Principal Systems Engineer

Thales; Stockport; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Inclusive recruitment process

Job summary

A leading defense technology company is looking for a Principal Systems Engineer to manage systems engineering processes and ensure project delivery within budgets. The ideal candidate has a background in Systems Engineering Management, strong interpersonal skills, and is eligible for SC clearance. Competitive compensation and flexible working hours are offered.

Qualifications

• Proven record in Systems Engineering Management.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels.
• Experience in team working.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Systems Engineering Process for major projects.
• Develop and manage requirements specifications.
• Provide technical guidance to project stakeholders.

Skills

System Engineering tools (e.g. DOORS, Polarion, MBSE, JIRA)

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Configuration control processes

Education

HND/Engineering Degree or equivalent

Job description

Principal Systems Engineer

Location: Cheadle, United Kingdom

Thales people provide armed forces customers with operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defence mission systems solutions at land, sea, and air. Our platforms extend across the battlespace including Above and Sonar, Electronic Combat, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems. 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 the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, 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.

Primary Purpose of the Role: Manage the Systems Engineering Process to company and international standards for a major project, including providing team management and direction to engineers through requirements management, design, implementation and validation until delivery of the system. Provide systems engineering decision authority.

Principal Relationships

• Engineers at all levels
• Bid team members
• Project team members
• Testing team members
• Installation team members
• Project Planners
• Sales and Marketing
• Supply Chain
• Commercial
• Major Stakeholders / Client

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

• Develop and manage requirements specifications at both the system and subsystem levels.
• Demonstrate a solid understanding of the development lifecycle and lifecycle products.
• Interface with clients to define the content and format of test specifications.
• Define and authorise test specifications.
• Conduct impact analysis and manage variations.
• Ensure compliance with customer requirements and resolve related issues.
• Define and authorise design descriptions and verification requirements.
• Provide technical advice to the Engineering Group Manager on technical matters and management issues pertinent to the Systems Engineering Group.
• Offer technical direction and leadership to the Systems Engineering community.
• Engage with key stakeholders effectively.
• Establish and maintain a structured Systems Engineering process and activities.
• Provide detailed technical specifications.
• Offer assistance and guidance to Project Systems Engineers regarding their responsibilities and design decisions.
• Prepare resource plans and budgets for the Systems Engineering Group, managing the budget to ensure project objectives are met within financial constraints.
• Approve estimates for project activities and manage the Systems Engineering Group to ensure work is completed on time and within budget.
• Develop and train Systems Engineering personnel to ensure a qualified staff is available to perform and lead the design and requirements development for projects and products, including acceptance requirements.
• Represent the Systems Engineering Group on the change control committee, reviewing change proposals and approving Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) on behalf of the engineering department.
• Stay informed of technical developments both within and outside of the company.
• Identify training, development, and performance needs through the Annual Check-in and Development Check-in processes for the Systems Engineering community under your supervision.
• Assist the Engineering Group Manager in strengthening the engineering capabilities of the team.

Key Performance Indicators

• Financial performance of the System Engineering team under your control.
• Timely delivery of team objectives, appraisals and development actions.
• Quality of work produced against agreed standards.
• Delivery to timescales.
• Delivery to budget.
• Performance against Thales key values.

Expected Competence Level

Skills:

• Able to use a range of IT tools.
• Has a sound ability to use System Engineering tools (e.g. DOORS, Polarion, MBSE, JIRA etc.).
• Has knowledge of configuration control processes.
• Can manage a complex project through a defined design process and is able to tailor CHORUS2 to project needs.
• Can define and use metrics as part of quality assurance and control change to re-model a System Engineering process.
• A working knowledge of project plans.
• Has knowledge of Engineering Safety Management.

Experience:

• Must have a proven record of working in a Systems Engineering Management function.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to communicate at all levels.
• Evidence of team working required.

Values & Behaviours

• Think Big
  • Imagine the Future: See ahead to design new, different and simplified solutions that will anticipate and address tomorrow’s business needs and challenges.
  • Inspire to Engage: Shares a compelling vision, leads with integrity and engages stakeholders.
• Make It Happen
  • Deliver User-centric Solutions: Create customer intimacy, listen fully and be accountable for creating value for the client and for Thales.
  • Act with Agility: Challenges the status quo, takes smart risks and fosters continuous improvement.
• Together
  • Grow Others and Self: Invest energy to develop self and others, ensuring individual and organisational potential is maximised.
  • Include Others: Empower others, embrace diversity in partnering beyond organisational boundaries to achieve common goals.

Desirable Qualifications and Certification

• HND/Engineering Degree or equivalent.

Essential

• Eligible for SC clearance as a minimum.
• Have attained or working towards an appropriate professional status (CEng) or equivalent.
• Not able to consider any person who holds dual citizenship.

Financial / Budgetary Responsibility

The post holder will be expected to deliver designs/projects to an agreed budget.

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.

Thales is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. Reasonable adjustments will be provided for neuro‑diverse applicants or those with a disability or long‑term condition.