2027 AI Engineer Apprentice - Level 6 Machine Learning

Description

The company is a global technology leader with over 83,000 employees worldwide, including more than 7,500 in the UK. It works across defence, space, aerospace and digital security, and supplies technology that supports national security and stability.

This is a Level 6 AI Engineer degree apprenticeship starting on 6 September 2027, with a permanent contract. You will work alongside experienced engineers and researchers, building and applying artificial intelligence in a real engineering setting while you study.

You will learn professional engineering behaviours, programming and software engineering, version control and automated testing, data preparation and feature engineering, machine learning methods, deployment and MLOps, cloud and compute tools, and responsible AI covering security, privacy, safety and regulation.

Study is delivered through a virtual model: 28 days of live virtual lectures, online learning resources and self-directed study. A training provider runs the programme, which covers the full AI lifecycle from design and build through to deployment and governance. It includes the Microsoft certified Azure AI Engineer Associate qualification alongside the Level 6 Machine Learning Engineer Apprenticeship qualification.

Induction week for apprentices runs from 6 to 10 September 2027. Selection includes online tests and a virtual assessment centre with group exercises and competency-based interviews, held between February and May 2027. Applications close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 17 February 2027, and this is the only application window this year. Roles may close early if the company receives many applications.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, explore and validate data for machine learning use cases.
• Develop and evaluate machine learning models and AI-enabled software components.
• Write clean, tested and documented code using suitable engineering tools and practices.
• Support the integration, deployment, monitoring and improvement of models.
• Take part in technical reviews, experiments and structured problem solving.
• Work on live projects with experienced engineers and researchers, contributing across the machine learning lifecycle with software, data, systems and domain specialists to turn needs into secure, maintainable solutions.

Requirements

• Three A Levels at Grade B or above, including Maths, plus at least one relevant subject (Physics, Computer Science, Software or ICT), or a Level 4 or Level 5 apprenticeship in a similar subject.
• At least five GCSEs at Grades 9 to 4 (A to C), including English and Maths.
• Computer Science graduates are not eligible due to funding restrictions.
• All roles require security clearance. For SC clearance you will typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years.
• As part of vetting, you will provide evidence of your identity, your right to work in the UK, any time spent overseas in the last five years, and your employment and or education history. The UK government's national security vetting clearance levels page lists the full evidence required.

Conditions

Permanent employment, working Monday to Friday, 37 hours a week: 8 hours Monday to Thursday and 5 hours on Friday.

Salary of £24,000 per year, with performance-related pay uplifts.

Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year, plus a company day and bank holidays.

Hybrid and flexible working options are available.

The company gives equal opportunities in pay and working conditions to everyone and welcomes diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

• Earn a salary while you study for your qualification.
• Gain hands-on experience in a real AI and engineering environment.
• Receive job-specific training and development.
• Achieve a recognised Level 6 qualification.
• Secure a permanent role from the start of your apprenticeship.
• Have your tuition fees fully paid.
• Contributory company pension and health care cash plan.
• Life cover and an employee assistance programme.
• Learning and development support, employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives.
• 80 hours of volunteering per year in the first two years.
• Depending on the role, other benefits may include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, a cycle to work scheme, stocks and shares, and an annual bonus.