System Engineering Manager

Thales Group; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Competitive remuneration

Medical Insurance

Novated Lease options

Professional development

Employee discounts

Job summary

Thales Australia is seeking a Senior Engineering Project Leader to drive end-to-end delivery across the System Engineering Lifecycle. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, manage stakeholders, and ensure safety, schedule and budget adherence in a hybrid work model.

The role requires leadership in matrix organisations, strong governance, and a background in ASDEFCON-aligned engineering practices. Join a team delivering secure, sovereign capabilities for defence.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering end-to-end through the System Engineering Lifecycle.
• Experience in matrix-style organisations with disciplined engineering governance.
• Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional teams across planning, execution, and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering project delivery from planning through commissioning.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure safety, schedule and budget.
• Drive delivery discipline in a matrix organisation and optimise resources.

Skills

System engineering lifecycle

Technical project delivery

Matrix organisations

Earned Value Management

Education

Engineering degree (Communications/Computing/Electronics or related)

Job description

At Thales, we know technology has the ability to make our world more secure, sustainable, and inclusive – and that it’s all driven by human intelligence.

Because it takes human intelligence to build and power the systems and solutions that people depend on every day. So we stay curious and make space for diverse points of view. We share what we know and we challenge what’s possible.

From manufacturing and engineering to cybersecurity and space, we’re driving progress in some of the world’s most important industries – and working together to build a future we can all trust.

Thales Australia’s Secure Communications & Information Systems (SIX) business is a strategic domain delivering sovereign, secure capabilities to the Australian Defence Force.

The SIX business has existing capabilities and proven credentials with the Australian customer in the following three market sectors:

• Secure Communications:Providing resilient tactical radios, combat net radio systems, and cryptographic equipment.

• Information Systems:Delivering command, control, and digital infrastructure to connect land, sea, and air forces.

• Cyber and Digital:Integrating secure data networks and advanced security operations.

Located in Western Sydney’s Rydalmere, on Darug land, your role purpose will be-

• Lead engineering project delivery, driving execution success from early planning through commissioning

• Coordinate cross-functional teams, aligning engineering, stakeholders, and delivery partners to ensuresafety, schedule, and budgetare met

• Drive delivery discipline in a matrix organisation and optimise resources, support productivity, and embed delivery excellence

• Track and control performance, monitor progress againstscope, timeline, budget, and quality

• Support bids with developingScope of Work documentation and provide technical support to bid activities

• Demonstrate strong delivery practices, governance, and engineering standards throughout the lifecycle

On day one, you will bring:

• Proven experience delivering end-to-end through the System Engineering Lifecycle, with strong capability in technical project delivery and management

• Experienced working in matrix-style organisations, with sound alignment to ASDEFCON standards and disciplined engineering governance

• Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional teams, driving outcomes across planning, execution, and delivery

• Working knowledge of Earned Value Management

• Degree-qualified in Engineering (Communications, Computing, Electronics or related discipline preferred)

As part of our commitment, we offer:

• Competitive remuneration + Super + Bonus + Medical Insurance

• ThalesFlex – Hybrid work environment

• Recognised leader in reservist employee support

• Veterans Leave

• Fitness Passport Discount – Access to a network of Gyms across AUS

• Employee discounts with a number of affiliates (Travel, Car hire, Tech, Medical Insurance)

• Modernised Paid Parental Leave

• Novated Lease options

• Family support through our partnership with Parents at Work

• Personal & professional training development opportunities

• Sonder – Wellbeing & Support Partner

• Access to a network of the best people (A Nobel Prize winner on our staff list!)

• And much more!

Good to Know

A NV 1 Defence security clearance is required for this role; applicants must be Australian citizens and eligible to obtain and maintain an appropriate clearance.

Additional information with regards to clearances is available from the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency website http://www.defence.gov.au/AGSVA/. In some cases, individuals who hold a current clearance from a foreign government may be eligible to have this clearance recognised by the Australian Government and be eligible for this role.

The Australian Defence Trade Controls Act (DTCA) is applicable and as such, your nationality may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role.

Prior to being offered employment, you will need to complete pre-employment police and (role dependent) medical checks.

It’s easy to dismiss the perfect opportunity if you don’t see yourself as the perfect fit. If this role feels right –no matter your background or personal circumstances –please introduce yourself or join our community. We’re committed to supporting a diverse workplace, and that starts here.

We’re proud to be endorsed by WORK180 as an Employer for All Women, but we know there’s always more we can do. We’ll continue to foster industry partnerships, employee resource groups (ERGs) and development opportunities to make Thales a genuinely equitable employer, for everyone.

Read more about our WORK180 endorsement.