Missile Architect - IAS

thales; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Half-day Friday

Annual leave 28d

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Life cover

EAP

Discounts

Gym discounts

Volunteer time off

Job summary

Thales is a global technology leader with a defence focus, hiring a Missile Architect (IAS) for Belfast. The role is based onsite in Belfast, permanent and full-time, with relocation support available for eligible candidates.

You will shape future missile concepts, gain broad technical exposure across the missile lifecycle, and develop towards Product Design Authority responsibilities within Capability Development Missiles.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Engineering or a numerate discipline.
• Proven experience in missile, effector or complex defence systems.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of missile and effector concept architectures aligned to future capability requirements.
• Conduct architectural trade studies and technical assessments considering performance, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Develop, maintain, and apply modelling and analysis tools to support technical decision-making.
• Develop specifications for future effector solutions and supporting technologies.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with customers, suppliers, partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Support technology roadmap development, investment planning activities, and capability growth across the missile engineering community.

Skills

Missile architecture

Security clearance

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Missile Architect (IAS)

Location: based in Belfast, 4.5 days/ week in office (onsite), with

Other: permanent, full-time, for eligible candidates, relocation support can be provided

If you're excited by the opportunity to shape the future of missile capability, influence strategic technology decisions and work at the forefront of defence innovation, read on to discover how you can make an impact.

What the role has to offer

• Shape Future Missile Concepts - play a key role in developing next-generation missile and effector architectures, helping to assess and integrate the technologies that will deliver future defence capability
• Broad Technical Exposure - gain experience across the full missile lifecycle, from concept development and technology assessment through to development, production, and in-service support. You'll work across multiple technologies and programmes, building broad architectural expertise
• Develop Your Technical Leadership - work alongside experienced architects and technical leaders, with opportunities to influence technical direction, support strategic initiatives, and progress towards Product Design Authority (PDA) responsibilities

Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Head of Capability Development Missiles, you'll join a team responsible for assessing emerging technologies, developing missile concept architectures, and supporting the future direction of Thales' effector portfolio. Working within Capability Development, you'll help evaluate subsystem technologies, contribute to architectural studies, and support the development of innovative solutions that meet evolving customer and operational needs. As a Missile Architect, you'll have the opportunity to develop towards Product Design Authority (PDA) responsibilities, building your technical leadership capability while contributing to the development of future missile concepts and technologies.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer with missile, defence, aerospace, or complex systems experience to broaden their architectural capability. You'll work alongside experienced Missile Architects, systems engineers, customers, suppliers, and multidisciplinary teams to conduct technical studies, develop concept solutions, and contribute to technology roadmaps that help shape future missile capability.

Building a Future, we can all trust.

Integrated Airspace Protection Systems (IAS) - our main purpose is to protect and defend. We provide rapid integrated solutions for detection, coordination, fire control, engagement and support. We cover three sectors: Surface Attack & Air Defence (UK), Air Defence (International) and Air Operations & Services as well as Space.

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 bonus
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
• 24 hours volunteering paid for
• Private healthcare
• Pension scheme
• Life cover
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts

Main Responsibilities

• Support the development of missile and effector concept architectures aligned to future capability requirements
• Conduct architectural trade studies and technical assessments considering performance, cost, schedule, and risk
• Develop, maintain, and apply modelling and analysis tools to support technical decision-making
• Develop specifications for future effector solutions and supporting technologies
• Build and maintain effective relationships with customers , suppliers, partners, and internal stakeholders
• Support technology roadmap development, investment planning activities, and capability growth across the missile engineering community

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.

Ideal Experience & Skills

Essential

• Degree-qualified in Engineering or a numerate discipline , with the ability to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance (SC)
• Proven experience in missile, effector or complex defence systems en