Discipline Manager - Software

Location: Singapore, Singapore

Thales is a global technology leader trusted by governments, institutions, and enterprises to tackle their most demanding challenges. From quantum applications and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity and 6G innovation, our solutions empower critical decisions rooted in human intelligence. Operating at the forefront of aerospace and space, cybersecurity and digital identity, we’re driven by a mission to build a future we can all trust.

In Singapore, Thales has been a trusted partner since 1973, originally focused on aerospace activities in the Asia-Pacific region. With 2,000 employees across three local sites, we deliver cutting-edge solutions across aerospace (including air traffic management), defence and security, and digital identity and cybersecurity sectors. Together, we’re shaping the future by enabling customers to make pivotal decisions that safeguard communities and power progress.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Discipline and the other Discipline Managers to define and execute software engineering vision and strategy, aligning it with the specific region's context and objectives.
• Contribute to Software Engineering Discipline Governance

Competitiveness Engagement:

• Monitor regular competitiveness, assess the cost model through benchmark across Thales organization and group similar discipline, challenge bid quotation.
• Responsible for maintaining and upgrading discipline cost model definition based on capitalization and metrics.
• Perform Technical Reviews associated with their discipline on Bids/projects
• Roll-out Make Team Buy and footprint strategy for the forecasted workload (incoming activities)

Transformation Agent:

• Contribute to the formalization and communication of the discipline processes, practices and tools, ensuring they meet international standards.
• Communicate, standardize and reinforce the software quality standards and monitor their deployment.
• Responsible for the adoption of new technologies linked to our business (Digital tools, Cloud, CI/CD pipeline, containers).

Talent Development:

• Work closely with the Discipline Managers and Engineers to promote and enhance people training and are upskilled to build a strong and sustainable discipline.
• Map current and forecasted soft & hard skills to identify discipline trends and propose upskilling plan (training, coaching).
• Interact regularly with team members to define and support engineers in their career development plan.
• Provide leadership to coach, motivate, and lead team members to their optimum performance levels. 
• Manage recruitment and contractor selection

Resource Allocation:

• Assist in the allocation of people to support projects and product's needs. Ensure & secure the workload to fulfil current and future needs.
• Projects and Products Oversight:
• Monitor and assess how software current practices and tools contribute to projects and products to ensure they meet established objectives and milestones.
• Support improvements raised by the teams to processes and tools in order to boost quality, efficiency and delivery on-time.
• Ensure that any major risk is identified and managed in the scope of the discipline for any project, product or bid.

Regulation and Compliance:

• Ensure that software engineering practices are in compliance with local and international regulation and standards and advise on the development of optimal tradeoff to deliver a compliant and design to cost solutions. 
• Interface to the team for non-engineering departments to flow down information from HSE, HR, Facilities, …

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, IT or related discipline
• Postgraduate studies in Systems Engineering (Desirable)

Essential Experience

• Demonstrated experience in people management including team leadership, mentorship, and the ability to build and lead high performing teams (Time Size > 20)
• Proven experience in senior software engineering leadership role, preferably in an international and large organizational setting – 7+ years
• Proven experience in developing software products and projects in complex and multi-stakeholder context
• Experience in working in a complex, multidisciplinary, multi-site and international organisation
• Experience in safety critical development and associated software assurance is a plus
• Ability to develop and promote high performing teams
• Develop and foster a culture of continuous improvement
• Coaching and sharing of his/her know-how
• Ability to engage senior stakeholders having different objectives
• Accountability, transparency and curiosity
• A positive attitude combined with excellent interpersonal and motivational skills.
• An ability to successfully manage change
• Comfort in facing and managing complexity
• Sound judgement and independent decision-making capability where necessary

Desirable:

• Good knowledge of Air Traffic Management systems

General / Special Requirements

GENERAL

• Assist in ensuring a harmonious work environment in all departments that you are working with by upholding Thales' key values.
• An advocate for continuous improvement and knowledge sharing
• An advocate for diversity and inclusion who will be actively involved in implementing change initiatives to achieve our diversity goals
• An advocate for a culture of continuous improvement
• An advocate for Accountability, transparency and curiosity
• Comply with all relevant company Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental policies and framework and work practices with the intent of preventing or minimising accidental exposures to self, colleagues, visitors and/or the environment and to ensure a safe work practises at all times.
• Comply with all relevant Company policies and procedures.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Be eligible for Security Clearance from the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs (CAT2)
• Occasional international travel may be required

At Thales, we’re committed to fostering a workplace where respect, trust, collaboration, and passion drive everything we do. Here, you’ll feel empowered to bring your best self, thrive in a supportive culture, and love the work you do. Join us, and be part of a team reimagining technology to create solutions that truly make a difference – for a safer, greener, and more inclusive world.