Electronics Engineering Apprentice - Graduate Level Design and Manufacture

2026 Electronics Engineering Apprentice - Graduate Level Design and Manufacture

Join to apply for the 2026 Electronics Engineering Apprentice - Graduate Level Design and Manufacture role at Thales

Location:

Glasgow, United Kingdom

Start Date: 07 September 2026
Salary: £24,000 per annum
Employee type: Permanent
Working

Schedule:

37 hours per week;
University days are normally a Friday, where you would either attend University in person or virtually. Monday–Thursday are the Thales working days where you will be on site at Thales in Glasgow or working from home, where suitable.

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.

We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and we offer flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part‑time hours, job sharing, home working, or flexibility in start and finish times.

What the role has to offer:

• Earn while you learn
• Job specific training experience
• Recognised qualifications
• A support network of students currently on the programme
• Various benefits and opportunities to grow your essential skills
• Permanent role from day one
• Tuition fees for university or approved training providers are fully covered

As an Electronics Engineer in our Glasgow office, you will work as part of a development team and be responsible for technical contributions towards leading‑edge naval or vehicle‑based products. This is a great opportunity to work on state‑of‑the‑art defence equipment and develop the latest optical systems for the MoD and a wide range of export customers around the world.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build prototypes and test systems
• Design and manufacture cables
• Modify or repair products within engineering
• Electronic engineering design and support

Apprentice Programme: You will be studying at University of Strathclyde towards a degree in Engineering:
Design and Manufacture (BEng Hons). For the duration of this 4 year programme you will combine university studies with practical application, working within our Engineering function in Glasgow. During Years 1 and 2 of the degree, learners will study 4 core modules addressing Mathematics and Numerical Tools;
Design and Production, Mechanical Engineering Systems and Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Years 3 and 4 are designed to develop higher level cognitive skills and enable the continued integration of knowledge, professional competencies and transferable skills via two 60 credit project modules with further opportunities for specialisation via optional modules. 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. Upon completion of the programme you will move into a permanent role within Thales in Glasgow.

Requirements:

• 4 Highers (BBBB) including Maths

Note:

If you do not achieve the Maths Higher in 2026, you will be required by the university to sit a 9‑week Maths course starting in April 2026. The Thales UK offer will be conditional on Strathclyde accepting you onto the programme. Live and work in Scotland for the duration of the programme.

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)

Closing date: Applications will close  pm on Thursday 12 February 2026. Please note we will be in contact by the end of February 2026 with details of next steps. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this opportunity.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales. All successful candidates must possess the permanent right to work in the UK and will be required to go through Government security clearance at BPSS Level and to obtain full Security Clearance (SC) in line with the United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) requirements prior to starting with us.

Security Clearance (SC) is required; if you already hold SC this will be advantageous.