Head of Autonomous & Complex Systems Services

Thales; Templecombe; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Volunteer leave

Job summary

Thales seeks a strategically minded Head of Autonomous & Complex Systems Services to own UK MMCM In‑Service Support contracts, shape future autonomous maritime services, and lead a cross‑functional team across multiple locations in the UK.

You will manage programme planning, governance and financial performance, align with Thales Chorus 2 processes, and collaborate with Thales France to deliver end‑to‑end service solutions while driving profitability.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in project, programme or service delivery management within a complex engineering/defence environment.
• Strong understanding of project management disciplines covering cost, quality and schedule.
• Experience delivering service-based contracts and through-life support.

Responsibilities

• Lead the successful delivery of Royal Navy MMCM In-Service Support contracts against cost, quality and schedule targets.
• Manage transition from development to full service support operations.
• Define and implement UK MMCM support delivery models with cross‑border collaboration, and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Bids & capture

Team leadership

Risk management

Communication

Education

APMP qualification or equivalent

Degree-level qualification in technical/engineering/business

Job description

Location: Templecombe, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

At Thales, we are shaping the future of naval operations through cutting-edge autonomous technologies. We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Autonomous & Complex Systems Services to lead the delivery and future development of support services for one of the UK's most innovative defence programmes.

This is a highly visible role within our Underwater Systems Business Line, offering the opportunity to influence both current service delivery and the long‑term strategy for autonomous and ‘As a Service’ maritime services.

As Head of Autonomous & Complex Systems Services, you will take ownership of the UK MMCM In‑Service Support (ISS) contracts while helping to define and deliver the future support model for MMCM and wider autonomous maritime systems. Working closely with colleagues in both the UK and France, you will play a critical role in ensuring customers can successfully adopt, operate and maintain these complex capabilities throughout their service life.

Location:

Templecombe or Cheadle

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the successful delivery of Royal Navy MMCM In‑Service Support contracts, ensuring performance against cost, quality and schedule targets.
• Manage the transition from development and qualification activities into full service support operations.
• Deliver the UK element of support for the Marine National MMCM platforms in collaboration with Thales France.
• Maintain exceptional levels of customer satisfaction through effective service delivery and stakeholder engagement.
• Take ownership of programme planning, governance, reporting, financial performance and resource management.
• Drive project performance and protect and improve project profitability.
• Lead service reviews, performance reporting and customer governance meetings.
• Identify and resolve delivery challenges, escalating issues where appropriate.
• Ensure project governance is maintained in accordance with Thales Chorus 2 processes.
• Jointly define the future MMCM support delivery model across the UK and France.
• Develop business cases to secure investment in future support capabilities.
• Support bid and capture activities, helping shape new service solutions and customer offerings.
• Contribute to the development of Mine Warfare as a Service (MWaaS) offerings and future autonomous support solutions.
• Lead support strategy development for future programmes, including Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) Block 2.
• Identify growth opportunities and support business development activities across the autonomous systems portfolio.
• Lead and develop a team of approximately 10-20 colleagues across multiple locations.
• Build strong relationships with customers, Royal Navy stakeholders and international partners.
• Collaborate across engineering, commercial, finance, procurement, sales, quality and operations functions.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and customer focus.

About You

We're looking for a driven and commercially aware leader who combines strong project delivery expertise with a passion for customer success and innovation.

You’ll ideally have:

• Significant experience in project, programme or service delivery management within a complex engineering or defence environment.
• Strong understanding of project management disciplines covering cost, quality and schedule management.
• APMP qualification or equivalent project management experience.
• Experience delivering support services and managing service‑based contracts.
• Knowledge of through‑life support principles and service delivery frameworks.
• Experience managing customer relationships and achieving high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including the ability to interpret detailed project financial data.
• Experience supporting bids, capture activities and business growth initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills.
• Ability to lead multi‑functional and geographically dispersed teams.
• Experience identifying risks and opportunities and translating these into practical delivery plans.
• Degree‑level qualification in a technical, engineering or business‑related discipline, or equivalent experience.

Desirable Experience

• Knowledge of the Mine Warfare domain.
• Understanding of autonomous maritime systems and the MMCM programme.
• Experience working with defence organisations or military customers.
• Experience operating in international project environments.

What We Offer

• Performance‑related bonus
• Half day every Friday, typically finishing around 1pm
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Opportunity to buy additional leave
• 24 hours paid volunteering leave
• Private healthcare
• Competitive pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Employee discount schemes
• Gym membership discounts
• Career development within a global technology leader

Security Clearance Requirement:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). 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.

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.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.