Senior Environmental Test Engineer TLNT1_NI in Belfast

Type: Permanent

Disciplines: Testing

Salary: Competitive

Location: City, Belfast

Description: 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 Environmental Test Engineer Location: based in Belfast, onsite with optional 1 day hybrid working per week.

Other: permanent, full-time. Flexibility to work overtime and travel extensively within the UK and internationally, often at short notice and for periods of up to four weeks, to support operational and project requirements is essential.

Join Thales and play a pivotal role in delivering world-class trials and environmental testing for some of the most advanced defence and missile systems in service today.

What the role has to offer:

• Work on cutting-edge defence technology
• Enjoy variety, autonomy and real responsibility
• Develop your career in a specialist, highly respected team

Our Opportunity:

As a Senior Environmental Test Engineer, you'll join a specialist team responsible for testing, validating and supporting cutting-edge defence and missile systems for UK MOD and international customers. Reporting to the Head of Trials & Environmental Testing, you'll take ownership of work packages across development, qualification and in-service trials, combining hands-on testing, technical analysis, customer support and problem-solving to ensure products perform when it matters most.

You'll work with a wide range of specialist equipment and facilities, including environmental chambers (high & low temperature, humidity and salt spray), vibration and shock test systems, sound and vibration measurement instrumentation and signal conditioning, blast trial facilities, conducting and analysing acoustic and blast measurements to support product qualification and performance validation.

We're looking for a proactive, hands-on engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, working across multidisciplinary teams and taking ownership of delivery. Offering excellent variety and autonomy, this role will see you working in laboratories, at customer sites and on trial ranges, supporting critical defence programmes in the UK and overseas.

Flexibility is essential, as the role involves occasional out-of-hours testing, additional hours to support trials, and regular UK and international travel, including deployments of up to four weeks at a time.

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:

• Competitive salary and benefits package designed to support our employees' wellbeing and professional growth, which includes:
• 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
• 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:

• Lead the planning and delivery of complex trials and test programmes
• Own end-to-end test and trial activities
• Operate at the forefront of missile systems testing
• Deliver hands-on environmental and qualification testing
• Work closely with customers, suppliers and multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Take ownership of work packages and customer-facing activities

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 Skills & Experience:

Essential:

• Acquired a bachelor's degree (or higher)
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in instrumentation, signal conditioning, and data acquisition systems
• Proven capability in data analysis, interpreting complex test results
• Demonstrated strong numerical, analytical and technical reporting skills
• Proven proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel
• Acquired practical mechanical and electrical workshop skills
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and within multidisciplinary teams

Desirable:

• Proven practical experience in environmental testing
• Demonstrated knowledge of instrument calibration processes
• Acquired membership of a relevant professional engineering institution

Ready to put your engineering expertise to the test? Apply today and help shape the future of defence innovation with Thales!

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. For further information and to submit your application, click the apply icon. Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.