Job Description

Location: Crawley, United Kingdom
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.
Data Architect
Thales Group's global CortAIx initiative already employs over 600 AI and data specialists, being the first patent applicant in AI for critical systems in Europe with more than 200 patents filed to date. With more than 100 products integrating AI, the Group accelerates the development and deployment of trusted AI-powered systems in the most complex and challenging environments. cortAIx in the UK builds on this success and will serve as a focal point for AI innovation, bringing together cutting-edge technology, talent, and research to deliver AI solutions that are ethical, transparent, explainable, and operationally effective.
We are seeking a talented and experienced Data Architect to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in data architecture principles and practices, with the ability to design, implement, and maintain efficient and scalable data solutions. As a Data Architect, you will play a crucial role in shaping data infrastructure to support business objectives, ensuring it is robust, secure, and compliant with industry standards.
Life as a Thales Data Architect
As a Data Architect within Thales, you will:

• Design, manage and coordinate data architectures across lifecycle phases from Bid to Delivery in collaboration with bid/project/product teams
• Approve the technical, technological, and methodological choices taken in respect of the selected data architectures
• Ensure compliance with data governance policies and industry standards, including data security and privacy regulations.
• Guarantee adherence to standards, reuse and product policies
• Weigh Risk, ROI, schedule & budget considerations to provide solution recommendations
• Prepare and document architecture choices, present and document their justification and trade-offs (Design & Justification Files)
• Support and coach teams throughout the development cycle
• Mentor and guide to provide knowledge on state-of-the-art data architecting or practices, writing article on engineering communities, sharing return of experience during webinar and peer reviews.
• Maintain a technological watch on trends and identify opportunities

Candidates That Would Impress Us
PROFILE:

• You have significant and proven data architecture experience
• You possess a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field (advanced degree preferred)
• You are convincing and persuasive
• You like following the latest trends in innovation
• You possess good analysis and synthesis

COMPETENCIES:

• You have excellent communication skills to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including technical teams, business leaders, and external partners.
• You have deep understanding of data architecture principles, including data modelling, database design, data management, and data governance
• You are proficient in data technologies such as SQL, NoSQL, graph databases, data lakes, data mesh, ETL processes, data platforms, and data warehousing
• You possess excellent analytical skills to evaluate, integrate, and optimize data systems and solutions
• You have a forward-thinking approach to data architecture, incorporating new technologies and best practices
• You are comfortable with formal engineering process and solution definition
• You have proven modelling skills and ability to use modelling tools/methods
• You enjoy working within Agile environment (Scrum, SAFe) and DevSecOps cultures
• You are proficient in the management of performance, robustness, cost, and cybersecurity
• You are familiar with design patterns and able to define reusable referenced architecture in line with product policy
• You naturally translate business strategy into viable technical strategy

Security Clearance statement
This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.
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.
For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the National Security Vetting (NSV) Agency - United Kingdom Security Vetting - GOV.UK ( )
What We Can Offer
We're committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you'll have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.
Our packages come with an array of wider benefits including a bonus, private healthcare, contractual salary/development reviews, internal first hiring and an environment design to allow you to thrive including allocation of training budgets and internal training academies.
Your Career at Thales
Future opportunities will allow you to discover other domains or sites. You will be able to evolve and grow your competencies in different areas:

• Room and attention to personal development
• Build your talents in another domain of Thales Group, discovering new products, new customers, new country or go to a more complex Solution
• Choose between a technical expertise or a leadership path
• Build an international career within a leading Engineering Group

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.
#LI-CL1
In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.
At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.
Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact for mid to senior roles, or the for graduate and apprentice roles.
Great journeys start here, apply now!

Skills Required