Naval Architect Co-op

Location: Victoria - 905 Ellery, Canada

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.

Naval Architect Intern - Fall 2026 & Winter 2027 - Hybrid - Full-Time - 4-12 months

Victoria, BC

Halifax, NS

Ottawa, ON

Position Summary

Thales Canada is looking for a Naval Architect student for the Fall 2026 & Winter 2027 semesters to support its Non-Combatant In-Service Support Programs for the Royal Canadian Navy in Victoria, BC , Halifax, NS & Ottawa, ON .

Working closely with the Naval Architects, Engineers, Life Cycle & Materiel Managers (LCMMs), and other technical specialists in the Thales LCMM & Engineering Team, the Naval Architect Student provides technical support to various ships and assets of the Royal Canadian Navy. In this role, the individual will gain valuable working experience with troubleshooting technical issues with ship systems, working with ships technical data package, and other LCMM activities.

Essential Functions

The Naval Architect Student will report to the MWAV Systems Engineering Manager and support the Thales Engineering staff on various technical activities, including but not limited to:

• Technical investigation into problems associated with ships equipment and/or system malfunction, including failure analysis and solution development;
• Preparing and reviewing technical documentation and supporting baseline documentation updates;
• Technical data package validation activities including support to physical configuration audits of ship systems and equipment;
• Support the preparation and updating of design change documentation including manufacturing drawings, installation instructions and test and trials documentation;
• Prepare documented work scopes, suitable for the solicitation of quotations from external resources such as Original Equipment Manufacturers, suppliers, testing facilities or specialist service providers;
• Conduct detailed naval architecture tasks, including:
  • Requirements analysis;
  • Material compatibility investigation;
  • Research and review of equipment/system maintenance documentation;
  • Failure analysis;
  • Risk and hazard assessments;
  • Weight & moment assessments;
  • Support management of lifting appliance certification and testing; and
  • Assure compliance with hull related Classification Society, Naval Ship Code and Polar Code requirements

Minimum Requirements

Education:

• Student enrolled in a Bachelor of Engineering Program in Canadian University, with a focus in Naval Architecture.

Language:

• English (Essential)

Preferred Qualifications

Skills and Abilities:

• Prior experience with the preparation of technical reports
• Microsoft Office Suite

Education:

• Senior Student in Naval Architectural Engineering preferred, though interested junior students will also be considered.

Physical Demands

• Predominantly office work but if located in Halifax or Victoria, the individual may be required to work in dockyards and onboard Naval ships
• May be required to undertake inspections in machinery spaces of Naval ships involving bending and twisting
• Access to personal vehicle will be required to travel to/from work site.

The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between Total Target Cash (TTC) 55,000.00 - 65,000.00 CAD Annual.

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including – but not limited to – the employee’s career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company’s annual salary budget, the customer’s program requirements, and the company’s internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

We use artificial intelligence–enabled tools as part of our recruitment process to support activities such as candidate discovery, résumé matching, and interview scheduling. These tools may help screen and assess applications and recommend potential matches based on the requirements within the job description.  All hiring decisions, including candidate evaluation, selection, and disposition, are made by human recruiters. Artificial intelligence does not make hiring decisions on our behalf.

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 24 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following: 

• Company paid Extended Health, Dental, HSA, Life, AD&D, Short-term Disability, Cancer Care Program, travel insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and Well-Being program.

• Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP, DCPP, TFSA) with a company contribution and a match to a DCPP, with no vesting period.

• Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave. 

• Voluntary Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Long-Term Disability.

• Employee Discounts on home, auto, and gym membership.

Thales is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Thales is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the interview process. Applicants selected for an interview who require accommodation are asked to advise accordingly upon the invitation for an interview. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of providing an accessible candidate experience.

This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List, the Canadian Controlled Goods Program, the Canadian Industrial Security Program, the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for such access including eligibility to the Canadian Controlled Goods Program and able to obtain a Canadian NATO Secret clearance.