Missile Architect - IAS

Thales Group; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Half day Friday

28 days annual leave

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Life cover

Employee Assistance Program

Discount schemes

Gym membership discounts

Job summary

Thales Group in Belfast is seeking a Missile Architect (IAS) to shape future missile concepts and architectures. The role offers responsibility across a broad lifecycle, from concept to in‑service support, with opportunities to progress toward Product Design Authority (PDA) responsibilities.

You will collaborate with engineers, customers, and suppliers to drive architectural studies and technology roadmaps, contributing to high‑impact defence capabilities while meeting security clearance

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Engineering or a numerate discipline.
• Proven experience in missile, effector or complex defence systems engineering across multiple technology domains.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver across the full product lifecycle, from concept through production and support.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with structured decision-making.

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 and investment planning across the missile engineering community.

Skills

Missile and defence systems

System architecture

Lifecycle management

Stakeholder engagement

Technical leadership

Education

Engineering or numerate discipline

Job description

## Missile Architect - IASApply: On-Site: Belfast: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: October 12, 2026 (17 days left to apply): R0339594Location: Belfast, United KingdomThales 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 <10% travel **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 engineering**, with expertise across multiple technology domains and a strong understanding of system architecture, CONOPS and CONUSE* **Demonstrated ability to deliver across the full product lifecycle**, from concept and design through development, production, in-service support and capability evolution* **Strong analytical and problem-solving skills**, with a track record of applying engineering judgement, technical analysis and structured decision-making to complex challenges* **Excellent stakeholder engagement and leadership skills,** with the ability to influence customers, suppliers, and multidisciplinary teams, provide technical leadership and mentoring, and continue developing as a senior technical leader **Desirable** * **Proven expertise in effector systems development and architecture**, including the delivery of IAS UK effector products, concept development, system architecture, relevant design standards, subsystem architectures, and a strong understanding of the relationship between requirements, performance and key technology drivers* **Demonstrated leadership and strategic capability**, with experience of team leadership, product line strategy development, and application of CONOPS and CONUSE to inform effective decision-making throughout the product lifecycle Make your mark on the future of defence. Apply today and help drive the missile technologies, architectures and innovations that deliver mission-critical capability.**Security Clearance Requirement:**Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.