System Integration and Test Manager

Primary Purpose of Role

The primary purpose of this position is to define and implement the System Integration and Test, Verification and Validation (ie Systems IVVQ)/ITEA strategy, management and tasks for key business projects across a range of domains.

As a System Integration, Verification, Validation and Qualification Manager (IVVQM) and member of the Central Systems Engineering Team in Thales UK, you will focus on the successful delivery of a range of solutions to a wide variety of customers in our Civil and Military domains. This could include:

• Supporting less experienced IVVQ Managers in their planning and execution of IVVQ/ITEA activities
• Acting as the IVVQ Manager on specific projects on short secondments or extended loan
• Supporting one or more projects, in a range of domains encompassing Land, Sea and Air products

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

You will be accountable to the UK Head of IVVQ (Discipline & Capability) Manager and/or the Engineering Delivery Manager (EDM) for the project/program being supported.

As an expert in IVVQ and ITEA, you will have a wide range of responsibilities depending on the specific tasks in hand. They cannot be enumerated here but may typically include the following:

• Lead the System Integration, Verification, Validation activities on behalf of Thales for Complex programmes, which may also include working with the customer
• Prepare the IVVQA plan, work and System IVV organisational breakdown structure and schedule, for the IVVQA activities
• Lead and manage the System IVV team to conduct System IVV to schedule
• Liaison with project/bid managers, requirements lead and the customer - to ensure IVVQ/ITEA is an integral part of the planning process, at the start of the lifecycle
• Prepare System Integration Verification Validation & Qualification activities
• Define IVVQ strategy, establish requirements related to IVVQ activities and perform associated estimates and schedule
• Specify and manage the acquisition of all test equipment, including any special to type test equipment
• Specify, choose and deploy (in-line with recommendations by the Head of IVVQ Discipline & Capability) the methodologies tools/platforms necessary to conduct IVVQ and acceptance activities
• Propose IVVQ scenarios and manage their implementation, as necessary
• Plan, coordinate and manage all System IVVQ activities for the assigned programme (to include, but not necessarily limited to): Production of System-Rigs/Test-Benches; System Integration Checks; System Verification Tests and their (prioritised) Execution and result recording
• Establish priorities and identify (and report) on associated risks
• Perform or organize the reviewing of suppliers test plans and the testing on the manufacturer’s site, or at the customer’s premises or, at an appropriate Environmental Test Facility
• Support and potentially manage trials team
• Analyse results and produce technical reports
• Work in a multi-discipline team
• Provide guidance and support to a number of development projects
• Lead and produce/or oversee the creation, maintenance and execution of product IVVQ plans – maximising the planned use of automated test methods to increase efficiency, wherever possible
• Review of internally and externally generated Technical Artefacts (Requirements Specifications, ICDs, Design Documentation and Architecture Documents), from an IVVQ perspective
• Operationally lead the Systems IVVQ Engineering Team and ensure delivery of all IVVQ work products to time, cost, and quality
• Establish and maintain appropriate IVVQ metrics to support progress reporting and decision making
• Organise and lead defect sentencing ensuring correct severity and priority of issues
• Lead and coordinate all governance reviews associated with the IVVQ phase of the system development lifecycle
• Support customer meetings, and lead on system demonstrations with key stakeholders and customers
• Lead the collation of evidence to support population of the system VVRM, in support of system Validation, Acceptance and Certification

Experience and Skills

• Planning and execution of a complex System IVVQA campaign
• Experience of leading and managing System IVV teams
• Ability to work in multifunction multicultural teams
• Good knowledge of Systems Engineering, Design, Verification and Validation and of complex Systems and sub-systems in Land, Sea and Air domains
• A proven record of working on all aspects of Systems IVVQ and working in a Systems IVV environment
• Experience of generating and executing tests cases to verify systems
• Experience of RCA of problems observed
• Be self-motivated and capable of working alone and within teams
• Have good written and oral communication skills to allow effective communication with peers, and both technical and non-technical customers
• Methodical and organized approach
• Sharp intellect with a challenging approach and a “can do attitude”
• Good understanding of engineering process and measures
• Able to influence a wide range of people to get the work done – needs to be highly effective in a matrix based organisation – a good team player
• Experience of using associated Test equipment for System IVV
• Ideally, experience of Automated System testing tools

This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.