Software Engineering Manager

Thales; Cheadle; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence technology company seeks a Software Engineering Manager to lead software delivery for critical defence systems in a hybrid role based in Cheadle. The position demands proficiency in software engineering and project management, alongside strong leadership skills. You will manage work packages, define standards for software development, and ensure delivery aligns with customer needs. We offer a competitive salary, benefits, and an opportunity for career growth in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Performance related annual bonus

Pension match up to 7%

Private Medical Insurance

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Half day every Friday

Qualifications

• Proven experience in software engineering and management.
• Ability to manage complex software delivery.
• Experience in technical direction and software development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the software delivery for mission-critical defence systems.
• Manage software work packages and ensure they meet customer expectations.
• Define processes, standards, and methodologies for software development.

Skills

Software engineering expertise

Project management

Technical leadership

Job description

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. Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. 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.

Software Engineering Manager

Location: Cheadle, full-time hybrid working with 3 days in the office

Step into a role where your software leadership shapes mission‑critical defence technology!

What the role has to offer

• Lead the Software That Powers Mission‑Critical Defence Systems
• Own the Delivery of Complex, High‑Value Software Work Packages
• Grow Your Career in a World‑Class Engineering Environment

Our Opportunity

We’re looking for an accomplished software engineering professional ready to elevate their impact by combining deep technical expertise with strong delivery leadership. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the crossroads of software engineering, project management and technical direction – shaping how software is built while ensuring complex work packages land successfully.

You’ll operate across two closely connected domains: Software Engineering Management and Software Work Package Management. Together, they give you the scope to influence engineering strategy while owning the delivery of critical software outcomes. In Software Engineering Management (SWEM), you’ll define and embed the processes, practices and standards that enable high‑quality, reliable software development. You’ll select the right methodologies, lifecycles and tools, and ensure the technical and human resources are organised effectively to deliver at pace and scale. In Software Work Package Management (SWPM), you’ll take full ownership of delivering a clearly defined scope of work – meeting customer expectations within agreed cost, schedule and quality commitments. You’ll plan, coordinate and monitor progress, manage risks proactively, and keep delivery aligned throughout the entire lifecycle.

The role may involve occasional travel to client sites and other Thales UK locations, so flexibility and confidence working across different environments will serve you well.

We welcome applications from experienced Senior Software Engineers and Senior Software Developers ready for their next step, as well as established Software Development Team Leads, Software Engineering Team Leaders, Software Supervisors, and Software Engineering Leads seeking a fresh challenge and greater delivery responsibility.

Building a Future, We Can All Trust

Defence Mission Systems (DMS) delivers cutting‑edge products, solutions and services across electronic combat systems, airborne surveillance and reconnaissance, and both above‑water and underwater combat capabilities. At the heart of these advanced systems lies one critical discipline: Software. From satellite control to secure transaction platforms for banking and cloud environments, software engineering plays a defining role in the performance and reliability of our technology. Joining this area means working on diverse, high‑impact projects that challenge you, develop your expertise and contribute directly to mission‑critical capability.

What We Offer You

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package designed to support our employees’ wellbeing and professional growth, which includes:

• Performance related annual bonus (VCP)
• Pension – match like‑for‑like up to 7% of annual base salary
• Life Assurance – 2 × base salary minimum (8 × salary if part of the pension scheme)
• Income Protection – 50% of salary less state benefits for 5 years
• Annual Leave – 201 hours, bank holidays, plus 1 company day
• Private Medical Insurance – Couples cover
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 1:00 pm
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• 24 hours paid leave for volunteering activities
• Access to