Systems Architect in Milton Keynes

Systems Architect in Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Thales

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and deliver innovative vehicle systems architecture for cutting-edge technology projects.
  • Company: Join Thales, a global leader in technology with a focus on defence and digital security.
  • Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, annual bonuses, and flexible working options.
  • Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while working on exciting projects.
  • Qualifications: Experience in systems engineering and strong communication skills are essential.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

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.

  • System Architect
  • Green Park - Hybrid module

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Systems Architect with significant vehicle expertise to deliver the role of Vehicle Systems Architect in support of our Vehicle Optronics and Sensors Group.

The role is based in Reading, but may be required to work at other Thales locations.

Depending on the specific projects the role may require periods of time to be spent at Customer sites and/or integration facilities.

Primary Purpose of the Role

The successful candidate will be a talented Systems Architect with experience of conceptual and detailed design, Integration and delivery, coupled with a proven capability of delivering mission system programmes.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

The successful candidate will be responsible for defining and recommending candidate architectures for the corresponding level (solution or solution element) to satisfy stakeholder expectations according to the standards and re-use policies, the technology roadmap and the business strategy.

The candidate will be responsible for establishing the solution architecture by making trade-offs between stakeholder expectations, technical and technological solutions and costs, risks and schedule, document the associated artefacts and approve the resulting lower-level specifications (internal or external).

You will be responsible for planning work, using systems thinking to analyse problems, managing, writing and verifying technical requirements, producing technical reports and specifications, performing systems analyses, meeting milestones and working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to deliver successful programmes.

  • Typical Tasks include
  • Applying a systems thinking approach to architecture design for the lifecycle of the product. Ideally using methods similar to those recommended by INCOSE.
  • Deriving and modelling the solution architecture using ARCADIA Architectural Framework, ideally using Model Based System Engineering approaches.
  • Identifying methods to test and validate the architecture.
  • Detailing the design and documenting design decisions and rationale.
  • Developing the system design in accordance with the system architecture and requirements.
  • Perform system modelling using system engineering tools.
  • Manage technical requirements flow-down and implementation from customer to sub-systems.
  • Support development and performing of system verification methods to demonstrate compliance with the customer’s needs.
  • Working within the scope of the Company’s Processes and the System Engineering Management Plan.
  • Working within the engineering team to accomplish engineering activities to time, budget and quality.
  • Contributing to and writing Engineering Plans, Technical Specifications, interface Documents, Test Plans and Technical Reports.
  • Ensuring that design certification for contract requirements and appropriate legislation, including product safety, is performed correctly.
  • Supporting engineering reviews and prepare associated technical documentation.

Skills

  • An understanding of the fundamentals of Systems Engineering methodologies around Design, Verification, Validation, Qualification and Acceptance.
  • Experience deriving system capabilities, functionalities and behaviours, ideally using Model Based Systems Engineering & Sys ML approaches.
  • Understanding of the different actors involved in projects with the ability to contextualise and change the perspective (political, economic, social, technical, environmental, legal…)
  • Self‑motivated and capable of working alone & with teams.
  • Proven experience in product design in an engineering or research environment.
  • Must have good communication skills.
  • Experience producing documentation with clarity and precision.
  • Be prepared to challenge other’s views and willing to accept constructive feedback.
  • IBM DOORS or an equivalent requirements management tool.
  • Enterprise Architect / Capella / Rhapsody or similar MBSE tool.
  • MATLAB or an equivalent simulation/modelling tool (Desirable).
  • Knowledge of analogue and digital circuit design (Desirable).
  • Expertise in Lan Systems and Armoured Fighting Vehicle domains (Desirable).
  • Knowledge and experience of open vehicle architectures (Desirable).

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.

For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the National Security Vetting (NSV) Agency - United Kingdom Secu

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
  • 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.

Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

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Systems Architect in Milton Keynes employer: Thales

Thales is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Crawley where innovation meets social responsibility. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to market-leading training and mentorship from industry experts, alongside competitive benefits such as private healthcare, a robust pension plan, and opportunities for career advancement within a diverse global organisation. Join us to contribute to cutting-edge projects in defence and aerospace while enjoying a supportive culture that values your growth and well-being.

Thales

Contact Details:

Thales Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Systems Architect in Milton Keynes

Join Local Tech Meetups

Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Thales or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!

Contribute to Open Source Projects

Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Thales.

Tap into Online Developer Communities

Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Thales.

Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles

Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Thales that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!

We think you need these skills to ace Systems Architect in Milton Keynes

Systems Engineering
Architecture Design
Integration and Delivery
Technical Requirements Management
Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
ARCADIA Architectural Framework
System Modelling

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.

Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Thales.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Thales and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!

Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!

How to prepare for a job interview at Thales

Brush Up on Your Coding Skills

For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.

Know Your Tools and Frameworks

Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Thales uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.

Showcase Your Projects

Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Behavioural Questions

While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.