Location: Crawley, 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.
Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.
Join Thales Training & Simulation and play a key role in shaping complex, mission-critical systems that support defence and security customers worldwide. This is a high-impact architecture role where you’ll translate customer needs into scalable, innovative solutions—balancing performance, cost, risk, and delivery.
The Role:
As a Solution / Systems Architect, you’ll lead the definition of end-to-end system architectures across advanced training and simulation programmes. You’ll work at the intersection of engineering, product, and customer engagement—owning architectural decisions and ensuring solutions are robust, compliant, and aligned with business strategy.
What You’ll Be Doing:
Define and own solution architectures aligned to customer and business needs
Translate requirements into structured system designs, ensuring full traceability
Lead design trade-offs across cost, risk, performance, and schedule
Collaborate across systems, software, safety, and security teams to ensure technical coherence
Apply MBSE / SysML approaches to model and manage system architecture
Engage with customers and stakeholders, providing technical leadership and guidance
Drive verification, validation, and certification readiness
Produce high-quality technical documentation and architectural artefacts
What We’re Looking For:
Proven experience in systems or solution architecture within complex engineering environments
Strong understanding of architecture frameworks, design methodologies, and trade-off analysis
Experience with MBSE and SysML tools (e.g. Cameo, Capella)
Familiarity with requirements management tools (DOORS, Polarion)
Ability to work across disciplines and influence stakeholders at all levels
Strong communication skills with experience simplifying complex technical concepts
Background in defence, aerospace, simulation, or other safety-critical systems is highly desirable
Why This Role?
Shape end-to-end architectures for complex, real-world systems
Work closely with customers, bids, and engineering leadership
Be part of a team driving innovation in training and simulation technologies
Influence decisions that directly impact programme success and delivery
Benefits:
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
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. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.
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
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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!
