System Architect

Location: Templecombe, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Under Water Systems (UWS)

Our purpose is to be the leading provider of underwater sensors and decision superiority, helping navies across the world keep our friends, families and all of us safe. We cover four sectors: Mine Counter Measures, Anti-Submarine warfare, Services and Future Capabilities.

Primary Purpose of the Role:

To manage the Systems Engineering Process to company and international standards for defined packages of work.  To provide line management and technical leadership to Systems Engineers.

The Systems Architect typically works with a team of engineers to define what will be designed, how it will perform and how it will be determined that it is working correctly

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Converts requirements into conceptual designs and prepares associated documentation by performing operational analyses, simulations and technical trade-off studies evaluating alternative design configurations and functional features.
• Development lifecycle and lifecycle products.
• Interfacing with the client, to gain approval of test specifications and to host acceptance testing activities.
• Help develop and execute Test Specifications including:
• Support the development of test plans and test strategy documents
• Execute test specifications (according to test plan and project schedule)
• Record and/or authorise results of test execution
• Raise/investigate/verify defects
• Maintain quality target/standard
• Prepares system & subsystem requirement specifications, interface requirements and test requirement documents by analysing, decomposing modelling and refining customer requirements.
• Performs technical/engineering tasks to define system design and subsystem requirements details. 
• Analysis and simulations are performed as necessary to identify design feasibility & driving requirements.
• Supervises staff, by defining their work, coaching them on how and what to prepare, monitoring their progress and directing them on priorities.
• Proposes work package estimates and descriptions based on knowledge of the work and project requirements, ensuring that compliant solutions at optimum cost are identified.
• Develop, implement and maintain tools relevant to the Systems Engineering function.  Manage the assessment of relevant tools.
• Defines or proposes updates of processes and standards covering the work and its products based on knowledge of systems engineering.
• Keep abreast of technical development in relevant domain (e.g. sonar systems) both within and outside of the company.
• Manage the production of quality metrics to measure the soundness of the System Engineering processes under your control.

Skills:

• Able to use a range of IT tools (e.g. MS Office, MS Visio, etc).
• Has a sound ability to use system engineering tools. (e.g. DOORS, System Architect, JIRA)
• Has a working knowledge of configuration control.
• Can manage a project through a defined process and is able to tailor CHORUS2 to project needs.
• Can define metrics as part of Quality assurance & control.
• Working knowledge of project plans.
• Has a working knowledge of Engineering Safety Management

Experience:

• The Systems Engineers are the technical focal point for the System Engineering process and must resolve all issues, problems, questions and conflicts in the entire system.  This requires frequent handling of new and unusual issues therefore a proven record of working in a Systems Engineering environment is required.
• The post holder should have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate at all levels in the spoken and written word. A good outward appearance, self-motivation and the ability to work under pressure are vital.
• The success of the Systems Engineering job family relies on the interaction of its engineers at all levels, therefore evidence of team working is required.

Desirable Qualifications and Certification:

• HNC/HND/Engineering Degree or equivalent

Essential:

• Have attained, or working towards an appropriate professional status or equivalent

Financial / Budgetary Responsibility:

• The post holder may be expected to deliver designs/projects to an agreed budget

UK Eyes Only:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions.  This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.  If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a non-ITAR country may be considered. 

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years.  In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.

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At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

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