At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative connectivity solutions for defence and security applications.
- Company: Thales, a global tech leader shaping the future of connectivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, private healthcare, and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Dynamic hybrid work environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a cutting-edge team and influence the future of critical communication technologies.
- Qualifications: Strong background in communications, networking, and software development.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Reading, 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.
Help Shape the Future of Connectivity
Are you a communications and networking expert who thrives on turning cutting-edge ideas into working solutions? At Thales Research and Technology (TRT) we're looking for an experienced engineer with a deep technical background in wireless communications, networking and connectivity systems to lead the development of next-generation solutions for critical defence and security applications. This is not a traditional product development role. You'll work at the forefront of applied research, taking innovative concepts from early-stage exploration through to demonstrable prototypes and operational trials. You'll combine your expertise in communications technologies with modern software engineering approaches to solve some of the most complex connectivity challenges facing our customers.
If you're passionate about SATCOM, terrestrial communications, network architectures and emerging connectivity technologies, and want to influence the future technical direction of mission-critical systems, we'd love to hear from you.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading the technical delivery of innovative connectivity demonstrators and prototype solutions
- Designing and implementing software-enabled communications and networking systems
- Translating wireless concepts into scalable architectures and deployable capabilities
- Providing technical leadership and mentoring a small team of engineers
- Engaging with customers and stakeholders to understand challenges and shape solutions
- Supporting technology strategy, innovation activities and future research bids
What We're Looking For
- Strong technical background in communications, networking and connectivity systems
- Experience developing wireless communication solutions, ideally across SATCOM and terrestrial technologies
- Proven ability to translate communications concepts into practical system architectures
- Embedded software development experience, from proof-of-concept through to prototype delivery
- Experience with modern software practices, including: Cloud-native architectures
- Experience with modern software practices, including: Containerised development
- Experience with modern software practices, including: Microservices
- Experience with modern software practices, including: Kubernetes/K3s
- Experience with modern software practices, including: Edge and enterprise deployments
- Experience working in innovation, research, advanced engineering or concept development environments
- Ability to provide technical leadership and guide less experienced engineers
If you're excited by solving complex connectivity challenges and turning breakthrough ideas into reality, we'd love to hear from you.
Our Benefits:
- Performance-related bonus (grade dependent)
- Car cash allowance (grade dependent)
- 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 (grade dependent)
- 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.
Comms & Networking Research – Software Solution lead in Reading 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Comms & Networking Research – Software Solution lead in Reading
✨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 Comms & Networking Research – Software Solution lead in Reading
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.
