Military Operational Analyst

Thales; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in Belfast is looking for a Military Operational Analyst to drive innovation and influence defence capabilities. You will collaborate with various teams, assess operational needs, and develop actionable concepts. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or related fields and demonstrate strong analytical and communication skills. This full-time role offers a hybrid working model, allowing flexibility and opportunities for career development.

Benefits

Performance related annual bonus

Pension match up to 7%

Private Medical Insurance

Flexible benefits and discounts

Qualifications

• Proven analytical experience in early-stage technology or system development ideally within defence or security.
• Skilled in concept development, modelling, simulation, and requirements analysis.
• Experience in collaborating with cross-disciplinary and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with concept development teams to define operational requirements.
• Conduct mission analysis and threat assessments.
• Present analytical findings and recommendations to guide design decisions.

Skills

Analytical experience

Concept development

Communication skills

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Programming languages (Python)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Mathematics, or Computer Science

Master's degree in a relevant field

Tools

MATLAB

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 thats why we offer you the flexibility to do whats important to you; whether thats 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.

Military Operational Analyst

Location: Belfast or Templecombe full-time hybrid working with 3 days in the office plus travel

Step into a role where your analysis drives innovation - join us in shaping the next generation of defence capabilities!

What the role has to offer

• Shape the future of defence by aligning products with evolving customer requirements emerging threats and next-generation concepts
• Collaborate directly with end users to understand operational needs and drive meaningful change
• Make a tangible impact - your work influences real-world outcomes and supports national security
• Apply and grow your technical expertise in a role that blends cutting-edge analysis with strategic thinking

Our Opportunity

Are you ready to help shape the future of defence innovation As an Operational Analyst in Early Concepts & Systems Development youll be at the forefront of technology - providing critical analysis at the earliest stages of concept and system design. This role is instrumental in identifying operational needs exploring cutting-edge solutions and assessing emerging technologies. Youll collaborate with a diverse team of scientists engineers military planners and key stakeholders to ensure new concepts are strategically aligned operationally viable and built to meet tomorrows defence challenges.

If based in Belfast youll travel quarterly to Templecombe. If located in Templecombe there will be monthly visits tailored to the needs of the business. Candidates who prefer to be based in Belfast may be given priority. We welcome applications from systems engineers or software engineers ready to embrace a new role.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

• Collaborate with concept development teams to define operational requirements and draft CONOPS (Concept of Operations) user needs and system performance parameters
• Conduct mission analysis threat assessments and scenario development to inform early-stage capability concepts
• Evaluate emerging technologies through modelling simulation and analysis to assess operational potential and limitations
• Gather and synthesize operational feedback via workshops wargames and expert interviews to refine concepts and ensure alignment with user needs
• Present analytical findings recommendations and risk assessments to guide investment and design decisions
• Monitor advancements in defence technology adversary capabilities and doctrine to support concept development
• Ensure all analytical processes adhere to defence standards policies and security protocols

About You

At Thales we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you dont 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 worlds most critical challenges.

Essential

• Bachelors degree in Systems Engineering Mathematics Computer Science or a related field
• Proven analytical experience in early-stage technology or system development ideally within defence or security
• Skilled in concept development modelling simulation requirements analysis and tools such as MATLAB
• Strong communicator capable of translating complex technical insights into clear actionable recommendations
• Experienced in collaborating with cross-disciplinary and cross-functional teams
• Masters degree in a relevant field
• Experience in concept development or early-phase defence acquisition ideally involving military end-users or innovation environments
• Familiarity with rapid prototyping user-centred design agile methodologies and wargaming or design thinking workshops
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or other high-level languages
• Strong understanding of emerging defence technologies future operational concepts and capability development processes

Security Clearance Statement

This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held however if not currently held it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo achieve and maintain 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 some circumstances a minimum of 3 years residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted with additional overseas checks.

For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the National Security Vetting (NSV) Agency - United Kingdom Security Vetting - ().

What we offer you

• 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 Skills

Anti Money Laundering, Assessment, Health Education, Environment Health And Safety, Accident Investigation, Entry Level Finance

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1