Lead Naval Communications Systems Architect

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

Benefits offered by this job

Performance‑related bonus

Half day every Friday

28 days annual leave (plus bank hols)

Job summary

Thales is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer to lead end-to-end naval communications programmes for UK and international customers. You will define solutions, shape architectures, and drive delivery across the full lifecycle from concept to deployment and in-service support.

You will manage technical risks, guide cross‑functional teams, and ensure successful bid and programme outcomes in a fast-paced defence environment, with SC clearance requirements and UK residency expectations.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams on complex systems programmes.
• Strong background across requirements, design, integration, V&V and acceptance.
• Experience with governance milestones (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.).
• Ability to define system and subsystem specifications from high‑level requirements.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and design review leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead definition of technical solutions from requirements to system design.
• Provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary teams to meet cost, schedule, and quality targets.
• Support bids by interpreting customer requirements and shaping solutions.
• Plan, estimate and deliver engineering work packages aligned to programme objectives.
• Ensure compliance with engineering governance and Standards.

Skills

Multidisciplinary leadership

Systems engineering lifecycle

Governance frameworks

System/subsystem specifications

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Thales is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer to lead end-to-end naval communications programmes for UK and international customers. You will define solutions, shape architectures, and drive delivery across the full lifecycle from concept to deployment and in-service support.

You will manage technical risks, guide cross‑functional teams, and ensure successful bid and programme outcomes in a fast-paced defence environment, with SC clearance requirements and UK residency expectations.