2026 Mechanical Engineering Apprentice - Glasgow

Apprenticeships; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading training provider in Glasgow is offering a Mechanical Engineering Apprentice role designed for enthusiastic individuals eager to blend university studies with practical engineering experience. The role provides tuition coverage, a variety of benefits, and aims to develop key skills within a global leader in defence solutions. Applicants must have 4 Highers including Maths and the right to work in the UK.

Benefits

Earn while you learn

Job specific training experience

Recognised qualifications

Support network of students

Permanent role from day one

Tuition fees covered

Qualifications

• Must possess the permanent right to work in the UK.
• Live and work in Scotland for the duration of the programme.
• Security Clearance (SC) required.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for technical contributions towards naval or vehicle‑based products.
• Work as part of a development team on state‑of‑the‑art defence equipment.
• Combine university studies with practical application in engineering.

Skills

MCAD design and development

Environmental testing

Design for manufacture

Building prototypes

Education

4 Highers (BBBB) including Maths

Job description

2026 Mechanical Engineering Apprentice - Glasgow

Join to apply for the 2026 Mechanical Engineering Apprentice - Glasgow role at Scottish Apprenticeships.

Job Overview

Do you have an inquisitive mind? Do you like to know how things work and are interested in engineering? Are you looking for an employer who will sponsor you through a degree, whilst providing valuable and exciting on‑the‑job experience within a global, innovative and industry‑leading organisation? If so, read on to see what Thales has to offer…

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

Thales Glasgow designs a range of state‑of‑the‑art optronics solutions for the most technically advanced defence and security platforms in the world. As a Mechanical 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

• MCAD design and development
• Environmental testing and product qualification
• Design for manufacture for mechanical designs
• Building prototypes for test and development

Apprentice Programme

As a Mechanical Engineering Apprentice you will be studying at the University of Strathclyde towards a degree in Engineering: Design & 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. You will be given 1 day per week in which to focus on your studies, and for the other 4 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
• Live and work in Scotland for the duration of the programme
• 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)
• Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, otherwise the successful applicant must undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment

This role requires Security Clearance (SC). To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. For further details of the evidence required to apply for security clearance please follow the UKSV website link.

Apply for this apprenticeship.

Disability

This employer is part of the Disability Confident scheme. If you identify yourself as disabled and meet the minimum criteria for this job, you should be offered an interview.

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Scottish Apprenticeships by 2x.