System Integration and Test Manager

Job Description
About this role...
As the System Integration & Test Managerand member of the Aeronautical Connectivity Systems (ACS) Engineering Team in the Flight Avionics Connectivity Competence Centre (CCC), you will have the opportunity to be part of a team focused on the development and delivery of products and programmes to a wide variety of customers in the aerospace sector; covering both Civil and Military domains.
This could include:
Supporting the design and delivery of our next generation Tactical Mission Management System
Supporting the design and delivery of our next generation SATCOM Terminal (FlytLINK) for use on the Iridium network
The development of our next generation Secure Intercom and Information System for military fixed and rotary wing platforms (TopSIS-X)
Supporting delivery of the several studies we are undertaking to shape the future of aircraft communication systems
The first intended deployment for this position is to lead the delivery of the IVVQ aspects of a SATCOM product line development (Thales FlytLINK) providing connectivity for airborne platforms through establishing data-links with the Iridium constellation of Low Earth orbit satellites and associated ground infrastructures. The FlytLINK product line is aimed at multiple markets including air transport (civil and military), business aviation and UAVs.
As a People 1st Employer, we are passionate about providing you with opportunities to advance your engineering career and are committed to giving our employees the support they need to reach their professional goals. This includes support in submission of Chartership applications, funding INCOSE and professional (e.g. IET/RAeS) memberships, and access to a wide variety of learning resources through our comprehensive e-Learning Engine. Training courses such as our Let’s Lead Programme (for employees demonstrating leadership potential), coupled with our established mentoring and coaching programmes, offer fantastic opportunities for people committed to professional development to enhance their skill set.
The successful candidate will be someone who…
Is an experienced Systems Engineering Professional, who has worked across the engineering development lifecycle and has previously undertaken a delivery focused leadership role
Has an understanding of Work Package Management for development programmes; including planning, risk & opportunity management, and scheduling
Has an excellent track record of delivering their personal commitments to cost and schedule, with outputs meeting the satisfaction of the customer
Is keen to further develop their leadership skills and demonstrates their potential to effectively manage the performance of a team, including; motivating their team, recognition of good performance, tackling under performance, and supporting the development of staff
Is capable of representing the engineering view of programmes to all stakeholders (internal and external) of the programme, and can communicate complex technical issues or ideas in a manner appropriate for a non-technical audience
Understands the importance of following and continuously developing engineering process, and tracking progress through the use of appropriate engineering metrics
Is a team player with a “can-do” attitude that performs effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment, promotes the values of inclusiveness and diversity, and is an advocate of Thales’ leadership Model: Think Big, Make it Happen, Together
Understands their role within an organisation, how it supports delivery of the engineering vision, and strategy, and can plan or re-plan work accordingly to align with the needs of the business
Key tasks and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to…
To lead on the definition of the core product IVVQ strategy
To lead on the definition of product IVVQ scope of work, and provide detailed estimates and operational plans to deliver against this scope. This will also include supporting any bids for specific customer development programmes as they arise
To lead on the creation, maintenance and execution of product IVVQ plans – maximising the planned use of remote and automated test methods to increase efficiency wherever possible
Review of internally and externally generated Technical Artefacts (Requirements Specifications, ICDs/IDDs, Design Documentation and Architecture Documents) from an IVVQ perspective
To operationally lead the IVVQ Systems 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
To lead and coordinate all governance reviews associated with the IVVQ phase of the product development lifecycle
To lead on the creation and execution of product Integration and Verification Test Requirements and Schedules, including analysis of test results and provision of airworthiness data
To lead on the specification and execution of product Qualification tests
To lead on the creation, review and acceptance of Verification Test Reports
To support customer meetings, and lead on product demonstrations with key stakeholders and customers
To lead the collation of evidence to support population of the product VCRM in support of system certification
Desired knowledge, skills, qualifications and experience
Minimum of a Bachelor Degree (BEng, BSc) in a numerate, scientific or engineering subject or higher education/equivalent training and experience
Excellent communications skills, both verbally and written, with the ability to present and explain technical and complex problems, tailored appropriately for the audience
An understanding of the aerospace domain and avionics systems; specifically communications systems; how they work interrelate and interconnect
Knowledge of operator aspects of avionic systems
Knowledge of aircraft environmental requirements
Understanding of Systems Engineering principles and practise, including lifecycle def
Experience of leading the Integration and Verification testing of complex Systems
Experience of tools including IBM Rational DOORS, JIRA and elements of the Orchestra toolset (e.g. Vivaldi, Mozart, Reqtify)
Experience of interfacing with third party organisations (customers, suppliers, external bodies)
Understanding of certification requirements (including EMC and Environmental)
Familiarity with defence standards, MIL-STDs and civil standards
Previous experience of working with airworthiness organisations (DERA/CAA/FAA)
An ability to work with combinations of technologies, to integrate and verify them in a logical and structured way into a system in order to fully satisfy a Customer’s requirement
PC Literate: Windows, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio
About the Aeronautical Connectivity Systems Department in Flight Avionics (FLX)
Our purpose is to provide highly competent and disciplined System Engineering expertise to the FLX Business; thereby contributing to the safe and secure delivery of our avionic products and programmes in line with the cost, timescale and quality requirements of our customers and stakeholders.
The Work Environment
At Thales, we believe in flexible SMART working and have the expectation that this role will be delivered through a combination of remote and office based collaborative working. This role is based at our Crawley site.
Flight Avionics is predominantly based at the largest Thales UK site, Manor Royal (Crawley), featuring access to a wide variety of resources including manufacturing, environmental and electromagnetic test facilities and specialised laboratories. The modern site includes a subsidised restaurant, a café, break out spaces, bicycle storage facilities and more. Our environment is designed to encourage collaborative working, and you will be surrounded by many specialists with extensive knowledge of their fields.
Proactive individuals will find that there are many opportunities available in such a large and multi-disciplinary organisation, which makes Thales an excellent career choice.
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