Senior Test Systems Architect – Aerospace & Defence

WeAreTechWomen; Templecombe; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Cycle to work

Annual bonus

Job summary

Thales in the UK is seeking an experienced Test Design Engineer/Architect focused on Test Solutions to define and deliver robust test architectures for aerospace and defence systems.

You will work with design, integration, and customers across UK sites (Crawley, Reading, Cheadle, Bristol, Glasgow and others), ensuring alignment with MOD standards and lifecycle requirements, with opportunities for technical leadership and innovation.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Test Systems Architect/Engineer.
• Strong background in test system design and architecture.
• Experience of integrating hardware, software, and COTS solutions into test.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to interface with customers.
• Demonstrable ability to work across the full system lifecycle from concept through to in-service support.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of test solutions for complex aerospace and defence systems, ensuring compliance with MOD and industry standards.
• Define test strategies, frameworks, and architectures to support product development, verification, qualification, and in-service support.
• Translate system and customer requirements into effective test system requirements and architectures.
• Ensure test solutions integrate seamlessly with hardware, software, and system environments.
• Work closely with design engineers, test engineers, and programme managers to ensure traceability and compliance throughout the lifecycle.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and guidance to multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Contribute to bid and proposal activity, providing technical input to estimates, schedules, and solution concepts.
• Engage directly with key stakeholders to ensure alignment with defence standards, policies, and best practices.
• Drive innovation in test methods, including automation, digital twins, and model‑based test approaches.

Skills

Test Systems Architect

Test system design

Hardware/Software/COTS

Stakeholder management

Lifecycle experience

Job description

Thales in the UK is seeking an experienced Test Design Engineer/Architect focused on Test Solutions to define and deliver robust test architectures for aerospace and defence systems.

You will work with design, integration, and customers across UK sites (Crawley, Reading, Cheadle, Bristol, Glasgow and others), ensuring alignment with MOD standards and lifecycle requirements, with opportunities for technical leadership and innovation.