Location: Crawley, United Kingdom

Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

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 five major industries; Aerospace, Defence, Ground Transportation, 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.

About the Aeronautical Connectivity Systems Department in Flight Avionics (FLX)

Our mission is to define, develop and deliver safe, cyber-secure and certifiable connected products, applications and end-to-end services to our customers in the civil and military markets within cost, time and quality requirements of our stakeholders with the overall objective of providing the infrastructure and services that enable single pilot operation, autonomous flight and more.

About this role…

As the Product Design Authority for Air to Ground Connectivity Products, residing in the Connectivity Competence Centre (CCC) of Flight Avionics (FLX), you will be the Technical Authority for a multi-disciplinary engineering team. You will be focused on the development, delivery, and in-service support of our Air to Ground Connectivity product for the civil aviation market. This includes:

• Leading the development of the technical solution for bids, and acting as the primary technical interface to potential new customers

• Technically leading the design and delivery of future product upgrades, in line with product strategy

• Providing responses to technical queries for in-service products

• Supporting delivery of any future studies to prototype product enhancements, or develop future Air to Ground connectivity products

• Approving the Technical artefacts in support of the product

The successful candidate will be someone who…

• Has behaviours that align to the Thales Leadership Model; Think Big, Make it Happen, Together

• Has an excellent track record of contributing to the delivery of optimised, compliant technical solutions; achieving cost, schedule, and customer satisfaction targets

• Is a leader with a “can-do” attitude that performs effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment and promotes the values of inclusiveness and diversity

• Understands their role within an organisation, how it supports delivery of the engineering vision and strategy, and can support planning or re-planning of work accordingly to align with the needs of the business

• Pays attention to detail, is inquisitive and possesses rigorous reviewing skills

• Synthesises, communicates ideas clearly and concisely, demonstrating written and verbal and presentation skills in the English language

• Formulates and communicates complex technical issues or ideas in a manner appropriate for a non-technical audience and is capable of representing the engineering view of programmes to all stakeholders, both internal and external

• Has the ability to analyse and combine data from various sources and to make decisions based on them

• Is able to proficiently interpret avionics product requirements and support the design of cost-effective, innovative technical solutions

• Demonstrates commercial awareness in the technical domain

• Fully committed and prepared to go the extra mile when complex tasks need to be completed quickly

Essential Knowledge, Skills, Qualification

• Broad knowledge of Systems Engineering process, practices and lifecycle

• Background in Electronics or Avionic Systems development

• A detailed understanding of Requirements Engineering & Management

• Good knowledge of how Avionic systems interrelate and interconnect

• Understanding of Integration, Verification & Validation (IVV)

• Understanding of Qualification & Certification Requirements

• Experience of interfacing with third party organisations

Desired Skills

• Preferably experience of holding a Technical Leadership/Design Authority role previously; though this is not essential

• Knowledge of Avionics Standards (ARP 4754A, ARP 4761A, RTCA DO-178B/C, RTCA DO-254)

• Working Knowledge of regulatory requirements (aviation and radio)

PDA key tasks and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to…

• Ensuring that the technical solution is feasible, competitive and meets customer expectations or product requirements in terms of cost, innovation, performance, schedule, etc.

• Acting as the primary technical leader of the bid or project team

• Acting as the lead technical interface with the Customer (or Product Line Manager for a Product)

• Monitoring, reviewing, advising and assisting with technical issues across the programme

• Ensuring solution compliance with product policies and requirements, as well as applicable legislation & regulations (i.e. Radio Regulation, aviation certification, export restrictions, Environmental/HSE, safety, security…etc.)

• Reviewing together with the EDM (Engineering Delivery Manager) the technical risks and opportunities and the related mitigation plans throughout the bid or project

• Preparing engineering bids, approves project engineering reviews and deliverables, and escalates any issues, risks.

• Organising when appropriate technical meetings and peer reviews together with the Architect (ARC), Subject Matter Experts (SME) and the EDM and other external, internal stakeholders (industry, services, specialists.), in order to perform the solution technical assessment and validation

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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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