Software Engineering Manager

Crawley, Sussex
Thales
Location: Crawley, United Kingdom

Thales people architect solutions at the heart of the defence-security continuum. Interoperable and secure information and telecommunications systems for defence, security, and civil operators, are based upon innovative use of radiocommunications, networks, and cybersecurity. We are ground breaking new digital technologies such as 4G mobile communications, cryptography, cloud computing and big data for use in physical protection systems, and critical information 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 five major industries; Aerospace, Defence, Ground Transportation, 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.

Overview of the role

Thales have an exciting opportunity and are looking to recruit an experienced Senior Software Engineering Manager with a background in an engineering related business to join our growing software community across our Crawley and Reading sites. Working as part of a growing and diverse team, you will work across a diverse product portfolio that encompasses cutting edge communications products in our sea domain and fulfil an integral software leadership role, involved in managing and monitoring software developments across the full software development life-cycle (Agile).

As a senior software leader you will define, tailor and enforce the software development process to be followed, request and manage resources, be responsible for product/project work packages/budgets and backlogs, lead the software estimating activities for bids, when requested, and lead and contribute to continuous improvement activities on project and to the wider software function. Thales operates a hybrid working model where it is possible to blend working from home and on site.

Responsibilities

You will:

• Work collaboratively in the Naval engineering team and with programme team colleagues to provide realistic plans and schedules that identify clear priorities for software activities that support the wider business customer deliverables clearly identifying any software risks, assumptions and dependencies and managing them appropriately
• Maintain and update software development plans that are mindful of evolving customer and business requirements around topics such as software team delivery structures, safety and cyber-security
• Ensure the defined software development process is followed and necessary artefacts are generated to adequate quality, timeliness and budget
• Lead the estimating process in the Naval portfolio for the software function and collaborate with other engineering functions to build realistic and affordable winning bids
• Report monthly on the software delivery performance to the Naval Portfolio and the Head of Software for SIX for the work package performance that you’re responsible for with a view to maintaining and bettering available budgets and delivery milestones.
• Ensure company standard metrics are reporting current and accurate data for the work you are responsible for
• Provide line management to software engineers working within your sphere of responsibility carrying out regular performance discussions and wellbeing 1-2-1s. Engage with team leads and the HoD on training and development plans
• Competently represent the company and the software function at customer facing meetings or audits
• Support Agile Scrum teams and work with the Product Owners and Scrum Masters to maintain focus on milestones and budgets
• Ensure peer reviews of work and generation of necessary materials for major gate reviews for milestone deliveries are carried out as per the plans
• Provide coaching and support to more junior engineers

Requirements

We would love to hear from you if:

• You are a self-motivated software professional with five to ten year experience in successfully leading software projects to deliver on-time and to budget preferably for real-time and embedded software systems.
• Experience with and conversant in Agile development methodologies with a track record in continuous improvement
• Experience in IBM DOORS for tracking requirements definition and maturation, linkages and traceability and ultimately compliance
• Proficient in Jira for loading epics and stories for backlog management and the generation and management of metrics
• Experience in developing with languages C++ and C are desirable
• Developing software systems to meet international safety systems such as IEC 61508, DO-178C/278 or EUROCAE – ED109 is desirable
• Developed software systems to meet the cyber-security needs of the customer and other stakeholders

Due to the nature of the work the candidate should hold or be able to hold UK Secret clearance.

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 which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

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