Careers

We are on a mission to reimagine the aircraft cabin experience, designing and delivering inspirational products and services of the highest quality, to realise the expectations of our customers. This starts here on the ground, by supporting and inspiring our colleagues to achieve their full potential. When you join Thompson Aero Seating, you step into a world of development opportunities, in an environment that strives to nurture and reward.

About Us

Thompson Aero Seating is a world leader in airline seating solutions. Combining passion, creativity and engineering integrity, Thompson’s seats are installed upon all major aircraft types from Airbus and Boeing including the A380 and B787 Dreamliner.

Today, under the ownership of AVIC, one of the world’s largest and leading aerospace companies, we are amongst Northern Ireland’s most successful and fastest-growing businesses. We have over 700 staff across four sites, located in the Portadown and Banbridge areas, with full design, engineering, manufacturing and R&D capabilities. With our future growth and expansion plans backed and endorsed by AVIC, the Thompson success story looks well set to continue.

In November 2022, we announced plans for the creation of a world-class Dynamic Test Facility (DTF) in Northern Ireland. This is a £7.5 million investment in a facility that will catapult Thompson into a new era of development and innovation. The DTF will give us enhanced capability to certify new products for airworthiness and to carry out research and development work.

Speculative

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Why work with us?

We are invested in your well-being.

Having happy, healthy workers is the key to our long term success. We aim to create a safe and supportive culture where employees look after each other. Our health-care plan provides you with tools and information to help you proactively manage your health and wellbeing, including GP Anytime prescriptions, a 24/7 counselling and support helpline and online health assessments. Whether it’s yoga sessions at your desk, or having complimentary fresh fruit delivered monthly to your office, we encourage our employees to focus on their wellbeing.

Your development plan is our growth plan

Here at Thompson Aero Seating, we plan for the long-term. We know that our growth is dependent on your growth, which is why last year alone there were 65 internal promotions and transfers and over 12,000 hours of training completed in-house. Our training, learning and development team is in place to make sure that you are fully aware of your opportunities for self-development, through our employee development programme. At the same time, our staff forum aims to make Thompson a more engaging working environment. Together with financially supported further education, there’s a plan for you at Thompson Aero Seating.

We have a common vision

We are part of one the world’s largest aerospace companies, but we have not forgotten our roots. We began this journey in 2011; one great idea and a handful of eager engineers with a shared creative vision. We have gained more than a few new recruits in that time, and a lot more factory floor space, but our passion for our products and flair for innovation have remained. We are proud to say that we have nurtured that creativity and grown the business to rank in the top ten companies in our industry, worldwide, and there’s more to come!

Benefits

Health care

Getactive ABC membership

33 days’ annual leave

Employee development programme

Supported further education

Pension

Life assurance

Employee referral programme

Perks retail discount

Counselling support

Flexible start and finish times

Long-service Awards

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

37.5 hour working week

Additional pension

Life at Thompson

Testimonials

Read about life at Thompson in the words of our employees

“I studied BSc Accounts 8Pathways) at Ulster University, Jordanstown 2018-2012. I joined TAS in December 2021. I saw TAS as a fantastic opportunity to start my career, working in one of the world’s largest aero seating companies. I knew joining TAS would be a fantastic way to gain the skills needed to further my career within finance and gaining invaluable knowledge from my professionals who have many years of experience working in financial roles. I aim to complete my ACCA exams with TAS sponsoring me to complete them and after I complete my chartered exams it will open a world of opportunities for me in my career and I’m excited to take them on.”
Cormac Smyth, Graduate at Thompson Aero Seating
“My journey at TAS started through the Higher-Level Apprenticeship programme in 2016. I was rotated into different engineering departments to better understand the company’s products and learn relevant procedures. I was part of a group that where the first ever to complete the Mechatronic foundation degree in NI. TAS was extremely accommodating and successful in hosting this qualification, implementing quality industry experience and learning which went hand in hand, improving our education along the way.

I’ve recently completed my bachelor’s degree and second company qualification. Working towards being fully qualified with over 6 year’s industry experience. I could not have possibly imagined after I finished my A-Levels I’d be in the fortunate position I am in today. The company has not only expanded and evolved as a global aviation seating competitor but has given me especially and many others the best environment to learn, grown and excel – not only as an engineer but as professionals and individuals. ”
William McCartan, Graduate at Thompson Aero Seating