Thales to Recruit More Than 9,000 Worldwide Including 450 in India in 2026

Thales plans to recruit more than 9,000 employees worldwide in 2026. In India, it will recruit 450 people, spanning specialised roles in hardware, software and systems domains at its Engineering Competence Centres in Bengaluru and Noida and other functions.

Over the past five years, Thales has recruited at least 8,000 people per year to support the growth dynamics of its three business sectors. Strengthening the diversity of teams remains a priority for the Group. In 2025, women accounted for 33 per cent of all recruitments in India.

In addition to the 9,000 external recruitments globally, and thanks to the variety of Thales’ three business sectors, roles and geographies, 3,500 employees will benefit from internal mobility. Additionally, the Group’s ‘Learning Company’ approach, with more than 35 internal academies, will enable employees to develop their skills, thereby maintaining Thales' expertise at the highest level worldwide.

Around 40 per cent of new arrivals will be assigned to engineering (software and systems engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data) and 25 per cent to industry (technician, operator and engineer positions) worldwide.

According to Thales’ press release, the company is dedicated to fostering the careers of young people and places strong emphasis on welcoming apprentices and interns, particularly in France, where it will support 1,700 trainees and 1,600 apprentices from Bac+2 to Bac+5, as well as 1,000 third-year and 500 second-year students in 2026. For these young people, these opportunities serve as a stepping stone to future employment.

In India, Thales has recently onboarded over 120 talented engineering interns at its Engineering Competence Centres in Noida and Bengaluru, further reflecting its commitment to nurturing future-ready talent, strengthening our collaboration with academia and contributing to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.

Through its ‘Vocation Makers’ programme, Thales is actively engaging with young people in the age group of six to 18 to spark their interest in science and technology. This is achieved through site visits and educational presentations in schools. In 2025, the Group met with 250,000 students worldwide, ranging from primary to high school levels.

Thales’ STEM outreach in India also includes dedicated programmes such as an initiative designed for our employees' children and their wider social circles, to inspire the next generation to choose careers in science and technology.

Said CEO of Thales, Patrice Caine, “We take great pride in seeing Thales’ appeal grow stronger year after year. The talented individuals who join us are driven by a desire to contribute to the development of sovereign, innovative, and sustainable solutions that the world needs more than ever. Together, we are shaping the future by inspiring an increasing number of young people, especially young women, to pursue careers in science and technology.”