2026 Engineering Student Placement (Digital Industry) in Belfast

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems, Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security, and Space.

Your health and well-being matters to us and that's why we offer you the flexibility to do what's important to you; whether that's part-time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

About the Role

As a Digital Industry placement student, you will be expected to support the delivery and deployment of Industry 4.0 and Digital Technologies projects within Belfast Industry. Reporting to the Digital Manufacturing Transformation Lead, you will be empowered to deliver within the Integrated Airspace Protection Systems business unit and will work alongside the wider UK digital team. As part of the Belfast Digital team, you will be collaborating with cross-functional teams, including Industrial Process Engineering, Planning, and Continuous Improvement teams to support the development of engineering use cases.

Within Belfast exists the Connected Reconfigurable Factory innovation lab (COREF) which showcases the physical technologies within Industry. These include smart tools, vision systems, and cobots. You will be acting as the COREF Lab curator and custodian and will be the point of contact for enquiries, demos, and access. Your role will also be heavily focused on the development of use cases and technological capability exploration, as well as running and supporting Digital Industry projects which include exciting new developments to revolutionise the manufacturing processes.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Gain an understanding of COREF technologies and Industry 4.0 development, identify future opportunities for technology application through engagement with COREF users, external materials, and other functions.
• Identify and develop use cases for technology within the ICC by engaging with manufacturing engineers and other functions where appropriate.
• Prepare and deliver technical demonstrations utilising COREF Technology as well as events to promote COREF to inform, educate, and inspire users.
• Support, run, and deliver Digital Industry projects in line with functional industry requirements to support continuous improvement and innovation of processes.

Skills and Qualifications

• BEng in a relevant Engineering, Scientific or Numerate Degree
• Some experience or knowledge of IoT technology (cobots, digital tools, and technology)
• Demonstrable analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Desire to learn about different technology and its applications
• Self-motivated and able to use initiative to learn new skills
• Team working skills

Desirable

• Some experience/knowledge in programming/coding
• Some experience/knowledge in data analytics

Values & Behaviours:

• Be ambitious and accountable
• Perform through cooperation
• Goal orientated and delivery focused
• Displays innovation and self-motivation, manages self
• Demonstrates dedication and determination against assigned tasks

This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held; however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance. 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.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries, our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!