System Architect - Weapon Systems

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

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Pension scheme

Life cover

24/7 Employee Assistance Program

Employee discounts

Job summary

Thales in Belfast, UK, is hiring a Systems Architect - Weapon Systems (IAS) to lead the development of advanced Weapon System architectures and roadmaps. The role requires minimum 3 days in the office in a hybrid setup with up to 15% travel and SC clearance eligibility.

You will work with customers, senior stakeholders, and programme teams to shape architectures and strategic investments. The opportunity involves directing technical leadership across bids and programmes, influencing governance,

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline with UK SC clearance ability.
• Significant experience in senior engineering, systems architecture, technical leadership, or product development in a complex tech environment.
• Proven expertise in architecting, developing and managing complex systems across the lifecycle.
• Experience developing and delivering technical roadmaps aligned with product strategy and business goals.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills to influence customers, partners and senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership capability with autonomy and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve Weapon System architectures, including operation concepts, interfaces and system design.
• Develop innovative technical solutions and proposals balancing cost, schedule, performance and risk.
• Provide technical leadership and governance across the development lifecycle.
• Act as principal technical interface for customers, partners and suppliers.
• Maintain domain expertise in Weapon Systems and emerging technologies.
• Support Design Authority activities and communicate solutions using architecture tools.

Skills

System architecture

Technical leadership

Stakeholder management

Roadmap development

Communication

Independent working

Education

Engineering or related technical discipline

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.

Systems Architect - Weapon Systems (IAS)

Location: based in Belfast, minimum 3 days/ week in office (hybrid), with <15% travel. Other: permanent, full-time. Interested in helping shape the future of advanced Weapon Systems? This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation defence capabilities, influencing technical strategy, and delivering innovative solutions for our customers.

What the role has to offer

• Support the development of advanced Weapon System architectures and technology plans
• Work directly with customers, senior stakeholders, and product leaders, acting as a key technical authority across major programmes and strategic initiatives
• Evaluate emerging technologies, de-risk future capabilities, and turn advanced concepts into operational products that deliver real-world impact

Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Head of Capability Development - Weapon Systems within the IAS Technical Directorate, this is a rare opportunity to influence the future of advanced defence capability. As a System Architect, you will lead the development of innovative Weapon System solutions, shaping architectures, technology roadmaps, and strategic investment decisions that drive next-generation products. Working across engineering, technology, and customer-facing teams - you will provide technical leadership across bids, programmes, and product development, ensuring solutions deliver operational excellence, performance, and value.

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

• Define and evolve Weapon System architectures, including Concepts of Operation, functional partitioning, interfaces, and system-level design to meet operational, technical, and customer requirements
• Develop innovative technical solutions and proposals for complex Weapon Systems, balancing cost, schedule, performance, risk, and compliance within bid and programme constraints
• Provide technical leadership and governance across the development lifecycle, ensuring engineering activities, system designs, and project deliverables comply with requirements, standards, and product policies
• Act as the principal technical interface for customers, partners, suppliers, and internal stakeholders, supporting technical discussions, requirement trade-offs, and the successful delivery of development opportunities
• Maintain and apply domain expertise in Weapon Systems, related sub-systems, speciality engineering disciplines, and emerging technologies, identifying opportunities to enhance capability and competitive advantage
• Support Design Authority activities and communicate technical solutions effectively, using system architecture tools and methodologies to capture, develop, and present system designs to stakeholders across the business and customer 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, 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, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline, with the ability to obtain and maintain UK SC clearance
• Significant experience in senior engineering, systems architecture, technical leadership, or product development roles within a complex technology environment
• Proven expertise in architecting, developing and managing complex systems, including ownership of technical solutions across the product lifecycle
• Experience developing and delivering technical roadmaps, aligning technology, product strategy, and business objectives
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence customers, partners, suppliers, and senior internal stakeholders
• Demonstrable leadership capability, able to work independently, provide objective technical direction, manage technical risk, and collaborate effectively within cross-functional leadership teams

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or equivalent professional accreditation
• Experience in a Design Authority, Chief Engineer, or similar technical governance role, providing oversight of complex programmes or products
• Knowledge of Weapon Systems and Short-Range Defence, including operational concepts, relevant sub-systems, emerging technologies, and product lifecycle management

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.

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.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!