Industrial Architect

Thales people provide armed forces customers with operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defence mission systems solutions at land, sea, and air. Our platforms extend across the battlespace including Above and Sonar, Electronic Combat, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems.

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.

Clearance: SC clearance required (UK passport holder mandatory)

Working Hours: 4.5 working week (Friday from home)

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Industrial Architect to join our team.

This is a key leadership role requiring a candidate with a strong background in manufacturing and industrial operations.

The successful candidate will possess broad expertise across multiple disciplines such as Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Production Engineering, or Process Engineering (maintenance engineering experience is not applicable).

This role demands an individual who has led from the front in managing large-scale industrial teams, processes, and facilities, particularly with experience in setting up new production lines or facilities. Your contribution will be critical in driving industrial strategies and ensuring operational excellence within our manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage large-scale industrial operations, including teams, processes, and facilities to achieve business objectives.
• Plan and execute transfer of work initiatives, including setting up new production lines or manufacturing facilities, with thorough understanding of operational complexities.
• Support new product introduction by collaborating across design, development, and manufacturing teams to enable efficient product release to manufacture.
• Develop and implement industrial strategies aimed at optimizing production, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
• Lead costing and estimating efforts for projects, contributing to bids, contracts, and financial planning.
• Apply knowledge of design for manufacture principles and engage in design life-cycle considerations to enhance manufacturability and reduce costs.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence within the team and wider organization.
• Utilize Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) methodologies, preferably with aerospace or automotive industry experience, to ensure high product quality standards.

Essential Experience & Skills:

• Strong background in Manufacturing, Industrial, Production, or Process Engineering.
• Proven experience leading teams and managing large-scale industrial operations.
• Demonstrated leadership in transfer of work/project setups involving new facilities or production lines.
• Exposure to new product introduction processes, supporting product development through to manufacturing release.
• Familiarity with costing, estimating, bids, and contracts in an industrial context.
• Understanding of design impact on manufacturing and Design for Manufacture (DfM) principles.
• Experience with industrial strategies and continuous improvement practices.
• Ability to lead from the front and be a critical contributor within a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable:

• Experience with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), ideally in aerospace or automotive sectors.

Additional Information:

• This position requires on-site presence; occasional remote working may be possible but the role is fundamentally site-based.
• Security clearance (SC) is mandatory prior to starting; candidates must hold a valid UK passport (dual nationality may affect eligibility).

What we can offer:

• VCP Bonus
• Pension Scheme
• 28 days annual leave (Plus Bank Holidays)
• Life Cover
• Progression and Development Opportunities
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailer

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!