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.

Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

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.

Join Thales as a Machine Technician – Be Part of Innovation in Manufacturing!

POSITION: Manufacturing Technician
DEPARTMENT: Manufacturing
LOCATION: Belfast

Our Opportunity

As a CNC Machinist, you will support lead the manufacture and inspection of high precision components, sub-assemblies, tooling and fixtures in a total quality team environment in order to meet production schedules and requirements.

About You

As a Machine Technician, you will ideally have served an apprenticeship as a turner or skilled machinist and with proven post apprenticeship experience with mill/turn or multi-axis being advantageous.

To be successful in this role, you will already have the ability to understand information given on technical drawings and apply that information in the programming and in the operation of CNC machine tools.

Key Duties

• Responsible for the set-up and operation of major plant equipment within a high volume production environment i.e. C.N.C. machine tools in order to manufacture high precision missile components, Tooling, Gauging, Jig and fixture details and R&D hardware.
• Shop Floor programming using M.D.I. and G codes to produce C.N.C. programmes for the manufacture of R&D hardware and Tooling and to edit C.N.C. part programmes during prove out and production runs and to ensure any changes are fed back to manufacturing engineering to maintain traceability.
• Responsible for the step by step prove out of program by diagnosing errors therein to prevent damage to plant equipment and ensure correct manufacture of components.
• Responsible for recording data on statistical process control (S.P.C.) data base units or control charts. Monitoring and analysing such data to resolve problems in controlling the machining process.
• Responsible for calibration/plausibility checks on post process gauging (P.P.G) to assure correct part measurements.
• Responsible for the quality of machine components to drawing specification and quality standards, using meteorology equipment and to ensure equipment is within calibration requirements.
• Accountable for own productivity and quality and the recording any necessary quality defect data on factory management system (F.M.S.) to facilitate traceability.
• Responsible for progressing finished components to other work groups by actively participating in materials handling and processing correct progress data on the factory management system (F.M.S.)
• Responsible for identifying any errors found within process sheets and measurement plans and to ensure any such errors are reported to M.E. for correction.
• Responsibility to work in a continuous improvement environment to achieve maintain and improve product quality and to strive to reduce machining cycle times, lead time and production costs.
• Detailed training of other employees and apprentices in the most effective methods of performing tasks & duties.

Why Thales?

• By joining us, you become part of a global powerhouse at the forefront of aerospace, defence, and security technologies. We offer you:
• A supportive, inclusive workplace where your contributions make a difference.
• Opportunities to develop your skills with expert training and clear career pathways.
• The chance to work on impactful projects that protect and connect communities worldwide.
• A company culture grounded in innovation, collaboration, and respect.

What we can offer

• 4 day working week
• Pension Scheme
• 28 days annual leave (Plus Bank Holidays)
• Progression and Development Opportunities
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers

You will be supported by an additional ongoing training program over 2-3 years on steadily larger and more complex jobs to meet the manufacturing and quality requirements in line with the total quality concept.

Please note current working hours are due to change and any successful applicants must be open to future shift patterns.

#LI-SC1

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 Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

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!