2026 Systems Engineering Placement Student

Thales; Belfast; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in Belfast is seeking an Engineering placement student to join their Systems Engineering Team. The role involves designing Defence Systems and working through the product lifecycle. Ideal candidates will be in their penultimate year of study in a relevant engineering degree, demonstrating analytical skills and teamwork. This position offers an industry-leading salary and excellent employee benefits, fostering professional growth in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Industry leading salary

Excellent employee benefits

Flexible working options

Ongoing support through final year

Qualifications

• Studying in the penultimate year of relevant field.
• Basic engineering understanding.
• Experience with simulation or design tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Designing Defence Systems within a multi-discipline team.
• Working through the product lifecycle from analysis to verification.
• Using trades, studies, and modelling for design optimization.

Skills

Basic engineering skills

Experience with simulation or design tools

Analytical and problem solving skills

Effective communication

Self-motivation

Team working skills

Education

BEng/BSc in relevant Engineering, Scientific, or Numerate degree

Job description

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.

Are you looking for a 12-month Engineering student placement within a local, innovative and industry-leading organisation? Look no further!

Why Join Us

• Placement opportunity available within our world class Systems Engineering Team based in Belfast
• Gain exciting and relevant experience with an industry leader undergoing significant growth
• Learn and support from some of the best Engineers in the sector
• An industry leading salary and excellent employee benefits
• Opportunity for continued part time employment and support throughout your final year

Who We Are

Thales Integrated Airspace-protection Systems (IAS) UK designs and manufactures a range of cutting-edge technologies ranging from air surveillance and mission planning systems to missile and space propulsion systems. The company specialises in lightweight missiles and the integration of weapon systems into various platforms along with the systems to manage and exploit critical mission planning and air surveillance data.

The Role

As an engineering placement student, you will be designing state-of-the-art Defence Systems that deliver world-class performance. Working within an agile, multi-discipline team, responsibilities cover the whole product lifecycle from requirements capture and analysis through to defining the system architecture and behaviour and onto building, testing and verifying that the solution meets the customer’s requirements. The role requires working with the team to optimise the design through trades, studies, analyses, modelling and simulation to produce a best-in-class competitive product.

Essential Skills & Qualifications

• Studying in the penultimate year of a relevant Engineering, Scientific or Numerate degree subject (BEng / BSc minimum)
• Can demonstrate an understanding of basic engineering skills
• Some experience with simulation or design tools
• Demonstrable analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Self-motivated and able to use initiative
• Team working skills

Values & Behaviours

• Goal orientated and delivery focussed
• Displays innovation and self-motivation
• Demonstrates dedication and determination against assigned tasks

The successful candidate must be a University student in their penultimate year of study able to work for Thales in the period between their penultimate and final year of study; starting by September 2025.

If this sounds like you and you want to join us in building a future we can all trust, apply below and upload your CV.

Connect with Fiona Tal, Talent Acquisition Partner #LI-FT1 who is eager to explore together with you this exciting opportunity.

SC Clearance

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.

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.

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!