Chief Technologist - Autonomy TRT

## Chief Technologist - Autonomy TRT UKApplyremote type:
Hybrid locations:
Reading time type:
Full time posted on:
Posted Todaytime left to apply:
End Date:
June 4, 2026 (14 days left to apply) job requisition :
R0319076

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.
** Chief Technologist Autonomy TRT UK
***
* Location:

** Reading, with up to 15% approx. domestic & international travel  
** Other:
** permanent, full-time, hybrid working with 2-3 days in the office, plus relocation support package available    Step into a role where your technical vision will shape the future of autonomy across the UK and beyond!
** What the role has to offer**
* ** Shape future autonomy at source
** as part of Thales Research & Technology [TRT], the spearhead of Thales’ advanced R&D
* ** Unbounded technical influence**, with freedom to drive any autonomy area and access internal funding to accelerate innovation
* ** Global strategic impact**, working across international teams and sitting on one of the Thales Key Technology boards, to shape enterprise‐level decisions
** Our Opportunity
** Reporting to the Technical Director of TRT, the Chief Technologist for Autonomy provides the strategic technical leadership for Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS), defining the long‐term direction, critical capabilities, and differentiation needed for TRT and Thales UK. The successful candidate will shape investment, influence major captures, and guide market positioning through technical authority rather than operational control. Operating as part of the extended leadership team, the role drives enterprise‐level strategy while supporting - without owning - delivery, portfolio management, or line responsibilities.

You’ll bring deep expertise in Robotics and Autonomous Systems, backed by a strong technical degree and recognised professional standing. You’ll have a proven track record of shaping long‐term technology strategy, leading major R&D programmes, and influencing senior stakeholders across MOD and civil markets. Your ability to drive strategic investment, differentiate major captures, and communicate with authority will be key to succeeding in this enterprise‐level leadership role.
** Building a Future, we can all trust.
** Are you looking for the opportunity to directly shape and deliver world-class solutions to our customers? If so, then Engineering & Technical Management may be just the ticket. Whether focusing on leading large teams or working as a technical expert, roles in this area provide you with an opportunity to shape the world we live in today.
Thales Research & Technology (TRT) is the group’s multidisciplinary research organisation, supporting advanced R&D across defence, aerospace, security, transportation, and emerging technologies. It often appears in autonomy‐related contexts because TRT leads or contributes to upstream research in autonomy, AI, sensing, and intelligent systems.
** What we offer you
** We offer a competitive salary and benefits package designed to support our employees’ wellbeing and professional growth, which includes:
* Performance related annual bonus (VCP)
* Car allowance/car via salary sacrifice scheme
* Pension – match like-for-like up to 7% of annual base salary
* Life Assurance – 2 x base salary minimum (8 x salary if part of the pension scheme)
* Income Protection – 50% of salary less state benefits for 5 years
* Annual Leave – 201 hours, bank holidays, plus 1 company day
* Private Medical Insurance - Couples cover
* Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 1:00pm
* 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
* 24 hours paid leave for volunteering activities
* Access to flexible benefits and discounts – dental insurance, buying & selling annual leave, cycle to work, and many more
* Relocation support available for…