2025 Sonar Algorithms Apprentice – Level 6 Digital & Technology Solutions (Data)

Location: Templecombe, United Kingdom

Thales 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.

2025 Sonar Algorithms Apprentice – Level 6 Digital & Technology Solutions (Data)

Start Date: 01 September 2025

Salary: £22,500 per annum

Employee type: Permanent

Location: Templecombe

Working Schedule: 37 hours per week on site (8 hours Monday - Thursday, 5 hours on a Friday)

Are you passionate about data and algorithms? Do you have an inquisitive mind? Do you want to be part of an Apprenticeship Programme that will develop and challenge you? 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

Join us as a Sonar Algorithms 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 a Sonar Algorithms 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

As a Sonar Algorithms Apprentice, you will enrol onto the Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship at Warwick University, following the Data Engineer specialism pathway. This is a 4 year degree level programme, whereby you will attend campus for 6 weeks per academic year. The rest of the time you will be working in the Thales UK business, applying what you have learnt in a real world context. By the end of the apprenticeship you will have achieved a BSc in Digital and Technology Solutions, plus the Level 6 apprenticeship qualification.

Requirements:

5 GCSEs grade 4 or above including English and Maths.

112 UCAS points to include grade B Maths and a further STEM subject.

Right to Work in the UK for the duration of the 4 year 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)

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.

Recruitment Process:

For further information on our Early Careers recruitment process or to speak to a member of the Early Careers Team or a Graduate or Apprentice, please visit Thales Future Talent - Connectr.

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a sole British National from birth and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks. As part of the vetting process you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, eligibility to work in the UK, time spent abroad over the last 5 years, as well as employment and/or educational history.

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.

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!