Military Operational Analyst

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

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.

Military Operational Analyst
Location: Belfast or Templecombe, full-time hybrid working with 3 days in the office plus travel
Step into a role where your analysis drives innovation - join us in shaping the next generation of defence capabilities!
What the role has to offer

• Shape the future of defence by aligning products with evolving customer requirements, emerging threats, and next-generation concepts

• Collaborate directly with end users to understand operational needs and drive meaningful change

• Make a tangible impact - your work influences real-world outcomes and supports national security

• Apply and grow your technical expertise in a role that blends cutting-edge analysis with strategic thinking

Our Opportunity
Are you ready to help shape the future of defence innovation? As an Operational Analyst in Early Concepts & Systems Development, you’ll be at the forefront of pioneering technology - providing critical analysis at the earliest stages of concept and system design. This role is instrumental in identifying operational needs, exploring cutting-edge solutions, and assessing emerging technologies. You’ll collaborate with a diverse team of scientists, engineers, military planners, and key stakeholders to ensure new concepts are strategically aligned, operationally viable, and built to meet tomorrow’s defence challenges.
If based in Belfast, you’ll travel quarterly to Templecombe. If located in Templecombe, there will be monthly visits tailored to the needs of the business. Candidates who prefer to be based in Belfast may be given priority. We welcome applications from systems engineers or software engineers ready to embrace a new role.
Building a Future, we can all trust.
Thales Land & Air Systems (LAS) supplies systems, equipment, sensors and services for civil and military air traffic control, air defence and land combat. Integrated Airspace Protection Systems (IAS) activities are at the heart of the forces’ operational priorities, and a major growth opportunity for Thales. Our activities ensure that nations maintain sovereignty over their airspace and assist the Armed Forces in safeguarding populations and infrastructure from all forms of aerial threats.
 

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)

• 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

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

• Collaborate with concept development teams to define operational requirements and draft CONOPS (Concept of Operations), user needs, and system performance parameters

• Conduct mission analysis, threat assessments, and scenario development to inform early-stage capability concepts

• Evaluate emerging technologies through modelling, simulation, and analysis to assess operational potential and limitations

• Gather and synthesize operational feedback via workshops, wargames, and expert interviews to refine concepts and ensure alignment with user needs

• Present analytical findings, recommendations, and risk assessments to guide investment and design decisions

• Monitor advancements in defence technology, adversary capabilities, and doctrine to support concept development

• Ensure all analytical processes adhere to defence standards, policies, and security protocols

About You

At Thales, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world’s most critical challenges.

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field

• Proven analytical experience in early-stage technology or system development, ideally within defence or security

• Skilled in concept development, modelling, simulation, requirements analysis, and tools such as MATLAB

• Strong communicator, capable of translating complex technical insights into clear, actionable recommendations

• Experienced in collaborating with cross-disciplinary and cross-functional teams

While not essential, we’re especially eager to hear from people who bring these skills and qualities:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field

• Experience in concept development or early-phase defence acquisition, ideally involving military end-users or innovation environments

• Familiarity with rapid prototyping, user-centred design, agile methodologies, and wargaming or design thinking workshops

• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or other high-level languages

• Strong understanding of emerging defence technologies, future operational concepts, and capability development processes

Ready to shape tomorrow’s defence landscape? Apply now and bring your insight to where it matters most.
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 (www.gov.uk)

#LI-VG1

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.

Great journeys start here, apply now!