Missile Architect - IAS

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

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.

Missile Architect (IAS)
Location: based in Belfast, 4.5 days/ week in office (onsite), with <10% travel
Other: permanent, full-time
Relocation Support Available: for eligible candidates relocating to Belfast, comprehensive relocation support is available to help make your transition as smooth as possible

For experienced systems and architecture engineers seeking greater strategic impact and long-term career progression, this is a rare opportunity to help define the future direction of missile technology.

What the role has to offer

• Shape the Future of Missile Capability- play a key role in developing next-generation missile and effector architectures, helping to assess and integrate the technologies that will deliver future defence capability
• Broad Technical Exposure - gain experience across the full missile lifecycle, from concept development and technology assessment through to development, production, and in-service support. You'll work across multiple technologies and programmes, building broad architectural expertise
• Develop Your Technical Leadership - work alongside experienced architects and technical leaders, with opportunities to influence technical direction, support strategic initiatives, and progress towards Product Design Authority (PDA) responsibilities
• Your Next Step Towards Technical Leadership - opportunity to influence future missile capability, shape technology roadmaps, work directly with senior stakeholders and develop towards Product Design Authority (PDA) responsibilities

Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Head of Capability Development Missiles, you'll join a team responsible for assessing emerging technologies, developing missile concept architectures, and supporting the future direction of Thales' effector portfolio. Working within Capability Development, you'll help evaluate subsystem technologies, contribute to architectural studies, and support the development of innovative solutions that meet evolving customer and operational needs. As a Missile Architect, you'll have the opportunity to develop towards Product Design Authority (PDA) responsibilities, building your technical leadership capability while contributing to the development of future missile concepts and technologies.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer with missile, defence, aerospace, or complex systems experience to broaden their architectural capability. You'll work alongside experienced Missile Architects, systems engineers, customers, suppliers, and multidisciplinary teams to conduct technical studies, develop concept solutions, and contribute to technology roadmaps that help shape future missile capability.

Building a Future, we can all trust.

Integrated Airspace Protection Systems (IAS) - our main purpose is to protect and defend. We provide rapid integrated solutions for detection, coordination, fire control, engagement and support. We cover three sectors: Surface Attack & Air Defence (UK), Air Defence (International) and Air Operations & Services as well as Space.

What we offer you

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package designed to support our employees’ wellbeing and professional growth, which includes:

• Performance-related bonus
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
• 24 hours volunteering paid for
• Private healthcare
• Pension scheme
• Life cover
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts

Main Responsibilities

• Support the development of missile and effector concept architectures aligned to future capability requirements
• Conduct architectural trade studies and technical assessments considering performance, cost, schedule, and risk
• Develop, maintain, and apply modelling and analysis tools to support technical decision-making
• Develop specifications for future effector solutions and supporting technologies
• Build and maintain effective relationships with customers, suppliers, partners, and internal stakeholders
• Support technology roadmap development, investment planning activities, and capability growth across the missile engineering community

About You

At Thales, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world’s most critical challenges.

Ideal Experience & Skills

Essential

• Degree-qualified in Engineering or a numerate discipline, with the ability to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance (SC)
• Proven experience in missile, effector or complex defence systems engineering, with expertise across multiple technology domains and a strong understanding of system architecture, CONOPS and CONUSE
• Demonstrated ability to deliver across the full product lifecycle, from concept and design through development, production, in-service support and capability evolution
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of applying engineering judgement, technical analysis and structured decision-making to complex challenges

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and leadership skills, with the ability to influence customers, suppliers, and multidisciplinary teams, provide technical leadership and mentoring, and continue developing as a senior technical leader

Desirable

• Proven expertise in effector systems development and architecture, including the delivery of IAS UK effector products, concept development, system architecture, relevant design standards, subsystem architectures, and a strong understanding of the relationship between requirements, performance and key technology drivers
• Demonstrated leadership and strategic capability, with experience of team leadership, product line strategy development, and application of CONOPS and CONUSE to inform effective decision-making throughout the product lifecycle

Join a team shaping the future of missile capability, influence strategic technology decisions, develop towards PDA responsibilities and help deliver the next generation of defence solutions.

Security Clearance Requirement:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). 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.

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.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.

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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. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!