Algorithms Team Leader

Location: Templecombe, United Kingdom

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.

Algorithms Team Leader
Location: Templecombe, with up to 5-10% approx. travel
Other: permanent, full-time, onsite working with up to 4.5 days in the office

Join us as we push the boundaries of underwater autonomy and sensing, leading a team that transforms complex challenges into breakthrough algorithmic solutions!

What the role has to offer

• Cutting‑edge underwater innovation — work at the forefront of sonar, sensing, and autonomous underwater‑system algorithms that shape future maritime capability

• High‑impact technical leadership — lead a talented team driving core technologies, IP creation, and strategic R&D that directly influence product roadmaps

• Extensive external collaboration — engage with leading academic groups, industrial partners, and cross‑business units to accelerate innovation and broaden technical reach

Our Opportunity

Looking to make waves in cutting-edge maritime technology? This is your chance to lead a fast-moving, forward-thinking team at the forefront of UK sonar research and data exploitation. General Sonar Studies (GSS) operates as a post-doc research group within Thales UK's Defence Mission Systems - focused on delivering breakthrough innovations for Royal Navy underwater platforms, especially in support of Mine Counter Measures (MCM) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). We’re tackling some of the toughest challenges in defence, and we do it through deep collaboration - both within Thales and with external partners.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Team Leader to oversee our Algorithms team within the Thales Underwater Systems division in Templecombe. The successful candidate will lead the development, optimization, and deployment of advanced algorithms for underwater applications such as sonar signal processing, underwater navigation, target detection, and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Due to the classified nature of the work, this opportunity is a full-time role with onsite working only - remote work is not available.

Building a Future, we can all trust.

Defence Mission Systems (DMS) supplies products, solutions and services in the field of electronic combat systems, airborne surveillance and reconnaissance systems, above water and under water combat systems. The Underwater Systems Business Line (UWS BL) specializes in underwater systems, focusing on sonars for submarines, surface vessels, helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft; mine countermeasures systems; underwater security; and support services. With over 50 years of experience in undersea warfare, UWS is a global leader and key exporter of sonars and related systems for navies. The BL offers a diverse range of products for submarines, surface vessels, mine-countermeasures vessels, unmanned vehicles, and aircraft.

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

• Lead and manage a team of algorithm engineers and researchers advancing underwater‑system capabilities

• Drive development of advanced algorithms for sonar interpretation, communications, classification, signal processing, and sensor fusion

• Work with hardware, software, and systems teams to integrate algorithms into underwater platforms

• Define goals, milestones, and deliverables to ensure timely, high‑quality outcomes

• Mentor team members and act as a role model for technical excellence and professional conduct

• Assess and integrate technologies such as ML, AI, and quantum methods into the algorithm development process

• Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure alignment with customer needs and mission objectives

• Prepare concise technical documentation, reports, and presentations

• Support algorithm testing, validation, and troubleshooting in simulated and real environments

• Build relationships with academic partners, industry collaborators, UWS BL, TRT, and other external groups

• Generate, protect, and manage intellectual property

• Propose and deliver Strategic Fundamental R&D projects

• Maintain awareness of product‑line roadmaps and TISP to ensure alignment with long‑term strategy

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.

• Proven completion of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related field; a PhD is a plus

• Demonstrated experience developing algorithms for underwater systems or related domains such as sonar, radar, or signal processing

• Proven ability to lead and manage high‑performing technical teams

• Acquired strong expertise in signal processing, statistical analysis, pattern recognition, and optimization techniques

• Proven capability in MATLAB, Python, C++, or similar scientific programming languages

• Demonstrated familiarity with machine‑learning frameworks and modern data‑analysis tools

• Proven ability to solve complex technical problems and communicate effectively within multidisciplinary teams

• Demonstrated success operating in fast‑paced, dynamic environments while managing multiple priorities

• Acquired experience with underwater sensor technologies and platforms (e.g., AUVs, ROVs) is an advantage

If you’re ready to shape the next generation of underwater technology, apply now and bring your expertise to a mission with real impact!

UKEO (UK Eyes Only)

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a non-ITAR country may be considered.

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.

#LI-VG1

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!