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.

Senior Missile Architect (IAS)
Known internally as Missile Architect
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

This is an opportunity for a senior technical leader to drive the architectural vision for future missile systems while influencing strategy, investment, and technology direction across the business.

What the role has to offer

• Shape the Future of Missile Capability - take a leading role in defining next-generation missile architectures, influencing technology choices, product strategies, and future capability roadmaps that will underpin tomorrow's defence solutions
• End-to-End Product Lifecycle Exposure - shape missile capability across the full product lifecycle, from concept and innovation through to delivery and support. With exposure to diverse technologies, programmes, and stakeholders, you'll develop broad architectural expertise while making a tangible impact at every stage
• Strategic Technical Leadership - operate at the intersection of engineering, innovation, and business strategy, providing technical leadership across concept development, bids, investment planning, and technology maturation activities

Our Opportunity

As a Senior Missile Architect, you will be at the forefront of shaping the next generation of missile and effector capability. Leading the assessment, selection, and integration of advanced technologies, you'll define future architectures that deliver operational advantage and underpin long-term product strategy.

You'll provide technical leadership across multiple technology domains, driving architectural decisions from early concept through to strategic capability planning. Drawing on broad experience across missile technologies, potentially including missile effectiveness and operational analysis, you'll influence both current and future solutions.

This is a high-impact role with significant visibility across the business. You'll lead concept studies, support major bids, shape technology investment priorities, and influence future capability roadmaps. Working closely with customers, partners, suppliers, and multidisciplinary engineering teams, you'll play a key role in defining the technologies and architectures that will deliver tomorrow's defence capabilities.

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  

• Provide technical leadership, governance, and guidance for missile and effector concept development activities and bids
• Lead the development, maintenance, and application of architectural models and trade studies to support key technology and design decisions
• Develop future missile concept architectures and specifications aligned to strategic capability objectives
• Contribute to the development and communication of the effector strategy, technology roadmaps, and investment priorities
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and industry partners to influence future capability development and technology direction
• Lead and support capability growth across the organisation through mentoring, SQEP development, and leadership of technical specialist groups

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)

• Significant experience within the defence sector, with strong knowledge of missile, weapon, or effector systems and associated technologies
• Proven experience in missile or system architecture development, including concept generation and architectural trade studies
• Strong understanding of the product lifecycle, from early concept and design through development, production, and in-service support
• Experience applying modelling, analysis, and engineering judgement to support complex technical decision making
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence technical and non-technical audiences at all levels
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including leading multidisciplinary teams, technical communities, or strategic engineering activities

Desirable

• Experience developing and delivering missile or effector products within a Defence organisation
• Knowledge of missile subsystem technologies, architecture policies, technology road mapping, and product line strategy development

If you're passionate about shaping the future of missile capability and want to influence the technologies and architectures that will define tomorrow's defence solutions, we'd love to hear from you.

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.

#LI-VG1

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.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

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