Telecoms Technical Intern – Johannesburg | Smart Cards & SIM | Thales South Africa 2026

Thales, a French multinational technology leader operating across aerospace, defence, digital identity, security, transportation, and space in over 68 countries with 80,000+ employees worldwide, is inviting South African graduates to apply for its Telecoms Technical Intern position at their Johannesburg office.

Thales's Digital Identity & Security division formerly known as Gemalto is a global leader in telecoms smart card products and services, producing SIM cards, eSIMs, and digital identity solutions trusted by the world's largest mobile network operators. Their Johannesburg team serves mobile operators across South Africa and the rest of Africa, managing the full lifecycle of telecom smart card delivery from customer requirements through to implementation, quality assurance, and project management.

As a Telecoms Technical Intern, you will be placed within this fast-paced, globally connected team gaining hands-on exposure to customer requirements implementation, project management, Gemalto delivery processes, and Telecom & Smart Card Industry Standards. The programme includes a 12-month contract comprising work experience, on-the-job training, and a structured NQF Level 5 Project Management learnership that must be completed alongside practical responsibilities.

This is one of the most technically rich and globally relevant graduate programmes available to South African Engineering or IT graduates with an interest in telecommunications and digital identity.

Key Responsibilities

Implement customer requirements for telecom smart card products and services

Support project management activities across the telecoms delivery lifecycle

Understand and efficiently implement Gemalto's internal processes for customer delivery

Understand and apply Telecom and Smart Card Industry Standards in daily work

Ensure quality and timeliness of delivery by managing priorities and coordinating with internal teams

Collaborate with cross-functional teams including logistics, sales, engineering, and quality

Complete the NQF Level 5 Project Management learnership programme requirements alongside workplace experience

Advantageous

Exposure to or knowledge of SIM cards, eSIMs, or digital identity solutions

Basic understanding of project management methodologies

Familiarity with mobile network operations or telecommunications standards

Experience with Linux, scripting, or programming tools

What You Will Gain

12 months of structured, hands-on technical experience within a global digital identity and security leader

Completion of an NQF Level 5 Project Management qualification

Real exposure to telecom smart card implementation, industry standards, and client delivery management

Mentorship from experienced Thales engineers and project managers

Access to Thales's global network of technology professionals across 68 countries

A globally credible brand on your CV — Thales is the world's leading digital identity and security company

• National Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Telecommunications, or a related technical field

• South African citizen between the ages of 18 and 29 years

• Currently unemployed

• Strong analytical and technical problem-solving ability

• Service and results-oriented mindset

• Good written and verbal communication skills in English

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work effectively under pressure

• Self-motivated with strong attention to detail and commitment to quality