Head of Hardware Systems Engineering

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

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Cycle to work scheme

Annual bonus

Job summary

Thales is seeking a Systems Engineering Group Manager (Hardware) to lead the craft across UWS Hardware and ensure a reliable talent supply and optimal working environment. This dual-reporting role involves managing permanent, contingent, and external partners in a complex matrix structure.

The position requires strong leadership, a clear strategy for capability development, and coordination with Head of Hardware Engineering across UK sites.

Qualifications

• Talent Strategy and Resource Supply Management
• Total Talent Supply Owner: Own the strategy and delivery for all forms of tradecraft supply.
• Capacity Planning: Forecast future demand for Systems Engineering skills across all UWS sites.
• Contingent/Partner Quality: Support, Influence & enforce quality standards and onboarding processes for all non-permanent practitioners.
• Recruitment and Retention: Lead the recruitment lifecycle for permanent employees and implement targeted retention strategies.
• Craftsmanship and Technical Enablement
• Tooling Advocacy and Influence: Build strong business cases to secure funding for software, hardware, and infrastructure.
• Fit-for-Purpose Assurance: Ensure deployed tools and infrastructure remain fit for purpose.
• People Leadership and Development
• Pastoral Care and Well-being: Provide mentorship and pastoral care within the matrix structure.
• Functional Performance Management
• Technical Leadership: Direct, coach, and support site-based Technical Leads across locations.

Responsibilities

• Talent Strategy and Resource Supply Management.
• Capacity Planning to forecast future demand for Systems Engineering skills across all sites.
• Contingent/Partner Quality and onboarding processes for non-permanent practitioners.
• Recruitment and Retention for permanent staff.
• Craftsmanship and Technical Enablement across hardware domains.
• Tooling Advocacy and Budgeting for infrastructure and software.
• Fit-for-Purpose Assurance for tools and infrastructure across sites.
• Define and maintain the Systems Engineering Craft Standard.
• People Leadership: coach Technical Leads and drive professional development.
• Career development and pastoral care for staff within the matrix structure.
• Performance reviews focused on craftsmanship, standards, and growth.
• Technical Leadership across site locations.

Job description

Thales is seeking a Systems Engineering Group Manager (Hardware) to lead the craft across UWS Hardware and ensure a reliable talent supply and optimal working environment. This dual-reporting role involves managing permanent, contingent, and external partners in a complex matrix structure.

The position requires strong leadership, a clear strategy for capability development, and coordination with Head of Hardware Engineering across UK sites.