Systems Engineering Graduate

in fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible. Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us.

At thales uk, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of aerospace, defence, security and space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that's why we offer you the flexibility to do what's important to you;

whether that's part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

start date: 07 september 2026

salary: £34,000 per annum

location: reading

employee type: permanent

working schedule: monday to friday, 37 hours a week (8 hours monday to thursday, 5 hours friday)

• permanent role from day one
• work on exciting projects within our business units
• receive mentorship and support from our engineering leadership team
• an opportunity in year 3 to rotate into different business units and experience different parts of an engineering lifecycle

this is an exciting engineering graduate programme designed to create the next generation of aspiring engineering experts, specialists and leaders for thales in the uk. We are looking for people with a passion for engineering and/or design and development combined with an inquisitive mind and an intrinsic interest in people, leadership and success through teamwork. If you are looking for a broad learning experience, thales offers you extensive development and challenges, and will support you so that you can drive your career progression at the right rate for you.

this a 3 year programme with the option to rotate, in year 3, around the country across different business units experiencing different parts of an engineering lifecycle. You will be assigned to a succession of new or existing programmes where you will work with and be supported by other engineers to design and develop engineering solutions to meet the needs of our customers.

during your time on the programme you will be under the sponsorship and guidance of the engineering leadership team and will follow a structured and detailed learning pathway to fast track your development within your role.

you will have gained or be on track to achieve a bachelors degree in a stem subject in one of the following subject areas:

• aeronautical or aerospace engineering
• electrical and/or electronic engineering
• information technology
• mathematics
• physics
• systems engineering
• ai, machine learning and cybernetics
• all applicable technical or related degrees will be considered

this programme is a great opportunity to work in one of the world's leading engineering organisations and develop a long-term career building engineering solutions together, safer, everywhere.

please note that graduate development programme (gdp) activities take place during the working week but may require the investment of some personal time for travel and follow-up activities. You may have the opportunity to travel to thales and non-thales sites throughout the uk when participating in gdp activities.

• 201 hours annual leave (plus a company day and bank holidays)
• company pension
• health care cash plan
• life insurance
• discount portal
• performance‑related pay uplifts
• 80 hours volunteering (first two years)

our applications will close m on monday 5 january 2026, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note, we will be in contact by the end of february 2026 with details of next steps. Please note that roles may close earlier than the advertised deadline if we receive a high numer of applications. We encourage you to apply as…