2027 AI Researcher Apprentice - Level 6 Machine Learning

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

2027 AI Researcher Apprentice - Level 6 Machine Learning

Turn your curiosity into a career. If you're passionate about artificial intelligence, eager to learn, and looking for a degree apprenticeship that combines academic study with exciting on-the-job experience, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As an AI Researcher Apprentice, you will develop the technical knowledge, analytical skills and professional behaviours needed to investigate challenging problems and advance the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

Working alongside AI researchers, engineers and domain specialists, you will support research and experimentation on live projects, translating questions into evidence-based findings, prototypes and recommendations.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Reviewing technical literature and summarising relevant methods and evidence
• Designing controlled experiments and defining clear evaluation criteria
• Preparing data and developing proof-of-concept machine learning models
• Analysing results, limitations, uncertainty and potential sources of bias
• Documenting methods and communicating findings through reports, demonstrations and reviews
• Working with experienced researchers and engineers on live research challenges

What You Will Learn

Throughout the apprenticeship, you will gain experience and knowledge in:

• Professional research behaviours, teamwork and industry best practice
• Research methods, literature review and development of testable hypotheses
• Statistics, experimental design and reproducible analysis
• Machine learning principles, algorithms and model evaluation
• Programming, data handling and rapid prototyping techniques
• Critical assessment of evidence, uncertainty, robustness and limitations
• Responsible AI, security, privacy, safety and ethical considerations
• Clear technical writing, presentation and communication of research outcomes

Degree Apprenticeship Programme

You will study towards a Level 6 Machine Learning qualification with Corndel, developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to build and apply artificial intelligence responsibly in an engineering environment.

The programme is delivered through a virtual learning model, combining:

• Live virtual lectures
• Online learning resources
• Self-directed study

This programme covers the full AI lifecycle, from concept and design, through to deployment and governance to provide a strong foundation for your role at Thales.

Entry Requirements

To apply, you will need:

• A Levels
  • Three A Levels
  • Grade B or above in Maths
  • At least one other relevant subject (Physics, Computer Science, Software, ICT)
  • Or Level 4/5 apprenticeship in a relevant discipline
• GCSEs
  • Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above
  • Must include: English Language and Mathematics

Please note Computer Science graduates are not eligible due to funding restrictions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum
• Performance-related pay uplifts
• Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year (plus a company day and bank holidays)
• Contributory Company Pension
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Hybrid/flexible working options
• Employee assistance programme
• Learning and development support
• Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives
• Life Cover
• 80 Hours Volunteering per year (first two years)

Thales Apprentice Recruitment Process

1. Apply Online - submit your application online
2. Upload Your CV
3. Check your emails for the invitation to apply – this will come from recruiting@jobalerts.thalesgroup.com
4. Complete Your Application – follow the link provided in the email to complete your application. You can apply for one primary role and up to 3 additional roles.
5. Complete Online Tests - undertake the online assessments designed to evaluate your suitability for the role.
6. Virtual Assessment Centre - candidates who progress from the online assessment stage will attend a virtual assessment centre, which will include group exercises, and competency-based interviews.
7. Job Offer – successful candidates who perform well throughout the recruitment process will receive a job offer from Thales.

Please note, assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February - May 2027.  Induction week for all Graduate and Apprentices will take place from Monday 6 September - Friday 10 September 2027.

Please note that roles may close earlier than the advertised deadline if we receive a high number of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this opportunity.

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.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity, and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role.

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