2027 Research and Development Graduate

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.

2027 Research and Development Graduate

Start Date: 06 September 2027 Salary: £34,000 per annum Employee type: Permanent Location: Reading Working Schedule: 37 hours per week (8 hours Monday - Thursday, 5 hours on a Friday)

Are you passionate about engineering? Do you have an inquisitive mind? Do you want to be part of a Graduate Programme that will develop and challenge you? If so, then look no further…

What is the Engineering Development Programme? This is 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.

During the programme, you will:

• Complete a 3-year Graduate Development Programme which is accredited by the IET, IMechE and RAeS

• An opportunity to rotate in Year 3 or explore an external secondment with one of our Thales partners

• Complete a core training pathway focusing on transversal skills

• Develop key engineering skills, knowledge and competencies

• Work in a set location and domain for the entirety of the scheme, enabling you to fully understand how the Engineering Function operates

• Work on exciting new and existing products

• Build a professional network across the organisation

Requirements: This is an entry-level graduate opportunity designed for individuals at the start of their professional career. We welcome applications from candidates who have completed a degree and have limited relevant professional experience.

You will have gained or be on track to achieve a bachelor’s degree in a STEM Subject in one of the following subject areas:

• Computer Science (BSc)

• Computing (BEng)

• Computing and Data Science (BSc)

• Software Engineering (BSc or MEng)

• Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics and Statistics (BSc or MSc)

• Theoretical Physics, Physics with Astrophysics, Quantum Physics (BSc)

• Psychology (BSc)

• Engineering (Software, Electronic, Aerospace, Mechanical, Systems) (BSc)

• Neuroscience, Creative Design/Digital Creativity, Games Design (BSc)

• All applicable technical or related degrees will be considered

Benefits:

• Competitive salary of £34,000 per annum

• Performance-related pay uplifts

• Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year (plus a company day and bank holidays)

• Contributory Company Pension

• Health Care Cash Plan

• Hybrid/flexible working options

• Employee assistance programme

• Learning and development support

• Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives

• Life cover

• 80 Hours Volunteering per year (first two years)

Thales Graduate Recruitment Process:

1. Apply Online - submit your application online to register your interest. You only need to register for one role as you will have the opportunity to apply for additional roles at the full application stage.

2. Upload Your CV

3. Check your emails for the invitation to apply – this will come from recruiting@jobalerts.thalesgroup.com

4. Complete Your Application – follow the link provided in the email to complete your application. You can apply for one primary role and up to 3 additional roles.

5. Complete Online Tests - undertake the online assessments designed to evaluate your suitability for the role.

6. Video Interview - if successful in the online testing stage, you will be invited to complete a video interview.

7. Virtual Assessment Centre - candidates who progress from the video interview stage will attend a virtual assessment centre, which may include presentations, group exercises, and competency-based interviews.

8. Job Offer – successful candidates who perform well throughout the recruitment process will receive a job offer from Thales.

For further information about our Future Talent recruitment process, including hints and tips, or to connect with a member of the Future Talent Team, a Graduate, or an Apprentice, please visit Thales Future Talent - Connectr.

Please note, assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February - May 2027. Induction week for all Graduate and Apprentices will take place from Monday 6 September - Friday 10 September 2027.

Closing date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 6 January 2027, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note, we will be in contact by the end of February 2027 with details of next steps.

Because of the work we do at Thales, all roles are subject to security requirements.

To be considered for this position, you must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete and maintain UK Government security checks, including Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) screening and Security Clearance (SC), which is a government background check, before starting employment.

To be eligible for SC clearance, you will typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. As part of the vetting process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, right to work in the UK, any time spent overseas during the last five years, and your employment and/or education history.

For further details of the evidence required to apply for security clearance please follow this link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer, and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales. 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. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!