2027 Software Engineering Apprentice - Cheadle
Thales UK Limited · Ashurst Drive · posted 5 October 2026
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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:
- Supporting system requirement and design activities
- Developing software solutions to fulfil an actual business need
- Contributing to project reviews
- Assisting with engineering investigations and problem solving
- Communicating technical recommendations to stakeholders
- Working with experienced engineers on live projects
Your training
Apprenticeship Programme
You will study towards a Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship with Manchester Metropolitan University.
As a Software Engineering Apprentice, you’ll develop a broad set of skills and knowledge across the digital and technology landscape. You’ll learn how information systems work, how software is built and tested, and how data and cyber security fit into real business environments—alongside the fundamentals of business organisation, IT project management, and computer and network infrastructures.
Your learning is supported through taught units and work-based projects, where possible focused on live business scenarios and real-world problem solving, with experienced support throughout.
For the duration of this 4-year programme you will attend Manchester Metropolitan University one day per week to study. For the other four days you will be working at our Cheadle site, applying your learning to real work projects and gain a breadth of experience with your teammates. At the end of the apprenticeship, you will be working as a Software Engineer within the Thales UK businesses.
The programme is delivered through a blended learning approach, combining:
- On campus teaching, face to face one day a week during the academic year
- Online workshops/classes
- Guided self-study
Throughout the 4-year programme, you will combine university study with practical workplace experience, developing both academic knowledge and professional engineering skills.
Where it leads
Secure a permanent role from day one at the start of your apprenticeship.
About Thales UK Limited
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.
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.
In addition, this role supports a UK Eyes Only programme and is therefore subject to government-mandated nationality restrictions. To satisfy the security clearance requirements for access to highly sensitive information, applicants must have been British citizens from birth and must not hold any other nationality. This requirement is determined by the UK Government and is a condition of programme access rather than an employment preference.
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
Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity, and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.
Skills they're looking for
Entry requirements
- GCSE 5 subjects including Maths & English (grade 9 - 4 or A-C) — essential
- A Level any subjects (grade 104 UCAS points - B, C, C) — essential
Where you'll work
- Dolphin House, Ashurst Drive, Stockport, SK3 0XB