2025 Academy Engineer Apprentice - Level 6 Higher Level Apprenticeship - Mechatronic Engineering

2025 Academy Engineer Apprentice - Level 6 Higher Level Apprenticeship - Mechatronic Engineering

Start Date: 01 September 2025

Salary: £22,500 per annum

Employee type: Permanent

Location: Belfast

Working Schedule: Monday – Thursday 0800-1645, Friday 0800-1200 (flexible working available)

Are you passionate about engineering? Do you have an inquisitive mind? Do you want to be part of an Apprentice Programme that will develop and challenge you? If so, then look no further…

Our Mechatronics apprenticeship will let you explore different types of engineering before you make an informed decision to specialise in Hardware (Mechanical or Electrical), Software or Systems Engineering. 

What the role has to offer:

• Earn while you learn
• Job specific training experience
• Recognised qualifications
• Permanent role from day one

Responsibilities:

Mechatronic Engineering unites the principles of mechanics, electronics and software. It combines mechanical engineering, problem solving and design skills with expertise in digital electronics and computing systems to produce advanced products and systems through automation and the use of robotics.

Our exciting Apprentice Engineer roles will develop your mechatronic engineering skills to become a confident, positive and flexible engineer with well-honed technical knowledge. You will support the team to deliver solutions to deadline and budget.  Example activities include:

• Creation of innovative design concepts for missile sub-systems and vehicle integration solutions using CREO
• Generation of detailed drawings for the manufacture of high precision-machined components
• Generation of assembly drawings of electro/optical/mechanical systems and sub-systems
• Interaction with stress, aerodynamics, manufacturing, procurement and supply base to ensure optimised, robust, cost effective designs
• Participate in and contribute to company continuous improvement projects
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplined agile environment
• Organisational skills with well-rounded communication and relationship building abilities

Apprentice Programme

You will be studying towards a Level 6 Higher Level Apprenticeship, finishing with a BEng Mechatronic Engineering degree, with our partners at the Ulster University in their Belfast campus. 

This is a 4 year fast track programme.  In the 1st year, you will attend university lectures and tutorials over 4 days per week, remotely complete Thales engineering project work and spend 1 day a week onsite developing your engineering knowledge.  From 2nd year onwards, you will be in university 1 day a week and 4 days working in engineering, embedding your university learning in a real-life engineering environment.  

Requirements:

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are motivated, committed and keen to learn.  You will be a self-starter, able to demonstrate time management skills, working on your own, using your initiative and have a genuine interest in Engineering and Thales.

Successful candidates will show self-discipline and an aspiration to achieve a degree qualification.

Entry requirements:

• 112 UCAS points (A Level BBC) including Grade B in a STEM Subject (Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, DT, Engineering, Electronics, Double Award Science/Applied Science). Or equivalent BTEC Extended Diploma (DMM) to include a merit in Engineering Principles and Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems. Combination of smaller BTEC Diploma plus A levels or other acceptable Level 3 qualifications as per the Ulster University BEng Mechatronic Engineering degree entry requirements.
• GCSE Mathematics ideally at Grade A, albeit Grade C + considered depending on specific level 3 qualifications as per the Ulster University BEng Mechatronic Engineering degree entry requirements.  GCSE English Language Grade C or above or Pass in Level 2 Essential Skills Literacy

Please Note: due to funding obligations (i) applicants who already hold a relevant degree will not be eligible for this programme (ii) this opportunity is available in Belfast and open to all Northern Ireland residents.  In addition, Right to Work in the UK for the duration of the programme is necessary.

Benefits

• 201 hours annual leave (plus a company day and bank holidays)
• Company Pension
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Life Insurance     
• Discount Portal
• Performance-related pay uplifts
• 80 Hours Volunteering (first two years)

Please note, assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February and May 2025. Induction week for all Graduate and Apprentices will take place from Monday 01 September until Friday 05 September 2025.

Closing date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Sunday 16 February 2025, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note, we will be in contact by the end of February 2025 with details of next steps.