Test Engineer

As a Test Engineer at Thales in Hengelo, Netherlands, you will contribute to the F126 frigate program for the German Navy by verifying the integrated digital infrastructure and helping deliver robust, secure, and reliable systems.

About the Project

Join Thales’ largest project to date: the F126 frigate program for the German Navy. We’re developing and integrating all onboard subsystems, enabling next-generation warfighting capabilities to counter evolving above-water threats. Our software connects Thales’ advanced radar suite with firing systems, using intelligent algorithms to empower defense operators with split-second decision-making.

About the Job

As a Test Engineer, you’ll play an essential role in ensuring the delivery of robust, secure, and reliable systems. Your primary focus will be on validating and verifying complex software and integrated subsystems, driving quality throughout the development lifecycle. You’ll collaborate closely with developers, architects, and system engineers to safeguard operational excellence. You’ll be working on the verification of the integrated digital infrastructure for the F126 frigate.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and execute manual and automated test cases.
• Analyze requirements to ensure full test coverage and traceability.
• Assist with setting up and maintaining test environments, mainly on RHEL systems.
• Investigate, document, and track defects, working side-by-side with development teams to ensure timely resolutions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of test strategies, tools, and processes.
• Participate in reviews of requirements, architecture, and code to ensure quality from the start.
• Optionally, develop or maintain test automation scripts using Python or Java.
• Maintain thorough test documentation for compliance and reporting purposes.

About You

We’re looking for curious and driven test engineers who:

• Are passionate about software quality, eager to explore edge cases, and strive for system integrity.
• Have experience testing complex IT or embedded systems, ideally in high-assurance or safety-critical domains.
• Possess practical experience with Linux (Red Hat Enterprise Linux experience is a plus) environments—a must.
• Demonstrate basic programming/scripting skills—experience with C++, Python or Java is a strong plus.
• Experience with build pipelines is a plus.
• Are methodical, analytical, and detail-oriented in their approach.
• Thrive in collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams, communicating effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Hold an ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (a plus, but not required).
• Security awareness and knowledge of defense or regulated environments are advantageous.
• Infrastructure as Code: Experience with Ansible, certification or demonstratable knowledge is a plus.

You also hold a bachelor or master degree in computer science, IT service management or comparable. We expect you to possess fluent English communication skills, both written and verbal.

What’s in It for You?

• An exciting opportunity in a fast-paced, innovative environment impacting international defense.
• Hybrid work flexibility and support for your personal and professional development.
• Competitive salary, generous PTO (40 days), and a comprehensive benefits package.
• Collaboration with experts representing diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Opportunities for career progression in technical, commercial, or international roles.

Security Requirements

In lijn met de basisbeveiligingsvereisten van Thales vragen wij kandidaten mogelijk om bewijs omtrent identiteit, werkvergunning en arbeids- plus opleidingsgeschiedenis. Sommige vacatures vereisen ook een security clearance die verdere informatie vereist. Voor meer informatie over wat er nodig is voor bepaalde security clearance, raadpleeg dan de General Intelligence and Security Service.

“Bij Thales krijg ik alle kansen en de ruimte om mijzelf verder te ontwikkelen, en dat als onderdeel van allerlei gave processen en projecten binnen de organisatie!”

Anoek Trainee

“Wat het voor mij aantrekkelijk maakt om hier te werken, is de diversiteit in opdrachten en het werken in verschillende teams met diverse disciplines. Zo blijf je jezelf ontwikkelen binnen het cyberdomein.”

Maurits Cyber Engineer