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Thales: Underwater Systems Engineer – RF & Electronic Design Job Title: RF & Electronic Engineer (Underwater Systems – CAP Group)
Thales helps armed forces customers achieve operational advantage in critical missions through high-tech defence mission systems at land, sea, and air. From sonar and electronic warfare to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), our technology ensures global safety, impacting millions daily.
At Thales UK, we innovate across aerospace, defence, security, and space, prioritising your well-being with flexible working options: hybrid roles, part-time, job-sharing, or flexible hours. Join a company committed to skilled career development in a diverse, dynamic environment.
About the Role
Location: Thales Underwater Systems (UWS), [specify if confirmed] Sector: Defence / RF & Electronic Engineering
Thales Underwater Systems leads global innovation in underwater sensing, decision-making, and naval protection. Our work spans four key areas:
- Mine Counter Measures
- Anti-Submarine Warfare
- Services
- Future naval capabilities
As an RF & Electronic Engineer within our Communications, Antennas & Propagation (CAP) group, you’ll electronically engineer critical underwater systems—from antennas and tuners to RF distribution units.
You’ll collaborate with architects, solution engineers, and business teams to deliver secure, compliant, and cost-effective solutions while mentoring junior engineers and advancing the Analogue Design and Simulations & Testing capabilities of our team.
Key Responsibilities
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Design Development:
- Lead the design and prototyping of RF/electronic components (antennas, tuners, distribution units) as per approved development plans.
- Work in cross-functional teams with systems engineers, solution architects, and procurement teams to optimise designs for performance, cost, and manufacturability.
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Project Execution:
- Decompose technical requirements, assign tasks, and collaborate across disciplines to meet defence standards.
- Support bid preparation, detailed estimates, and production planning.
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Mentorship & Innovation:
- Guide junior engineers in engineering design, PCB layout, and Thales’ processes.
- Drive improvements in Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Product Line Engineering alongside the team lead.
- Continuous learning: Share expertise and align with Thales’ broader innovation goals (coach other team members).
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Process & Product Excellency:
- Implement hardware bid initiatives and product optimisations alongside the Product Manager.
- Develop team capabilities in electronic modelling, testing, and compliance.
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Team Collaboration:
- Bridge gaps between design, engineering tools, simulation, and manufacturing.
- Propose authentic improvements to existing RF/electronic systems.
Required Skills & Experience
Essential Skills
- Strong electronics/hardware engineering background in analogue/digital or RF domains (e.g., antenna design, PCBs, communication systems).
- Up-to-date with system-engineering lifecycle phases (requirements analysis, procurement, lifecycle costing).
- Proficient in EDA tools (e.g., SPICE, CAD heritage, or similar) and radio communications (submarine or naval applications preferred).
- Deep knowledge of defence industry standards, military-grade specifications (ITAR and MoD compliance).
- Microsoft Office experience (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Self-starter, transparent communicator, and proactive mentee.
- Ability to bring innovative perspectives to complex engineering challenges.
Desirable Add-Ons
- PCB design experience (OrCAD/PADS, Altium Designer).
- Experience in Sonar development or underwater sensor systems.
- Net-centric communications and cabled/acoustic interfaces.
- Familiarity with naval platform integration (confined spaces, power constraints).
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Preferred Experience
Essential Experience
- Design leadership for electromechanical/aerial systems (or defence-focused RF equipment).
- Direct involvement in defence programmes (army, navy, or government contracts).
- Experience with acoustic communications systems, underwater acoustics, or military navigation.
Desirable Experience
- Naval platform integration (enginements, hard mount, or embedded systems).
- Design of deployment systems (launch/retrieval mechanisms for sensors).
- Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, RF signal generation, or subsea environmental conditions.
- Completed UK SC vetting.
Security Clearance (UK Eyes Only)
Mandatory Requirement:
- Applicants must be UK nationals or qualifying non-UK citizens (if eligible under ITAR exemptions).
- Successful candidates will undertake National Security Vetting (SC). Currently held clearance is advantageous. Residency Rule: Applicants must have resided in the UK ≥5 years immediately prior (or ≥3 years over a 5-year period with additional vetting). Check UKSV guidance for exceptions.
Why Join Thales?
Beyond competencies, we offer: ✔ Flexible working: Maximise personal life balance with remote, hybrid, job-share, or staggered hours. ✔ Career growth: Mobility programmes (80,000+ global employees) allow internal/external transitions. Learn-and-deploy opportunities in defence, space, and security. ✔ Networking & Leadership: Join a team valued for innovation and supported to upskill (e.g., in naval RF, acoustic hardware, or mission systems). ✔ Influence via Innovation: Contribute to real-world solutions—from antiterrorism to naval deterrence—to keeping society secure.
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PS: Thales embraces equality and ensures fair representation in hiring.
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