Algorithm Developer
Location: Cheadle (full‑time presence required at our location)
Thales people provide armed forces customers with operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defence mission systems solutions at land, sea and air. Our platforms extend across the battlespace including Above and Sonar, Electronic Combat, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems. 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 – making life better and keeping 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.
What the role has to offer
You will dive into innovation with General Sonar Studies (GSS), a post‑doctoral research group within Thales UK’s Defence Mission Systems. The team focuses on delivering low‑TRL (1‑5) study activities to external and internal customers, especially for Royal Navy underwater platforms and Anti‑Submarine Warfare (ASW). You will help shape the future of sonar and maritime capabilities, work alongside top‑tier experts to develop revolutionary processing techniques and contribute to high‑impact projects that influence the mission cycle.
Key Responsibilities
* Champion the creation of innovative, collaborative solutions for customer‑funded R&D programmes, contributing to high‑impact bid documents that secure future opportunities and advance technological frontiers.
* Deliver complex tasks, work packages and projects with precision, ensuring outcomes are on time, within budget and aligned with the highest standards of quality and technical excellence.
* Strengthen customer engagement by providing expert technical support across delegated areas, fostering trusted, long‑term relationships with internal stakeholders and external GS studies clients.
* Fuel innovation across the Thales UK R&D ecosystem by contributing fresh ideas, novel concepts and breakthrough solutions that shape the next generation of maritime technologies.
* Craft compelling technical outputs, including reports, presentations and scientific papers that showcase cutting‑edge innovation and elevate the visibility of internal and external research achievements.
* Lead diverse technical initiatives, from developing advanced sonar processing algorithms and data fusion techniques to conducting performance prediction studies and trial analyses that inform strategic decision‑making.
* Advise on sonar capability development by identifying emerging field opportunities and integrating them into forward‑looking R&D strategies, providing deep analytical and mathematical expertise to support the evolution of signal and data processing algorithms.
* Elevate the reputation and impact of sonar research within Maritime Mission Systems, positioning the team as a centre of excellence in advanced underwater sensing and signal intelligence.
Qualifications and Skills
* Master’s, PhD or MPhil in maths, statistics, physics, engineering or computing. MSc/MMat with first class or substantial algorithm development experience will also be considered.
* Background in statistical or stochastic processes is a big plus.
* Problem‑solving ability with a track record of tackling tough challenges alone or in a team.
* Comfortable with Matlab and proficiency in Word and PowerPoint; bonus points for C/C++ experience and object‑oriented programming.
* Demonstrated technical writing and presentation skills – reports, papers, seminars, conferences, etc.
* Familiarity with UK in‑service sonar systems and maritime capabilities is desirable but not required.
* Open to applicants from all backgrounds, including those outside the defence or maritime sectors.
Benefits
* Pension match like‑for‑like up to 7% of annual base salary.
* Life Assurance 2× base salary minimum (8× if part of the pension scheme).
* Income Protection 50% of salary, less state benefits for 5 years.
* Annual leave 201 hours, bank holidays, plus one company day.
* Private medical insurance – couples cover.
* Half day every Friday, normally finishing around 1:00 pm.
* 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.
Security Clearance
This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without caveats. If you do not already hold SC, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve and maintain SC clearance prior to commencing employment. Depending on MOD approval, a dual national from a non‑ITAR country may be considered.
Equal Opportunities
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. Even if you don’t match every statement above, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world’s most critical challenges.
Apply
Ready to shape the future of maritime innovation? Apply now – we look forward to hearing from you.
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