Senior Systems Engineer

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.

Join us as a Senior Systems Engineer to lead the design and delivery of mission-critical systems, transforming stakeholder vision into engineered reality across defence platforms!

What the role has to offer

• Shape the future of defence technology by leading system design and integration across high-impact platforms from radar and aviation to complex weapon systems while collaborating with top-tier engineers in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment
• Expand your influence across multiple products and domains, driving innovation from concept to delivery, mentoring future talent, and engaging directly with customers and partners across naval, air, and land operations

Our Opportunity

As a Senior Systems Engineer, you'll play a pivotal role in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team of system, software, and hardware experts - collaborating to define, shape, and deliver cutting-edge products. Reporting to both the Product Design Authority (PDA) and Engineering Manager, you’ll be at the heart of the product lifecycle, from initial specification through to final delivery.

This role offers the unique opportunity to influence multiple products, applying your expertise across diverse domains while driving technical excellence and innovation every step of the way. We warmly encourage applications from established Systems Engineers seeking to advance their careers.

Building a Future, we can all trust.

Thales Land & Air Systems (LAS) supplies systems, equipment, sensors and services for civil and military air traffic control, air defence and land combat. Thales Integrated Airspace-protection Systems (IAS) UK designs, manufactures and services a range of cutting-edge technologies and capabilities ranging from air surveillance and mission planning solutions to missile and space propulsion systems. In the face of ever-evolving threats, mission success hinges on seamlessly integrating disparate data streams and platform communications to provide a unified view of the battlespace and allow coordinated actions with unprecedented precision.

Our Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Intelligence (C4I) business area delivers this capability through its products, acting as a key enabler to military planning, supporting multi-domain operations with agility, connectivity, and situational awareness. With integrated AI our products are enabling faster, smarter decision-making and enhanced mission effectiveness. It’s truly an exciting time to be part of Thales and an opportunity has arisen within our C4I products team for Senior Systems Engineer.

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 annual bonus (VCP)
• Pension – match like-for-like up to 7% of annual base salary
• Life Assurance – 2 x base salary minimum (8 x salary if part of the pension scheme)
• Income Protection – 50% of salary less state benefits for 5 years
• Annual Leave – 201 hours, bank holidays, plus 1 company day
• Private Medical Insurance - Couples cover
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 1:00pm
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• 24 hours paid leave for volunteering activities
• Access to flexible benefits and discounts – dental insurance, buying & selling annual leave, cycle to work, and many more

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

• Capture and translate customer and stakeholder ambitions into clear, actionable system requirements
• Lead the capture, analysis, and development of system and sub-system requirements to shape cutting-edge solutions
• Craft and evolve system definitions, driving behavioural and performance benchmarks that set new standards
• Design sub-systems, manage interfaces, and specify components—integrating critical disciplines like Security, Safety, and Integrated Logistic Support
• Drive design optimisation via system trades, analytical modelling, and hands-on prototyping
• Maintain and refine System Build data to ensure seamless integration and traceability
• Support rigorous Hardware, Software, Data, and Security reviews—both formal and ad-hoc—to guarantee robust releases
• Engage with customers, suppliers, and partners to communicate technical solutions and oversee deployment across naval, air, and land domains
• Contribute to bids and proposals with compelling technical insights and visionary system concepts
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to engineering teams - empowering the next generation of innovators

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.

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree (BEng, BSc) or equivalent in a numerate, scientific, or engineering discipline
• Proven systems engineering expertise across the full lifecycle from requirements capture to verification within defence and similarly complex industries
• Demonstrated proficiency in requirements management, system design, interface definition, and compliance assessment using defence standards and protocols
• Recognized leadership in managing teams and workstreams, mentoring junior engineers, and delivering under pressure
• Established problem-solving skills, with a track record of resolving complex design and integration challenges
• Experienced in risk management, issue escalation, and maintaining project integrity throughout development
• Proven ability to report and forecast progress accurately to internal and external stakeholders
• Strong technical writing and analytical skills, with excellent command of English
• Demonstrated communication and collaboration strengths across cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and customers
• Goal-oriented and delivery-focused, showing strong innovation, self-motivation, dedication, and determination to successfully complete tasks in high-pressure environments
• Willing to travel both within the UK and internationally as required

While not essential, we’re especially eager to hear from people who bring these skills and qualities:

• Extensive defence industry experience, with a focus on C4I systems, aviation platforms, radar technologies, and complex weapon systems
• Proven systems engineering expertise spanning the full engineering lifecycle, from concept development to delivery
• Demonstrated proficiency in software testing and verification, ensuring robust and compliant system performance

Ready to shape the future of defence technology? Apply now and bring your expertise to where innovation meets impact.

UKEO (UK Eyes Only)

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. 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. If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a non-ITAR country may be considered.

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 .

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.

#LI-VG1

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.

Great journeys start here, apply now!