Senior Environmental Test Engineer

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

Other: permanent, full-time.

Travel: 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 supporting critical programmes that help protect armed forces across the UK and around the globe.
• Enjoy variety, autonomy and real responsibility, leading work packages from planning and testing through to analysis, customer engagement and technical delivery.
• Develop your career in a specialist, highly respected team, gaining exposure to live trials, advanced test facilities, multidisciplinary engineering projects and international travel opportunities.

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

• We offer a 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.
• Life cover.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app.
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of complex trials and test programmes, collaborating with project teams, customers and stakeholders to ensure successful execution across current and future defence projects.
• Own end-to-end test and trial activities, from developing test plans and securing technical inputs through to conducting trials, analysing results and producing high-quality technical reports.
• Operate at the forefront of missile systems testing, preparing, integrating and validating missiles and associated equipment for ground and flight trials, including support for customer practice firings.
• Deliver hands-on environmental and qualification testing, conducting climatic, shock, vibration, structural and environmental assessments while fault-finding and operating specialist test equipment and instrumentation.
• Work closely with customers, suppliers and multidisciplinary engineering teams, attending project reviews, providing technical support and training, and contributing to the design and development of bespoke test and trials solutions.
• Take ownership of work packages and customer-facing activities, including equipment installation, in-service support and technical delivery at Thales sites, customer locations and trial ranges, with opportunities for travel in the UK and overseas.

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

• Acquired a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in an Engineering, Scientific, or Mathematical discipline, supported by a full UK driving licence and willingness to travel as required.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in instrumentation, signal conditioning, and data acquisition systems, with the ability to configure, operate and troubleshoot test equipment.
• Proven capability in data analysis, interpreting complex test results and using analysis tools to provide clear, evidence-based recommendations and conclusions.
• Demonstrated strong numerical, analytical and technical reporting skills, with experience producing high-quality test procedures, reports and documentation.
• Proven proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, for data processing, analysis and presentation of results.
• Acquired practical mechanical and electrical workshop skills, with the ability to support the setup, integration and maintenance of test and trial equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and within multidisciplinary teams, applying initiative, creativity and a proactive approach to problem-solving, while maintaining a positive mindset and commitment to continuous learning.
• Proven practical experience in environmental testing, including vibration, climatic, acoustic and stress testing within a laboratory, development or qualification environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of instrument calibration processes, ensuring the accuracy, reliability and compliance of test equipment and measurement systems.
• Acquired membership of a relevant professional engineering institution, or a commitment to working towards professional registration and continuous professional development.

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.