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.
Senior Missile Architect (IAS)
Known internally as Missile Architect
Location: based in Belfast – Northern Ireland, 4.5 days/ week in office (onsite), with
Other: permanent, full-time
Relocation Support Available: for eligible candidates relocating from elsewhere in the UK, a comprehensive relocation package is available
Join one of Thales' most strategically important engineering sites while enjoying work life balance and access to exceptional natural surroundings.
What the role has to offer
High Visibility and Future Leadership Opportunities - this role sits at the centre of future missile capability planning and provides exposure to senior engineering, programme and business leadership. Success in this position can lead to progression across Thales
Shape the Future of Missile Capability - take a leading role in defining next-generation missile architectures, influencing technology choices, product strategies, and future capability roadmaps that will underpin tomorrow's defence solutions
End-to-End Product Lifecycle Exposure - shape missile capability across the full product lifecycle, from concept and innovation through to delivery and support. With exposure to diverse technologies, programmes, and stakeholders, you'll develop broad architectural expertise while making a tangible impact at every stage
Strategic Technical Leadership - operate at the intersection of engineering, innovation, and business strategy, providing technical leadership across concept development, bids, investment planning, and technology maturation activities
Our Opportunity
As a Senior Missile Architect, you will be at the forefront of shaping the next generation of missile and effector capability. Leading the assessment, selection, and integration of advanced technologies, you'll define future architectures that deliver operational advantage and underpin long-term product strategy.
You'll provide technical leadership across multiple technology domains, driving architectural decisions from early concept through to strategic capability planning. Drawing on broad experience across missile technologies, potentially including missile effectiveness and operational analysis, you'll influence both current and future solutions.
This is a high-impact role with significant visibility across the business. You'll lead concept studies, support major bids, shape technology investment priorities, and influence future capability roadmaps. Working closely with customers, partners, suppliers, and multidisciplinary engineering teams, you'll play a key role in defining the technologies and architectures that will deliver tomorrow's defence capabilities.
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…