Thales

Location: Hengelo, Netherlands

About us:

"The people we all rely on to make the world go around – they rely on Thales." In a world that is increasingly fast-paced, unpredictable, and full of possibilities, they come to us with great ambitions: to make your life better and safer. Our employees, a uniquely diverse mix of expertise, talents, and cultures, develop and deliver exceptional high-tech solutions. Of our 68,000 talented individuals in 54 countries, 2,000 work in the Netherlands. We are one of the largest high-tech employers in the field of safety and security.

We help our customers think smarter and act faster in the fields of transportation, defense, space, aerospace, and cyberspace, to master ever-increasing complexity and every decisive moment along the way. We therefore play a leading role in digital transformation, focusing on artificial intelligence, big data & data analytics, connectivity, mobility, the Internet of Things, and cybersecurity.

In the Netherlands, we have offices in four cities: Huizen, Delft, Eindhoven, and Hengelo (headquarters). Together with an extensive ecosystem of knowledge partners, customers, and suppliers, we work on radars for maritime vessels, cybersecurity solutions, transportation systems, communications equipment for land forces, cryogenic cooling solutions, research and development for radar technology (in collaboration with Delft University of Technology), and research and development for serious gaming (in collaboration with the University of Twente).

The Industrial Engineering Department

The Industrial Engineering department, as an integral part of Thales’ Industrial Competence Center, is dedicated to supporting and optimizing the entire lifecycle of production processes for Thales’ technologically advanced products. With a team of approximately 22 specialized professionals, the department combines deep expertise and forward-thinking approaches to ensure that manufacturing and testing operations meet the highest standards in quality, efficiency, and innovation.

The department is structured around two key roles: Manufacturing Technology Engineers and Test Development Engineers. Manufacturing Technology Engineers focus on developing, industrializing, and continuously improving robust manufacturing processes, including advanced areas such as electronics assembly, precision mechanics, and surface treatment. Test Development Engineers are responsible for the design, implementation, and optimization of effective and reliable testing concepts and systems, ensuring product quality and compliance throughout the production cycle.

The primary goals of the Industrial Engineering department are:

• Process Optimization: Develop, implement, and continually refine manufacturing and test processes to ensure reliability, repeatability, and scalability in production, while reducing costs and lead times.
• Technology Industrialization: Translate designs and prototypes into mature, manufacturable products, employing the latest techniques and technologies for process efficiency and flexibility.
• Quality Assurance: Guarantee the highest levels of product quality and compliance with industry standards by fostering robust process controls, state-of-the-art testing, and continuous improvement practices.
• Supplier & Production Support: Engage closely with both internal and external production partners, offering technical guidance and support to resolve process issues and drive ongoing improvements across the value chain.
• Innovation & Knowledge Sharing: Leverage the collective expertise of the department to introduce innovative solutions, share best practices, and provide technical training and support to the broader organization.

By bridging product design, supplier interface, manufacturing operations, and test development, the Industrial Engineering department plays a vital role in delivering reliable, high-quality solutions to Thales’ customers and in maintaining Thales’ position as a leader in advanced technology markets.

Role Overview:

We are looking for a dedicated Manufacturing Technology Engineer with expertise in surface treatment, whose primary responsibility will be to support, guide, and collaborate with our engineers and first and second tier suppliers. You will play a crucial role in ensuring that Thales designs and requirements meets our supplier capabilities in terms of technical, quality, and environmental requirements for surface treatment processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical guidance and support to Thales engineers and first and second tier suppliers in the implementation, optimization, and control of surface treatment processes (e.g., plating, anodizing, painting, coating, cleaning) for a wide range of metal and composite parts.
• Assess and qualify suppliers’ surface treatment capabilities, ensuring strict adherence to Thales’ specifications and applicable industry standards.
• Conduct technical audits and process reviews at supplier sites, identifying improvement areas and supporting corrective action plans.
• Collaborate with procurement, quality, and engineering teams to resolve supplier process deviations and drive robust root cause analysis.
• Develop and maintain surface treatment process documentation, control plans, and qualification requirements for suppliers.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in supply chain surface treatment technologies, focusing on cost, performance, sustainability, and compliance.
• Support supplier onboarding and process industrialization for new programs and projects.
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices across Thales and its supplier network.

Profile Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in manufacturing or process engineering with a focus on surface treatment, preferably in a supplier-facing, quality, or process qualification role.
• Solid understanding of surface preparation, protective coatings, plating, chemical conversion coatings, and related environmental, safety, and industry standards (such as NADCAP, REACH, etc.).
• Experience in auditing and assessing supplier processes; knowledge of supplier quality assurance is an advantage.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills.
• Readiness to travel to suppliers and production sites if required.
• Analytical mindset and proactive problem-solver, able to work independently and collaboratively.

What We Offer:

• An interesting job within a great team in an international high-tech environment;
• pace and attention for personal development and initiative;
• The opportunity to grow within the organization, for example in technical, management, commercial, or international roles;
• An open and flexible work environment where a good work-life balance is important;
• A pleasant workplace in "The Best Building in the Netherlands" (Public's Choice Award 2015) with our own Starbucks corner;
• Excellent employment conditions, including 40 vacation days per year.
• Opportunity to build strong partnerships with leading suppliers in a high-tech, innovative environment.
• Competitive salary and full benefits package.
• A diverse, inclusive, and teamwork-driven culture.

How to Apply:

If you are passionate about enabling manufacturing excellence through strong supplier collaboration and expert knowledge of surface treatment technologies, we would like to hear from you. Please submit your application (CV and cover letter) through our online job portal.

For any questions about regarding the position or process, you may reach out to our Talent Acquisition Partner Laurence Janssen at laurence.janssen@external.thalesgroup.com.

Thales is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.