Location: Reading, United KingdomThales people architect identity management and data protection solutions at the heart of digital security. Business and governments rely on us to bring trust to the billons of digital interactions they have with people. Our technologies and services help banks exchange funds, people cross borders, energy become smarter and much more. More than 30,000 organizations already rely on us to verify the identities of people and things, grant access to digital services, analyze vast quantities of information and encrypt data to make the connected world more secure.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.
Solution Architect
Location: Reading, full-time hybrid working with 3 days in the office
Looking to be part of a dynamic global team impacting millions daily for a safer, better world? Join us!
What the role has to offer
1. Opportunity to drive impactful projects alongside high-profile global clients across a dynamic and diverse portfolio spanning finance and retail organisations
2. Work with a worldwide team where your career development and progression will be supported
Our Opportunity
Reporting to the Cybersecurity & Digital Identity Manager, the Solution Architect will play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between business requirements and technological implementation, ensuring that our systems and applications are scalable, secure, and aligned with our long-term vision and support hybrid work from our Reading office.
We are seeking candidates who enjoy working autonomously with proven experience in the cyber and digital space who have delivered innovative solutions, services, and products to a diverse range of customers to help them achieve their critical missions securely and effectively. Applicants can include experienced software engineers, senior software engineers, and CIAM Solution Architects.
Building a Future, we can all trust.
Cybersecurity and Digital Identity (CDI) - from secure software to biometrics and encryption, CDI GBU technologies and services enable businesses and governments to authenticate identities and protect data, so they stay safe and enable services in personal devices, connected objects, the cloud and in between. Cyber Security Products (CSP) business line is helping the most trusted companies and organisations around the world protect critical applications, sensitive data, and identities anywhere at scale. Through our innovative services and integrated platforms, Thales helps customers achieve better visibility of risks, defend against cyber threats, close compliance gaps, and deliver trusted digital experiences for billions of consumers every day. In Europe, Consumer Identity & Access Management (CIAM) is a booming market.
External
What we offer you
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package designed to support our employees’ wellbeing and professional growth, which includes:
3. Attractive CDI Sales Commission Plan
4. Pension – match like-for-like up to 7% of annual base salary
5. Life Assurance – 2 x base salary minimum (8 x salary if part of the pension scheme)
6. Income Protection – 50% of salary less state benefits for 5 years
7. Annual Leave – 201 hours, bank holidays, plus 1 company day
8. Private Medical Insurance - Couples cover
9. Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 1:00pm
10. 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
11. 24 hours paid leave for volunteering activities
12. Access to flexible benefits and discounts – dental insurance, buying & selling annual leave, cycle to work, and many more
Internal
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.
Flexibility
Your health and well-being matter 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.
Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity, and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.
Key Responsibilities and Tasks
13. Develop comprehensive cybersecurity test plans to ensure robust coverage
14. Enforce Information Systems Security Policies for projects, products, services, and customers
15. Provide tools and resources to implement and maintain security requirements
16. Manage vulnerabilities and risks affecting customers
17. Detect, analyse, and qualify security incidents and threats; identify sources and block access
18. Conduct security assessments of cryptography implementations in specific contexts
19. Support drafting evaluation files for Thales’ equipment or systems for regulatory or approved body reviews
20. Assist customers in Operational Technology security, including asset discovery, threat guidance, and compliance monitoring
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.
21. Proven relevant experience in a similar role and degree and/ or Masters degree or equivalent in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field specializing in Cryptology, Control Systems, or Cybersecurity
22. Strong expertise in data analysis, cybersecurity, programming languages, and IT systems
23. Solid knowledge of information security standards (UN-R155, UN-R156, ISO 21434, ISO 27001, ISO 27005) and legal aspects of IT security
24. Proven experience in cybersecurity risk analysis and providing technical environment recommendations
25. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and customer-focused skills with ability to explain security procedures clearly
26. Collaborative team player with diplomacy, listening, and persuasion skills to ensure compliance with security measures
27. Meticulous, detail-oriented, and continuously updated on emerging risks and countermeasures
28. Comprehensive architectural skills across networking, APIs (XML/JSON/REST/SOAP), enterprise systems (ESB/CRM/OMS), modelling (ArchiMate, BPMN), containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), programming (Java/Python/JavaScript/HTML), and cloud platforms (AWS)
Join us and play a key role in driving impactful digital transformation and cybersecurity excellence!
Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)
29. In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, successful 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.
30. The BPSS is the recognised standard for the pre-employment screening of individuals with access to government assets. Responsibility for completing the BPSS sits with the employing authority. It is not a formal security clearance, but its rigorous and consistent application underpins the national security vetting process at CTC, Level 1B, SC and DV.
31. In addition to BPSS, Thales may conduct further checks (for example health or social media) as part of our recruitment process to meet our independent risk thresholds.
For further information on BPSS go to Government Baseline Personnel Security Standard
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!