Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

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.

Weapons Systems Architect
Belfast

Primary Purpose of the Role

Within THALES IAS we are investing heavily in refreshing our Weapon System product portfolio to meet the needs of Short Range Defence applications.

As a result there is a need for highly skilled and experienced engineers to provide technical leadership during definition and development of our Weapon Systems.

The role spans the product life-cycle from requirements analysis, through definition of the technical solution, and includes support to system development and qualification.

Key Interactions

The job-holder will work closely with the following people:

Product Management Team including Product Line Managers and Product Line Architects to develop Product Concepts & Development Roadmaps

Research & Technology (R&T) Team to develop plans for de-risking Technology through Self-Funded and Customer Funded Research & Development

Product/Engineering Teams to provide technical direction and governance during development and qualification of Weapon System products.

Key Responsibilities:

Define Weapon System architectures, including Concept of Operation, functional partitioning, and interfaces between sub-systems.

Customise Weapon System architectures to meet specific customer's key requirements and budget constraints.

Maintain an awareness of latest developments in Weapon System Technology and identify how it can be exploited in Weapon System products

Act as a key technical interface and point of contact with customers, partners, and suppliers, for Weapon System development opportunities.

Provide technical governance of engineering activities during the development phase to ensure compliance with the system requirements and with product policy.

Essential Skills, Experience, & Qualification

System Architecting experience for complex systems.

A proven track record in defining technical solutions and delivering technical proposals for complex systems within typical bid constraints (limited time, budget, and resource).

Ability to analyse system requirements, and identify requirement/technical solution trade-offs to achieve a winning compromise between cost, schedule, and compliance.

Understanding of Speciality Engineering (EMC, ILS, Human Factors, Safety, and Security) and the impact on the overall technical solution.

An effective team player who can interface at all levels in the organisation, and operate effectively with teams distributed across different sites/countries.

Good verbal communication skills, report writing skills, and presentation skills.

Strong organisational and team working skills.

Degree or equivalent in Science or Engineering

Desirable Skills & Experience

Short Range Defence domain knowledge including Operational Concepts

Technical understanding of sub-systems and technologies used in Weapon Systems, including awareness of emerging trends.

Experience in a Design Authority role for a product or project.

Experience in application of System Architecting tools to help capture and communicate System Design and Concept of Operation.

Good understanding of the Weapon System products and technologies offered by Thales main competitors.

Special Requirements

Ability to travel in the UK or internationally at short notice in support of bids and demonstrations.

Applicants must be eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC Level)

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In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

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.

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