Naval Architect Co-op

Thales; Halifax; On-site; CAD 68,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence and aerospace company in Halifax seeks a Naval Architect Intern for the 2026 Spring and Summer semesters. The role involves providing technical support to the Royal Canadian Navy, including troubleshooting and validation tasks. Ideal candidates are students enrolled in a Bachelor of Engineering with a focus on Naval Architecture. Competitive compensation and benefits are offered.

Benefits

Health and dental insurance

Retirement Savings Plans

Paid vacation and sick leave

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• Student enrolled in a Canadian University focused on Naval Architecture.
• Prior experience with technical reports is preferred.
• Senior students in Naval Architectural Engineering are preferred, juniors considered.

Responsibilities

• Conduct technical investigations into ships equipment malfunction.
• Prepare and review technical and baseline documentation.
• Validate technical data packages and support physical audits.

Skills

Technical report preparation

Microsoft Office Suite

Requirements analysis

Education

Bachelor of Engineering Program in Naval Architecture

Job description

Location: Halifax - Wilkinson, Canada

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow’s possible.

This role is Halifax

Naval Architect Intern

Position Summary

Thales Canada is looking for a Naval Architect student for the 2026 Spring and Summer semesters to support its Non‑Combatant In‑Service Support Programs for the Royal Canadian Navy in Halifax, NS. Working closely with the Naval Architects, Engineers, Life Cycle & Materiel Managers (LCMMs), and other technical specialists in the Thales LCMM & Engineering Team, the Naval Architect Student provides technical support to various ships and assets of the Royal Canadian Navy. In this role, the individual will gain valuable working experience with troubleshooting technical issues with ship systems, working with ships technical data package, and other LCMM activities.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Technical investigation into problems associated with ships equipment and/or system malfunction, including failure analysis and solution development;
• Preparing and reviewing technical documentation and supporting baseline documentation updates;
• Technical data package validation activities including support to physical configuration audits of ship systems and equipment;
• Support the preparation and updating of design change documentation including manufacturing drawings, installation instructions and test and trials documentation;
• Prepare documented work scopes, suitable for the solicitation of quotations from external resources such as Original Equipment Manufacturers, suppliers, testing facilities or specialist service providers;
• Conduct detailed naval architecture tasks, including:
  • Requirements analysis;
  • Material compatibility investigation;
  • Research and review of equipment/system maintenance documentation;
  • Failure analysis;
  • Risk and hazard assessments;
  • Weight & moment assessments;
  • Support management of lifting appliance certification and testing; and
  • Assure compliance with hull related Classification Society, Naval Ship Code and Polar Code

Minimum Requirements

• Student enrolled in a Bachelor of Engineering Program in a Canadian University, with a focus in Naval Architecture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with the preparation of technical reports;
• Microsoft Office Suite;
• Senior Student in Naval Architectural Engineering preferred, though interested junior students will also be considered.

Physical Demands

• Predominantly office work;
• The individual may be required to work in dockyards and onboard Naval ships;
• May be required to undertake inspections in machinery spaces of Naval ships involving bending and twisting.

Special Position Requirements

• Schedule: Monday – Friday 40 hours per week;
• Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia based position. The student will work from the Thales Halifax Office in Burnside, and may occasionally have to visit the DND Facilities and HMC Dockyard in Halifax to attend the ships during maintenance work periods.

Why Join Us?

Say HI and learn more about working at Thales click here.

The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between 68,071.54 - 114,964.25 CAD annual.

Benefits

• Company paid Extended Health, Dental, HSA, Life, AD&D, Short‑term Disability, Cancer Care Program, travel insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and Well‑Being program;
• Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP, DCPP, TFSA) with a company contribution and a match to a DCPP, with no vesting period;
• Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave;
• Voluntary Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Long‑Term Disability;
• Employee Discounts on home, auto, and gym membership.

Thales is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Thales is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the interview process. Applicants selected for an interview who require accommodation are asked to advise accordingly upon the invitation for an interview. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of providing an accessible candidate experience.

This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List, the Canadian Controlled Goods Program, the Canadian Industrial Security Program, the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for such access including eligibility to the Canadian Controlled Goods Program and able to obtain a Canadian NATO Secret clearance.