Listing / Aerospace & Defense

Thales

Thales is a French multinational technology leader in aerospace, defence, security, transportation and digital innovation, providing advanced systems and solutions in over 68 countries.

Install

You might also like...

Available in:

Throughout the year

Summer

Winter

1 Popular internship programs at Thales

Thales provides structured internship opportunities that immerse students in high-impact projects across aerospace, defense, digital identity, cybersecurity, and space. Interns are not passive observers, but active contributors to technologies that shape secure communications, smarter transportation, and safer skies. Each program is designed to combine technical learning, mentorship, and exposure to global projects.

1.1 Engineering & R&D Internship

This program is the backbone of Thales’s talent pipeline. Interns get involved in designing, prototyping, and testing systems that often have no margin for error, such as avionics systems, radars, sonar, and secure communications. Day-to-day tasks may include building simulation environments, running computational models, and conducting performance analysis of subsystems. Interns learn not only how components are engineered, but also how they integrate into aircraft, satellites, or defense platforms. Mentorship is central, with senior engineers guiding interns in system design reviews, technical problem-solving, and validation exercises.

1.2 Cybersecurity Internship

Given Thales’s role in protecting critical infrastructure, its cybersecurity internships are highly immersive. Interns step into the mindset of both defender and attacker, learning penetration testing, digital forensics, and secure-by-design coding. They may help design network defense systems, audit encryption implementations, or simulate adversarial attacks on transport and defense infrastructure. Real deliverables include risk assessments, secure system recommendations, and policy compliance reports. Interns are exposed to international cyber regulations like GDPR and ISO 27001, giving them industry-ready compliance knowledge.

1.3 Artificial Intelligence & Data Internship

AI is transforming aerospace and defense, and this program puts interns in the middle of that revolution. Interns work with big data collected from satellites, aircraft, or transportation systems. They may create algorithms that predict when an aircraft engine part will fail, or train neural networks to identify patterns in satellite imagery for defense surveillance. Tasks include cleaning large datasets, tuning machine learning models, and producing dashboards for decision-makers.

1.4 Software Engineering Internship

This program is ideal for students with a passion for high-stakes coding. Interns are embedded in agile development teams working on projects like avionics flight management systems, rail traffic optimization software, or secure digital identity platforms. They experience the full software development lifecycle, from requirements gathering to coding, integration, and testing. Interns write real code that may later run in aircraft cockpits or satellite ground stations. They also learn safety certification standards such as DO-178C, which govern software in aviation. This ensures they leave with skills far beyond classroom projects.

1.5 Systems Engineering Internship

Systems engineering is about seeing the bigger picture, and interns here learn how to manage complexity. Instead of focusing on a single component, they see how subsystems connect in multi-billion euro projects. Their responsibilities include requirement traceability, architecture modeling, and verification planning. They may attend cross-functional meetings, where engineers from electronics, software, and mechanics debate trade-offs. Interns often contribute to integration testing, helping confirm that the whole system works as intended. This program is especially valuable for students who want to learn how large organizations like Thales orchestrate projects spanning countries and disciplines.

1.6 Hardware & Electronics Internship

Interns in this program roll up their sleeves to work on the tangible building blocks of Thales technologies. They may design printed circuit boards, test the performance of avionics sensors, or validate the durability of electronics exposed to extreme temperatures in space. Using simulation tools and lab equipment, interns measure electrical signals, debug circuits, and contribute to prototype development. A typical project could involve optimizing radar antenna electronics or designing low-power systems for satellites.

1.7 Business & Project Management Internship

For students from management, economics, or non-engineering backgrounds, this program shows how massive aerospace and defense projects are delivered. Interns may analyze market trends for defense technology, draft client proposals, or assist in project scheduling and resource allocation. They are exposed to contract management, stakeholder communications, and financial reporting. A key learning is understanding how strategic planning connects with engineering realities. Interns also see first-hand how Thales coordinates with governments, international partners, and private clients to deliver large-scale solutions.

1.8 Space & Satellite Internship

This program captures the imagination of interns who want to work in the fast-growing space sector. Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture, gives interns exposure to satellite design, mission planning, and space communication technologies. Tasks range from testing payload subsystems, analyzing orbital mechanics, to writing software for satellite ground stations. Interns might help optimize Earth observation data for climate studies or develop secure communication systems for defense satellites.

1.9 CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship Program

Thales partners with the CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship Program in Australia to create meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students. This program is designed to provide paid work experience, ongoing mentorship, and structured professional development across multiple business areas, from engineering and project management to corporate functions. Interns are paired with dedicated mentors who guide them throughout their journey, ensuring they not only contribute to real Thales projects but also build the skills and confidence needed for long-term career success.

2 Popular roles for interns at Thales

1. Systems Engineering Intern: Interns support requirement analysis, build architecture models, and assist with integration and validation across aerospace, defense, and transportation projects. They gain exposure to system lifecycle management and learn how large-scale engineering solutions are coordinated to meet safety and reliability standards.

2. Hardware Design Intern: Interns design and test electronic components such as PCBs and sensors, often contributing to avionics, radar, or satellite hardware. They work hands-on in labs to debug circuits, validate performance, and ensure hardware meets the rigorous demands of real-world environments.

3. Software Engineer Intern: Interns develop and test mission-critical software, from embedded systems used in aircraft to secure cloud applications for digital identity. They take part in coding, debugging, and agile development processes while adhering to strict quality and safety regulations.

4. Cybersecurity Intern: Interns participate in defending critical systems against threats by running penetration tests, auditing networks, and helping design secure architectures. They learn to balance technical solutions with compliance standards, contributing directly to Thales’s cyber defense efforts.

5. AI & Data Intern: Interns work with large datasets to build machine learning models and predictive analytics tools. Projects can involve image recognition for defense, predictive maintenance for aircraft, or optimization algorithms for smart mobility systems.

6. Cloud Engineer Intern: Interns help design and deploy secure cloud infrastructure that supports Thales operations worldwide. They collaborate with engineering teams to manage deployments, optimize performance, and ensure reliability in cloud-based environments.

7. Program Manager Intern: Interns support the planning and execution of large-scale engineering programs by tracking milestones, preparing reports, and coordinating across teams. They gain an understanding of how billion-euro projects are delivered on schedule and within budget.

8. Digital Factory Intern: Interns join Thales’s Digital Factory, an innovation hub that drives digital transformation across the company’s businesses. They work in agile squads with designers, engineers, and data scientists to rapidly prototype digital services and applications. Projects often involve developing user-friendly software for aerospace or defense clients, implementing DevOps practices, or applying AI and big data to optimize operations.

9. Marketing & Communications Intern: Interns assist in shaping Thales’s brand voice by preparing communication materials, supporting outreach campaigns, and engaging with external stakeholders. They experience how storytelling and branding connect with a global technology audience.

Because Thales works on defense and aerospace contracts, many roles (especially in cybersecurity, systems engineering, or space) require security clearances or at least eligibility for them. Interns with clean backgrounds, dual citizenship considerations sorted, or prior exposure to defense projects are more likely to be placed in high-impact teams.

1. What kind of projects do interns work on at Thales Digital Factory?

2. What skills are needed for a cybersecurity internship?

3. What do interns at Sony Music Publishing learn during a cybersecurity internship?