Full-Time

Supplier Quality Leader

Updated on 8/23/2026

Thales

Thales

10,001+ employees

Global defense and aerospace electronics

No salary listed

Brest, France

Hybrid

Category
QA & Testing (1)
Required Skills
Supply Chain Management
ISO 9001
SAP Products
Quality Assurance (QA)

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Requirements
  • Knowledge of industrial suppliers, equipment, aerospace and defense development.
  • General knowledge of DMS products, including ECS, ISR, UWS and CSS.
  • Knowledge of ISO 9001, EN9100, AQAP2110, AQAP2310, FRA21G airworthiness and FRA145 standards and regulations.
  • Knowledge of APQP in aerospace production.
  • Knowledge of quality and production tools, including eACQ and SAP.
  • Knowledge of the IPCA audit checklist, EGAPE matrix and Aero Excellence.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with internal teams and suppliers.
  • Ability to represent Thales at suppliers at both operational and management levels.
  • Ability to communicate, demonstrate leadership and influence stakeholders.
  • Ability to persuade internal teams and suppliers to initiate improvement actions.
  • Ability to facilitate improvement projects and deploy best practices.
  • Results-oriented approach with quality deliverables such as audit reports, EGAPE matrix analyses, PVet presentations and quality-improvement projects.
  • Ability to propose recommendations and risk-securing actions.
  • Knowledge of quality-assurance management tools and models, including DMAIC, 9S, FMEA, QRQC and APQP.
  • Proficiency in supplier-audit techniques.
  • Proficiency in supplier-improvement techniques, including SD projects, DMAIC, problem solving, root-cause analysis and continuous improvement.
  • Proficiency in Lean techniques applied to engineering, industry and supply chain.
  • Proficiency in English for international work.
  • Knowledge of project management.
  • Knowledge of the processes, practices and tools used in Supplier Operations within Procurement.
  • Ten to fifteen years of experience in a large industrial group, including five years in industry, engineering or supply chain.
Responsibilities
  • Conduct supplier audits and assessments, including early assessment, IPCA, DPCA and capacity/load assessments, in industry and development activities in France and internationally, while implementing the Aero Excellence approach.
  • Deploy EGAPE requirements at identified suppliers, incorporate version V7, verify compliance with fundamental requirements and support suppliers as needed.
  • Validate and qualify suppliers through the Supplier Site Approval process.
  • Participate early in supplier selection with Procurement by summarizing supplier knowledge, identifying risks, proposing mitigation actions and improving process maturity.
  • Maintain and share a summary of supplier risks across the supply chain for Brest’s major products with project procurement managers.
  • Lead supplier-maturity improvement actions through audit action plans and quality-improvement projects.
  • Ensure corrective actions are closed within three months for critical findings and six months for major findings.
  • Lead internal improvement actions to improve work with suppliers by capitalizing on projects and facilitating working groups.
  • Support new transfers to India, mature Indian suppliers and strengthen quality monitoring of Indian suppliers with Thales teams in India.
  • Lead targeted improvement projects with SPM and RCFI teams across DMS and multiple GBUs, including Supplier Quality Improvement Plan projects.
  • Measure and use supplier cost of poor quality to target the most impactful suppliers.
  • Contribute to OCD performance objectives through defect analysis and support for 8D analysis.
  • Act as the primary quality contact for approximately fifteen suppliers across development, equipment/PECT and industrial activities.
  • Extend supplier-control and monitoring best practices from industry to equipment/PECT and development activities.
  • Represent Supplier Quality for the Brest site with Procurement, project, development, industry, support and quality teams.
  • Deploy SPM, RCFI and SuQL governance and help local RCFIs improve quality maturity.
  • Participate in local Brest supplier-quality forums as the SuQL representative.
  • Communicate SuQL actions in various forums, including Coperfou and Group forums.
  • Represent Thales to suppliers, customers and certification bodies.

Thales designs and delivers critical technology for aerospace, defense, and digital security, including electronics, software, and data-security systems used in air travel, credit cards, and modern military platforms. It combines hardware and software to create avionics, radar, cybersecurity, and secure communications systems that collect sensor data, run specialized software, and protect networks. It distinguishes itself through end-to-end solutions across defense, aerospace, and cybersecurity, ongoing deep-tech research in AI and quantum, and strategic acquisitions such as Gemalto and Imperva, plus its partial state ownership. Its goal is to provide reliable, secure, and connected technologies that support national security, public safety, and everyday life by solving complex security and connectivity challenges.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Meudon, France

Founded

1893

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q2 2026 order intake hit €12.5 billion, lifting backlog to €52.4 billion.
  • August 2026 launches of Luna 8 and Imperva for AWS expand cyber revenue.
  • The July 30, 2026 Exail deal strengthens underwater warfare, robotics, and quantum capabilities.

What critics are saying

  • German termination of the F126 frigate contract cost Thales €450 million in July 2026.
  • PNF and SFO investigations from 2022 and November 2024 continue, risking procurement bans.
  • Airbus, Leonardo, and Rheinmetall outbid Thales in Europe if Exail integration slips.

What makes Thales unique

  • Thales sells sovereign air defense, cyber, and aviation systems across 65 countries.
  • Thales combines installed platforms like TopSky-ATC with new offerings like TopSky-America, August 2026.
  • Thales is state-backed, with France and Dassault supporting long-cycle defense and security contracts.

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Benefits

Remote Work Options

Paid Parental Leave

Professional Development Budget

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-4%

1 year growth

-4%

2 year growth

3%
Wilsons Media
Aug 21st, 2026
Massive supply-chain attack sees terabytes of data belonging to some of the world's biggest and most sensitive organizations leaked online.

Massive supply-chain attack sees terabytes of data belonging to some of the world's biggest and most sensitive organizations leaked online. * More than 2,500 organizations, including Cisco, Samsung, AWS, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Thales, and the London Stock Exchange Group, have credentials harvested during a supply-chain attack on LiteLLM * LiteLLM was not directly hacked by the hacking group TeamPCP, which found their way in thanks to a compromised build of an open-source security scanner * Some of the credentials still work, nearly five months after the original breach, indicating that there is still a persistent security risk until they are changed Security firms CloudSEK and Hudson Rock have claimed more than 2,500 organizations have had credentials harvested in a supply-chain attack on LiteLLM. LiteLLM, an open source gateway which translates API calls for over 100 large language models into a single OpenAI-compatible format, was not directly compromised in the attack, as hackers targeted a known vulnerability in Aqua Security's Trivy. The list included many large and critical service providers, including but not limited to Cisco, Samsung, Salesforce, and Amazon Web Services, as well as Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Thales Group, Deutsche Bahn, Munich Re, and the London Stock Exchange Group. Latest Videos FromTechRadar An attack that is still a concern nearly five months later. The original attack occurred on March 24 2026 and was spearheaded by a financially motivated hacking group called TeamPCP, which compromised Trivy, an open source security tool that scans for vulnerabilities. The modified package, which was subsequently downloaded and 'invited' in by LiteLLM without checking its ID- an automated process that essentially allowed a poisoned version of the trusted tool in- gained server administrator privileges and then installed a stealer. The stealer compromised credentials and secrets far more valuable than corporate data, including Cloud keys, SSH keys, Kubernetes tokens, environment variables, repository and package-publishing tokens, and AI provider keys. These are arguably worse from a security standpoint than a singular breach because of both the scale of the attack and the fact that hackers now had a 'key' to many security doors rather than having to run exploits to get there. The victim-scale research done by CloudSEK was further corroborated the following day by Hudson Rock, and it painted a grim picture of what was still an outstanding issue nearly 5 months after the original attack. The irony is that some of the credentials still work: Independent researcher Kevin Beaumont said some of the compromised keys were still valid after he tested them, even as the impacted organization insisted it had 'rotated' those keys to new ones. CloudSEK's figures indicate 2,500-plus companies and 434,000 CI/CD pipelines were compromised, while Hudson Rock has released a 153 GB archive of the exfiltrated material after examining a 195 TB file it had obtained. Both firms are running domain-lookup tools so organizations can check their own exposure online. Whether these revelations lead organizations to double-check their use of AI tools in multiple mission-critical instances that could compromise not only customer data but their own trade secrets down the line remains to be seen. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add Wilson’s Media LLC as a preferred source to get its expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. More than 2,500 organizations, including Cisco, Samsung, AWS, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Thales, and the London Stock Exchange Group, have credentials harvested during a supply-chain attack on LiteLLM LiteLLM was not directly hacked by the hacking group TeamPCP, which found their way in thanks to a compromised build of...

The Defense Post
Aug 20th, 2026
Thales, Systematic join Forces to modernize Denmark's air defense.

Thales, Systematic join Forces to modernize Denmark's air defense. Thales and Systematic have formed a strategic partnership to develop integrated air defense capabilities for the Danish Armed Forces. The collaboration combines Systematic's command-and-control software with Thales' air defense technologies, including the SAMP/T NG missile defense system, to support Denmark's modernization of its air and surface-based air missile defense architecture. Rather than developing a new weapon system, the deal focuses on improving how different air defense assets communicate and operate together. The companies said the goal is to deliver interoperable capabilities that can integrate with Denmark's existing defense architecture and NATO operations. The alliance will also support the Danish Acquisition and Logistics Organisation, which oversees defense procurement, while strengthening Denmark's domestic defense industry through local industrial participation and potential export opportunities. "This partnership is an important step to strengthen Denmark's air defense capabilities with trusted European technology, while building on the strong industrial capabilities we have developed here in Denmark," Systematic vice president for business development Klaus Qvist said. Denmark expands defense partnerships. The Thales-Systematic agreement follows a series of partnerships aimed at strengthening Denmark's defense capabilities and industrial base. In May, Australia's DroneShield and Denmark's Terma signed an agreement to develop interoperable counter-drone capabilities, creating a framework for joint testing and future deployment. In March, Spain's Navantia proposed a long-term partnership to support Denmark's next generation of naval programs, offering local industrial participation, training, and lifecycle support with deliveries beginning in 2030. This follows a December 2025 agreement between Heckler & Koch and Rheinmetall Nordic to jointly deliver integrated small arms, fire control, and weapon accessory solutions for European military and law enforcement customers.

Defence Nordic
Aug 19th, 2026
Systematic and French giant join forces on Danish air defence.

Systematic and French giant join forces on Danish air defence. The companies will integrate their technologies to help Denmark counter growing drone and ballistic-missile threats By Rasmus Schaal Linneberg, Kevin Landor Laursen August 19, 2026 2:40 PM Danish software company Systematic and major air defence manufacturer Thales announced a new partnership to deliver air defence solutions aimed at strengthening the Danish Armed Forces. The partnership was announced at the Danish defence expo DALO Industry Days, hosted by the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation.

VIPress
Aug 17th, 2026
Thales formalises $150 Exail Technologies acquisition, targeting Q1 2028 completion

Thales has formalised its acquisition of Exail Technologies, signing a binding agreement on 30 July for €134 per share. The deal involves purchasing the Gorgé family's 35.51% stake by Q3 2027, followed by a mandatory public offer for remaining shares expected in early 2028, subject to regulatory approvals. The acquisition will strengthen Thales's portfolio in submarine warfare, naval robotics, and inertial navigation systems, whilst expanding capabilities in photonics, quantum technologies, and aerospace. Exail Technologies, a leading European dual-use technology company, generated €479 million revenue in 2025 and employs over 2,200 people. The company specialises in inertial navigation systems, maritime and submarine drones, autonomous mine-countermeasure systems, and photonic and quantum components. Exail's board unanimously supports the transaction, pending an independent expert's fairness opinion.

ExecutiveBiz
Aug 13th, 2026
Thales introduces TopSky-America for FAA modernization efforts.

Thales introduces TopSky-America for FAA modernization efforts. * Thales' TopSky-America is designed to support FAA modernization efforts * The air traffic management system will use artificial intelligence to consolidate air traffic operations * The offering is intended to automate operations and reduce reliance on legacy technology Thales has unveiled TopSky-America, a cloud-based air traffic management system built to meet the operational, cybersecurity and scalability needs unique to the National Airspace System, or NAS, the company announced Wednesday. What is TopSky-America? TopSky-America is a new platform that pairs the automation capabilities of the TopSky-ATC, an air traffic control system deployed in more than 100 countries and handling 40 percent of the world's airspace, with resilience capabilities and controller decision-support tools. This combination is intended to provide air carriers and passengers more predictable operations, ease demands on the controller workforce and strengthen operational performance, all while maintaining rigorous safety standards. How will TopSky-America support FAA modernization? TopSky-America uses artificial intelligence to support the consolidation of air traffic operations and help the Federal Aviation Administration replace legacy systems, including the En Route Automation Modernization and the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, with a unified Common Automation Platform. This is intended to make operations less complex, enhance data sharing and strengthen controllers' situational awareness. The launch comes as the FAA advances efforts to modernize the NAS. In January, the agency established an Airspace Modernization Office to oversee the development and deployment of a next-generation air traffic control system and support broader modernization initiatives. The FAA's modernization efforts reflect broader federal investments in AI, cloud infrastructure and digital transformation. Government and industry leaders will explore these priorities at the Potomac Officers Club's 2026 FedCiv Summit on Oct. 29. The event will offer insight into evolving agency priorities and procurement trends. Reserve your spot today. What did Thales NA leadership say about the new system? Thales North America CEO Rob Geckle, a 2023 Wash100 Award winner, described the offering as a modernization approach built on an operationally proven foundation while providing flexibility and customization for U.S. airspace requirements. "Drawing on more than 80 years of innovation in the U.S., Thales is committed to delivering a fast, low-risk pathway for the future of air traffic management in America," Geckle added.