Sales Manager - Optronics & Missile Electronics, Air Sector

Location: Reading, 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.

Optronics & Missile Electronics (OME) Sales Manager - Air Sector

Location: Reading (preferred) or Glasgow. While this is a hybrid role, successful candidates will spend regular time on-site to build strong relationships and collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders. We will also consider candidates based elsewhere in the UK who can commit to regular travel and maintaining a strong presence within the team. UK and international travel (approximately 50-60%) is required.

Closing date for applications: Monday 31st August 2026

Shape the Future of Defence Capability

We're looking for a driven and commercially astute Sales Manager to help accelerate the growth of our Optronics & Missile Electronics business within the Air Sector.

This is a high-profile opportunity for an experienced sales professional who thrives on building relationships, identifying opportunities, influencing stakeholders, and winning new business. You'll play a key role in developing strategic partnerships across the defence ecosystem, working closely with major prime contractors, government customers, and international partners.

The Opportunity

As Sales Manager, you'll take ownership of developing and converting a robust pipeline of opportunities across our Air portfolio, with a particular focus on Defensive Aid Systems.

Working alongside senior leaders, product teams and bid functions, you'll identify emerging opportunities, shape winning strategies and drive deals through to successful contract award.

A significant part of the role will involve building and strengthening relationships across the defence community, particularly with major UK and international prime contractors, end users and procurement stakeholders.

This is an opportunity to join a growing business, influence strategy, and make a visible impact on future growth.

What You'll Be Doing

• Developing and executing a growth strategy to deliver sustainable and profitable business growth.
• Building, managing and converting a strong pipeline of defence opportunities.
• Leading customer engagement activities with key stakeholders across industry and government.
• Expanding and leveraging networks within major prime contractors and defence organisations.
• Creating compelling win strategies and leading cross-functional teams through the capture and bid process.
• Working closely with Strategy, Product Line, Marketing and Operational teams to develop innovative customer solutions.
• Representing the business at customer meetings, industry events, exhibitions and conferences.
• Supporting strategic planning, market analysis and long-term growth initiatives.
• Driving a high-performance, delivery-focused culture and supporting colleagues to achieve successful outcomes.

About You

We're looking for an ambitious, proactive and relationship-focused individual who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves to get things done.

You'll be a strong communicator with the credibility to engage at all levels, from operational users through to senior executives and programme decision-makers.

We're particularly interested in candidates who have:

• Experience in sales, business development, capture management or commercial leadership within the defence sector.
• A track record of delivering growth and winning complex, high-value opportunities.
• Strong networks across the defence industry, particularly with major primes, government organisations or key supply chain partners.
• The ability to quickly build relationships, establish credibility and identify new opportunities.
• Excellent commercial and business acumen, with an understanding of how to create value for both customers and the business.
• Experience leading and influencing cross-functional teams to achieve successful outcomes.
• A proactive, resilient and positive mindset, with the drive to overcome challenges and deliver results.
• Strong presentation, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to thrive in a dynamic environment where priorities evolve and opportunities emerge quickly.

Why Join Us?

You'll be joining an experienced, collaborative and ambitious team at a time of significant growth. This role offers the opportunity to influence business strategy, build valuable industry relationships, work on cutting-edge defence technologies and play a key role in securing future programmes for our customers around the world.

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.

For further details of the evidence required to apply for security clearance please follow this link -

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.

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