Australia Hiring 2026: Thales Opens Sonar Factory in Sydney
Australia hiring 2026: Thales has opened a sonar factory in Rydalmere, Western Sydney, set to add dozens of engineering and advanced manufacturing jobs.
AustraliaIn brief
- Thales Australia has opened a 100-metre sonar manufacturing hall at its Acoustics Centre of Excellence in Rydalmere, Western Sydney.
- The company expects dozens of direct engineering and advanced manufacturing jobs over the coming years, plus supplier jobs.
- The site will build towed array sonars for Hunter Class frigates and support Collins Class submarine sonars.
- Thales Australia already employs about 4,500 people at 35 sites.
| Country | Australia |
|---|---|
| Organization | Thales Australia |
| Official source | EuropaWire – Thales opens Western Sydney sonar manufacturing facility ✓ news.europawire.eu |
Defence technology group Thales Australia has opened a new sonar manufacturing facility in Rydalmere, Western Sydney, and expects it to create dozens of engineering and advanced manufacturing jobs over the coming years. The site was opened on 26 October 2026 by Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy, and is a notable Australia hiring 2026 story for engineers and technicians in New South Wales.
About the facility
The new 100-metre manufacturing hall sits within the Thales Australia Acoustics Centre of Excellence. It was paid for jointly by Thales and the Commonwealth Government in a multimillion-dollar investment; the exact figure was not given.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Employer | Thales Australia |
| Location | Rydalmere, Western Sydney, NSW |
| Opened | 26 October 2026 |
| Facility | 100-metre sonar manufacturing and sustainment hall |
| Jobs | Dozens of direct roles over coming years, plus supplier jobs |
| Current Thales workforce in Australia | About 4,500 across 35 sites |
What will be made there
The hall is designed to build sonar systems from start to finish and to service them locally. Products include:
- Towed array sonars for the Royal Australian Navy's Hunter Class frigates
- Sonar systems for Collins Class submarines
- BlueSentry autonomous surveillance systems
- Thin-line arrays for uncrewed surface vessels
Thales plans to supply both the Australian Navy and export customers. Building and maintaining these systems at home also means more long-term sustainment work in Sydney.
Jobs to expect
Thales describes the new roles as engineering and advanced manufacturing positions. Likely roles include:
- Electronics and acoustic engineers
- Mechanical and systems engineers
- Production technicians and assemblers
- Test and quality engineers
Local suppliers of parts and services are also expected to gain work.
A note on eligibility
Defence work in Australia often requires Australian citizenship and the ability to obtain a Defence security clearance. Read each advert carefully. Some engineering and commercial roles at Thales may have different requirements, but foreign job seekers should not assume visa sponsorship is available for this programme.
How to apply
Thales lists its Australian vacancies on its official global careers site. Search for jobs in Rydalmere or New South Wales, and filter by engineering or manufacturing.
What it means for job seekers
- Engineers with electronics skills are the best fit for this programme.
- Hiring will be gradual. The jobs are expected over several years, so set up job alerts.
- Western Sydney is booming. The new Western Sydney Airport is also set to need thousands of workers.
- Trades apprentices should look at the SEC Academy's 2,000 electrical apprenticeships.
More openings: all Australia jobs
Frequently asked questions
Where is the new Thales sonar factory?
In Rydalmere, Western Sydney, inside the Thales Australia Acoustics Centre of Excellence.
How many jobs will the Thales facility create?
Thales expects dozens of direct engineering and advanced manufacturing jobs over the coming years, plus work for local suppliers.
What will the factory make?
Towed array sonars for Hunter Class frigates, Collins Class submarine sonar systems, BlueSentry autonomous systems and thin-line arrays for uncrewed vessels.
Do Thales defence jobs need security clearance?
Many Australian defence roles require citizenship and a security clearance; check each job advert.
Apply only through the official source.
Open official notice →TheJobSeek never charges for jobs and is not a recruitment agency. If anyone asks you to pay for a job offer or visa in the name of this article, it is a scam.
