employment and / or educational history. For further details of the evidence required to apply for security clearance please follow this link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels
About this 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. We support businesses, organisations, and governments in addressing tomorrow’s major challenges by developing advanced Defence, Security, Cybersecurity, Digital Identity, and Aerospace solutions, in the most sustainable, responsible, and ethical manner.
https://careers.thalesgroup.com/global/en/united-kingdom-apprenticeship (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
• 201 hours annual leave (plus a company day and bank holidays) • Life Insurance • Discount Portal • 80 Hours Volunteering (first two years)
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
- Will qualify and be a permanent member of the Engineering team within the Thales business
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THALES UK LIMITED
THALES UK LIMITED Thales Future Talent Team
suppearlycar@uk.thalesgroup.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000349471.
Apply now
Closes on Thursday 12 February 2026
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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.