Systems Engineering Manager (Naval): Thales

Location: Crawley, United Kingdom

Thales people architect solutions at the heart of the defence-security continuum. Interoperable and secure information and telecommunications systems for defence, security, and civil operators, are based upon innovative use of radiocommunications, networks, and cybersecurity. We are ground breaking new digital technologies such as 4G mobile communications, cryptography, cloud computing and big data for use in physical protection systems, and critical information systems.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

We have a unique opportunity for a Systems Engineering Manager (no team handling) to manage and be responsible for a work package in our Naval portfolio programmes at our Crawley site. (3 days on site)

It will involve working on a challenging programme to bring new technology to our major UK & overseas customer base. It will include working across the complete engineering lifecycle phases of the programme and include the prospect of working collaboratively with the SIX senior leadership team.

Key responsibilities:

• To identify and manage engineering activities through agile methods on a fast paced programme to support business growth opportunities. Working closely with all areas of the team including SW, HW, IVVQ and Systems to manage team priorities and workload.
• Ownership of technical delivery and the SEMP; addressing technical schedules, metrics, risks and assumptions.
• Working alongside our capability leadership team to agree and secure technical resource against the technical schedule resource profile.
• Working alongside the Project Manager to understand technical impacts and change that will impact cost or schedule, including support with managing risks, contingency draw down and schedule change.
• Working alongside the Programme Design Authority to provide technical leadership across the programme and being the exemplar for team behaviours and practices.
• Provision of work package estimates that balance quality, compliance and cost – subsequently discharge work packages to time, quality and cost.

Required Skills, experience and attributes:

• A proven track record of leading a team of engineers in the successful delivery of a programme.
• Experience in collaboration and co-operative techniques across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Knowledge and experience of Systems Engineering lifecycle activities including PDR, CDR, PRR and TRR through the design and development phases into production, integration, verification, validation and acceptance.
• Experience of working with customers, presenting technical solutions or chairing design reviews as required.
• Accountable and committed to excellence by acting with integrity, accountability and professionalism.
• Willingness to travel to Thales sites (predominantly Crawley & Green Park, Reading), supplier and customer locations (various).

Preferred Skills, experience and attributes:

• Experience in setting up strong engineering governance and team working practices.
• Experience managing engineering work packages within JIRA.
• A background in communications security.
• Knowledge and experience of Naval Communications & transverse characteristics and qualification activities including the operational environment (temperature, humidity, shock, vibration, EMC, TEMPEST), safety, security, human factors, ILS etc.
• Experience of managing senior stakeholders both internal and external to the business.

UKEO British (UK Eyes Only British)

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a sole British National from birth and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

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