Algorithm Engineering Apprentice - Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions

Position: 2026 Algorithm Engineering Apprentice - Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions
Location: Cheadle

Location:

cheadle, united kingdomthales people provide armed forces customers with operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defence mission systems solutions at land, sea, and air. Our platforms extend across the battlespace including above and sonar, electronic combat, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems.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 the major industries of aerospace, defence, 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.
** 2026 algorithm engineering apprentice -*
* ** level 6 digital and technology solutions degree apprenticeship
**** start date:
** 07 september 2026
** salary**: £24,000 per annum
** employee type:
** permanent
* * location:
** cheadle
* * working schedule:
** 37 hours per week on site (8 hours monday - thursday, 5 hours on a friday)
* if so, read on to see what thales has on offer…
*** what the role has to offer:
*** earn while you learn
* job specific training experience
* recognised qualifications
* permanent role from day one
* tuition fees for university or approved training providers are fully coveredjoin us as an algorithm engineering apprentice where you'll have the opportunity to enhance your skills in designing the signal processing and ai algorithms that power the world's leading sonar systems. You will collaborate with a diverse team of experts to create complex systems for our customers. This role promises an exciting journey into the world of sonar technology!as

an algorithm engineering apprentice, you will experience and develop crucial skills in the following areas:
* problem-solving methods and approaches
* effective communication skills in both writing reports and giving presentations
* knowledge and application of the key digital technologies such as data science or ai/ml
* signal processing (such as audio, image, video processing) and information processing (raw data or structured data)
* effective algorithm design and implementations, and importance of verification and validation
* an understanding of foundational concepts in mathematics and physics that apply to underwater acoustic systems
* conduct high level of systems analysis with supporting application of science and mathematics
* scientific and numerical programming and scripting languages (e.g. Matlab, python)
** apprentice programme
** you will be studying towards a bsc in digital and technology solutions, following the software engineering pathway. This is a gold accredited programme by tech partnership degrees. For the duration of this 4 year programme you will be given one day per week in which to attend manchester metropolitan university. For the other 4 days you will be working in the business, applying your university learning and gaining a breadth of experience within the software function.  

At the end of the apprenticeship you will be working as an algorithm engineer within the thales uk business.
** requirements:
*** 104 ucas tariff points at a level (bcc), including maths and a stem subject, or an equivalent e.g. Btec (dmm)
* 5 gcses grade 9-4 (a-c) including english and maths
** 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 - may 2026.  Induction week for all graduates and apprentices will take place from monday 7 september - friday 11 september 2026.
**** closing…