Engineering
2027 Industrial Process Engineer Apprentice - Level 5 Mechatronics Higher Level Apprenticeship (NI)
Thales Group · South Eastern Regional College, Bangor / Ulster University
Location
Belfast, County Antrim
Postcode
BT6 9HB
Salary
£24,000 per annum
Duration
3 years
Hours per week
37h
Positions available
1
Level
Level 5 – Higher
Qualification
Foundation Engineering Degree (FdEng) in Mechatronics
Start date
1 September 2027
Application deadline
17 February 2027
Vacancy reference
R0337804
Minimum grades
A Levels grade CC (including 1 from Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Design & Technology, Engineering, Electronics or Double Award Science), 5 GCSEs grade A-C (4-9) including English and Maths, 56 UCAS tariff points
About the role
Join Thales as an Industrial Process Engineer Apprentice and develop your engineering skills to become a confident, positive and flexible engineer. You will be part of a team that provides manufacturing solutions in support of customers' requirements. The role combines academic study with exciting on-the-job experience, working on manufacturing documentation, tools, workflows, manufacturing readiness reviews, and technological innovation to reduce costs while guaranteeing process feasibility and reproducibility.
Requirements
Not stated in description
Working week
Monday – Friday, 37 hours a week (8 hours Monday – Thursday, 5 hours Friday). 1 day per week at college, 4 days per week working in engineering departments.
Skills
Manufacturing process design and optimisationManufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) assessmentTechnical documentationHealth, Safety and Environment processesProject managementProblem-solvingCommunicationTime managementSelf-discipline
Required qualifications
Essential
A Level · Mathematics or Further Mathematics or Physics or Chemistry or Design & Technology or Engineering or Electronics or Double Award Science/Applied Science · Grade CC
Essential
GCSE · English · Grade A-C (4-9)
Essential
GCSE · Maths · Grade A-C (4-9)
Desired
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma · Engineering · Grade MPP
Desired
BTEC Diploma · Engineering · Grade MM
Training & development
3-year Level 5 Higher Level Apprenticeship programme leading to Foundation Engineering Degree (FdEng) in Mechatronics. Students attend 1 day per week of college lessons, lectures and tutorials at South Eastern Regional College in Bangor, with 4 days per week working in engineering departments. Initial rotation plan followed by specialisation in a particular engineering function. On successful completion, scope to progress to BEng in Mechatronic Engineering at Ulster University.
Additional training
Job-specific training and development provided. Hands-on experience in real engineering environment with mentoring and support.
Future prospects
Achieve Level 5 Foundation Engineering Degree (FdEng) in Mechatronics. Scope to progress to BEng in Mechatronic Engineering at Ulster University. Secure a permanent role from the start of the apprenticeship.
Company benefits
Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum with performance-related pay uplifts. Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year plus 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). Private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus (depending on role).
Things to consider
Due to the nature of work at Thales, this role is subject to security restrictions. Applicants must have permanent right to work in the UK and successfully complete UK Government security checks including Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) screening and Security Clearance (SC). Typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. Applicants who already hold a relevant degree will not be eligible. Opportunity is available in Belfast and open to all Northern Ireland residents. Assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February-May 2027. Induction week will take place from Monday 6 September - Friday 10 September 2027. Applications may close earlier than advertised deadline if high number of applications received.
About Thales Group
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security. Thales helps build a future we can all trust and supports the security and stability of the nation by providing extraordinary technology to customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with products and services.
Website
www.thalesgroup.com