2027 Software Engineering Apprentice - Crawley

What you'll do

As a Software Engineering Apprentice, you will develop the technical knowledge, practical skills and professional behaviours needed to become a confident and capable engineer. Working as part of our Software Engineering team, you will support the delivery of software solutions, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. Your responsibilities may include:

• Programming skills in industry standard languages such as C++ and Java
• Experience of working in multi-disciplined agile environment alongside experienced engineers
• Familiarity with business management tools for managing requirements and formal documentation
• New tools and infrastructure used for the development engineering environment
• Development of secure, quality software solutions that adhere to timescale and budget
• Domain specific knowledge and application of mathematics skills to model and develop real-world solutions across industries, such as aerospace and underwater systems and software defined radio and electronic counter measure systems (dependant on which business area you are aligned to
• Opportunity to develop creative and bespoke software solutions
• Organisational skills with well-rounded communication and relationship building abilities
• Digital Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics

Training

Throughout the apprenticeship, you will gain experience and knowledge in:

• Professional engineering behaviours and industry best practice
• Understanding and working with complex engineering systems
• Different engineering roles and activities across live projects
• The Software Lifecycle and key engineering processes
• Requirements capture, requirements management and system design techniques.
• Software Engineering tools and practices
• Testing, integration, and verification activities
• Structured and methodical approaches to problem solving and investigation

You will study towards a Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship with Exeter University, following the Software Engineer pathway.

This 3.5-year programme will introduce apprentices to a broad range of digital disciplines over the first two years of the programme, including data, computer security, software development, networks, programming and AI. In Year three you will move into your specialist pathway of Software Engineering, focussing on the principles, methods, and models that underpin professional software engineering practice. You will also undertake a work based Synoptic Project, before completing your End Point Assessment. On completion of the apprenticeship, you will achieve a BSc in Digital and Technology Solutions, as well as the Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship.

The programme is delivered through a blended learning approach, combining:

• On campus teaching (around 22 days across the whole programme)
• Distance learning (1 day per week during term time)
• Online workshops/classes
• Guided self-study

Throughout the 3.5-year programme, you will combine university study with practical workplace experience, developing both academic knowledge and professional engineering skills.

After the apprenticeship

Secure a permanent role from day one at the start of your apprenticeship.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative

Qualifications

• Essential: GCSE, Maths and English (grade 5 at grade 9-4 (A-C))
• Essential: A Level, Any Subject (grade 3 at grade B or above)

Things to consider

Because of the work we do at Thales, all roles are subject to security 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.

Benefits

• Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year (plus a 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)

About the 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.

Apprenticeship details

• Course: Digital and technology solutions professional (level 6), Digital
• Apprenticeship level: Degree (level 6)
• Training provider: UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
• Expected duration: 3 Years 6 Months
• Hours: 37 hours a week. Working week: Monday - Friday, 37 hours a week (8 hours from Monday - Thursday, 5 hours on Friday).
• Start date: 6 September 2027
• Positions available: 7
• Wage: £24,000 a year