Systems / Solutions Architect in Crawley

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 aircraft. 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.

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 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. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring.