Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across five major industries; Aerospace, Defence, Ground Transportation, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

2023 Systems Engineer Trainee – Mechatronic Engineering Work and Study Programme

Location : Belfast

Are you looking for an employer who will sponsor you through a degree, whilst providing valuable and exciting on-the-job experience within a global, innovative and industry leading organisation?

Thales IAS designs, develops and manufactures low cost, high volume missile systems. With sites in Belfast, Crossgar and Thorney Island the company specialises in lightweight missiles and the integration of weapon systems into tactical platforms such as land vehicles, helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

The role will develop your engineering skills to become a confident, positive and flexible engineer with well-honed technical knowledge gained from the academic commitments, supporting the team to deliver systems and equipment solutions to deadlines and within budget, including participating in systems requirements and design work, project reviews, system test and possibly site and platform visits for surveys, installations or trials.

As a Systems Engineering Trainee you will develop the key skills and experience in the following:

• Develop an understanding of the required behaviours and codes of practice of a professional engineer

• Understanding complex systems by working on different roles and tasks on on-going projects

• Familiarity with the Systems Engineering Lifecycle and activities

• Familiarity with System Engineering tools and methods for requirements capture, requirements management and system design

• An understanding of systems test activities including Integration, Validation, Verification & Qualification (IVVQ) and the associated processes and tools

• A methodical and structured approach to problem investigation

Work and Study Programme:

Through our programme 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.

As a Systems Engineer Trainee you will be studying towards a BEng in Mechatronics with the University of Ulster at Jordanstown. For the duration of this four year programme you will combine university studies with practical application, working within our Mechanical function in Belfast.

You will be given one day per week in which to focus on your studies. For the other four days you will be working in the business, applying your university learning in a real-life engineering environment. At the end of the programme you be working as a Systems Engineer with Thales Belfast.

This opportunity is available in Belfast .

Who we’re looking for:

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are motivated, committed and keen to learn. You will be a self-starter who is able to manage their time, show initiative and has a genuine interest in engineering and Thales. Successful candidates will show self-discipline and an aspiration to achieve a degree qualification.

Entry requirements:

The GCE A Level requirement for this course is grades BBB to include Grade B in one from Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Technology & Design, Design & Technology, Engineering, Electronics or Double Award Science/Applied Science. Alternatively a BTEC Level 3 QCF or RQF in Engineering with an overall award profile of DDD (to include a unit in Mathematics).

Right to Work in the UK for the duration of the four-year programme.

Please note, assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held on Thursday 23 February 2023. Induction week for all Graduate and Apprentices will commence on Monday 4th September until Friday 8th September 2023.

Closing date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Monday 16 January 2023, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note we will be in contact by the end of January 2023 with details of next steps.

All apprentices require full Security Clearance in line with United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) requirements - to gain clearance you will typically need to have been a UK resident for a minimum of 12 months. As part of this process you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history.

For further details of the evidence required to apply for Security Clearance please refer to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/security-vetting-and-clearance

Please note that applicants who already hold a relevant degree will not be eligible for this programme.

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!