Thales to Hire 9,000 New Employees in 2026

Thales Announces 9,000 Global Hires in 2026 — A Strong Signal for the Defense and Tech Sectors

French technology and defense giant Thales has announced an ambitious recruitment plan for 2026: over 9,000 new hires worldwide, with 3,300 positions based in France. The growth highlights the company’s expanding influence across key industries — defense, aerospace, cybersecurity, and advanced digital solutions.

A Growing Workforce Driving Innovation

Thales continues its upward trend after a robust 2025, when it surpassed its goal of 8,000 hires with 8,800 new employees globally. Currently boasting nearly 83,000 employees, including over 42,000 in France, Thales remains one of Europe’s top employers in high-tech and defense.

In 2025 alone, the company received over 1.4 million job applications, a clear indicator of its global appeal among skilled engineers and technology professionals.

“We are advancing in all our business lines — defense, aerospace, cybersecurity, and digital,” said Clément de Villepin, Thales’ Chief Human Resources Officer.

Technical and Engineering Talent in High Demand

Thales’ 2026 hiring campaign is heavily focused on technical and engineering roles that support innovation in evolving security and aerospace markets.

Key recruitment areas include:

Software and Systems Engineering
Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence
Data Science and Analytics
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Electronic Systems and Embedded Technologies

Around 40% of new recruits will join engineering teams, while a quarter will fill industrial positions such as technicians, operators, and manufacturing engineers.
More than half of all new roles will be tied to defense-related programs, a sector enjoying steady growth worldwide.

Recruitment Hotspots in France

France remains at the heart of Thales’ operations. The company plans to distribute 3,300 new hires across several regions:

Île-de-France (1,630 jobs) – head office, R&D, and digital innovation
Brittany (290 jobs) – maritime and radar systems
Nouvelle-Aquitaine (280 jobs) – aerospace and avionics
Centre-Val de Loire (220 jobs) – optics and defense systems
Pays de la Loire (130 jobs) – industrial production

Defense Industry: A Booming Global Sector

Thales’ expansion plan aligns with Europe’s rapidly growing defense industry. In recent years, EU defense budgets have surged by over 30% (2021–2024), reaching €326 billion. The European Commission’s target to train 600,000 professionals for defense industries by 2030 further underscores long-term momentum.

Besides external recruitment, Thales will support 3,500 internal transfers and welcome 3,300 interns and apprentices to France-based operations — strengthening its reputation as a talent incubator.

“The people who join us share a powerful purpose: to develop sovereign, innovative, and sustainable technologies that the world needs more than ever,” stated Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO of Thales.

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Job Seekers

With unprecedented growth across cybersecurity, AI, aerospace, and defense, engineers, technicians, and digital specialists stand to benefit from a wave of new opportunities in 2026 and beyond.
Thales’ approach reflects broader global trends — talent mobility, digital transformation, and national security innovation.

For candidates eager to work on cutting-edge technologies with real-world impact, 2026 may be one of the best years in a decade to join Thales.