2027 Hardware Engineering Apprentice - Crawley
THALES UK LIMITED
Crawley (RH10 9HA)
Closes on Wednesday 17 February 2027
Posted on 5 October 2026
Contents
Summary
If you’re passionate about engineering, eager to learn, and looking for an apprenticeship that blends study with hands-on experience, we’d love to hear from you...
We’re recruiting an apprentice to join our Hardware Engineering team, whilst completing an Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship.
- Wage
-
£24,000 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
- Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum
- Performance-related pay uplifts
- Contributory Company Pension
- Training course
- Electro-mechanical engineer (level 6)
- Hours
-
37 hours a week, Monday- Thursday 8 hours a day, Friday 5 hours (Flexible start time between 07:00 and 09:30)
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 6 September 2027
- Duration
-
5 years
- Positions available
-
4
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
This exciting Hardware Apprentice role will develop your skills by the designing and implementation of the engineering solutions in accordance with programme and product requirements. Typical tasks will range from requirements management via the design and development cycle, to test, integration and validation of complex products and systems.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, implement and test engineering solutions in accordance with Thales procedures
- Attendance at project reviews
- Creation of functional and physical system architectures
- Preparation of engineering specifications, interface control documents & test documentation
- Deliver tasks on time and to the required quality
- Work as a team-player asking for guidance and direction where necessary
- Develop knowledge and skills within the engineering discipline
- Effectively communicate engineering issues related to own tasks
- And much more….
Through our degree apprenticeship you’ll be making the most of your talents, getting to understand engineering from the ground up; and doing so with the help of one of the biggest and best names in the industry. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are motivated, committed and keen to learn. A self-starter who can manage their time, show initiative and have a genuine interest in engineering and Thales. Successful candidates will show self-discipline and an aspiration to achieve a degree qualification.
Where you'll work
Manor Royal
Crawley
RH10 9HA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM, THE
Training course
Electro-mechanical engineer (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Communicate technical information with others at all levels, including technical reports and the use of digital tools.
- Follow a methodical approach to engineering problem solving.
- Establish and report engineering design briefs.
- Produce mechanical and electrical designs / drawings / sketches using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and manual systems.
- Model real-world mechanical systems efficiently.
- Select the design solution for a given electro-mechanical engineering application and environment using data to inform their decisions.
- Integrate electrical and mechanical engineering systems, considering new and emerging technologies.
- Use appropriate equipment to develop and execute test plans to support electro-mechanical product validation and approval.
- Design functional electronic systems and circuits from component level.
- Write and document structured programming code for electro-mechanical systems.
- Fabricate engineering components and assemblies using specialist manufacturing methods and hand fitting techniques.
- Assemble, wire, program and test electrical equipment, motors and control systems.
- Plan, manage and lead engineering projects.
- Perform risk management for engineering activities.
- Comply with statutory and organisational safety requirements.
- Communicate technical information with others at all levels, including technical reports and the use of digital tools.
- Follow a methodical approach to engineering problem solving.
- Establish and report engineering design briefs.
- Produce mechanical and electrical designs / drawings / sketches using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and manual systems.
- Model real-world mechanical systems efficiently.
- Select the design solution for a given electro-mechanical engineering application and environment using data to inform their decisions.
- Integrate electrical and mechanical engineering systems, considering new and emerging technologies.
- Use appropriate equipment to develop and execute test plans to support electro-mechanical product validation and approval.
- Design functional electronic systems and circuits from component level.
- Write and document structured programming code for electro-mechanical systems.
- Fabricate engineering components and assemblies using specialist manufacturing methods and hand fitting techniques.
- Assemble, wire, program and test electrical equipment, motors and control systems.
- Plan, manage and lead engineering projects.
- Perform risk management for engineering activities.
- Comply with statutory and organisational safety requirements.
Training schedule
You'll work towards a Level 6 Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship with the University of Nottingham while gaining valuable hands-on experience in the workplace.
The programme lasts 5.5 years and combines:
- On-campus learning
- Online study
- Practical, work-based learning
You'll typically attend the university for around four weeks each year, delivered in one-week blocks. Throughout the programme, you'll develop both your technical knowledge and practical engineering skills.
On successful completion of the apprenticeship and End Point Assessment, you'll achieve:
- A fully funded BEng (Hons) in Electro-Mechanical Engineering
- A Level 6 Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship qualification.
The programme is accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers for those wishing to progress towards Chartered Engineer status later in their career.
More training information
The programme is accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers for those wishing to progress towards Chartered Engineer status later in their career
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
A Level in:
T Level in:
BTEC 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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
Other 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.
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. Together we supply invention across 4 core areas: Aerospace, Space, Defence and Security, Digital Identity and Security.
https://careers.thalesgroup.com/global/en/uk-apprenticeship-roles (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year (plus a company day and bank holidays)
- 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)
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
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- Will qualify with a BEng in Electro-mechanical Engineering and be a permanent Hardware Engineer within the Thales business
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THALES UK LIMITED
Future Talent Team
futuretalent@uk.thalesgroup.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000057303.
Apply now
Closes on Wednesday 17 February 2027
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.