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Thales

Global defense and aerospace electronics

Head of Biometric Engineering

Engineering LeadershipConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeGémenos, FranceNo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

  • A Bac+5 degree in engineering, computer science, or a similar field is required.
  • At least 20 years of experience, including significant experience managing complex international engineering organizations.
  • Experience managing and transforming large-scale engineering organizations.
  • Experience across software, hardware, systems, information technology, security, cloud, and artificial intelligence environments.
  • Experience with Lean and Agile methodologies.
  • Experience with biometric technologies and government programs.
  • Experience integrating complex systems and solutions.
  • Experience leading technological transformation and industrializing innovation, particularly around artificial intelligence.
  • Experience with workforce planning, upskilling, and evolving the Engineering footprint strategy.
  • Experience managing Engineering performance and connecting delivery, customer satisfaction, and financial performance.
  • Professional spoken and written English proficiency is required.

Responsibilities

  • Define and implement long-term Engineering and Technology strategy and short-term plans in alignment with IBS's profitable growth ambitions.
  • Lead an Engineering Performance Plan to strengthen organizational maturity and competitiveness by optimizing processes, tools, expertise, and Lean Engineering practices.
  • Identify and industrialize differentiating technologies and transform Engineering through artificial intelligence to accelerate innovation and deliver business impact.
  • Own end-to-end product delivery and the Engineering roadmap, meeting on-time, on-quality, and on-cost commitments; use customer-project feedback to improve product industrialization and protect margins.
  • Develop and deploy a global skills-development and upskilling strategy, as well as an Engineering footprint strategy that anticipates technology needs and maintains organizational flexibility and competitiveness.
  • Lead the ongoing transformation of the Engineering organization toward a more product-oriented model and stronger integration capabilities in customer-specific environments.
  • Identify and address critical technical gaps in biometric solutions, accelerate AI-led Engineering transformation, and strengthen system- and solution-integration capabilities.
  • Represent IBS Engineering within the CDI Global Business Unit and Thales Group Engineering, advocating Engineering performance and the Business Line's technical strategy.
  • Contribute to Business Project Reviews by connecting technical execution, operational performance, and financial performance.
  • Directly lead an organization of more than 300 employees and coordinate a cross-functional community of 600 Engineering experts across 12 countries, building a high-performance, collaborative, and engaged culture.
  • Unite an international organization spanning software, systems, and hardware, with major operations in the Czech Republic, Spain, France, the United States, and Italy.
  • Lead the transformation of the global Engineering footprint as a key driver of IBS competitiveness.

Desired Qualifications

  • Leadership, ability to define a vision and drive change, customer and business orientation, ability to influence and unite international stakeholders, autonomy, creativity, decision-making ability, teamwork, and commitment to team development are cited as strengths.

About the Company

Thales

Global defense and aerospace electronics

Thales designs and delivers critical technology for aerospace, defense, and digital security. Its products include electronics, software, and data-security systems that power air travel, payments, and modern military platforms, by integrating hardware and software to build systems such as avionics, radar, cybersecurity, and secure communications that collect sensor data and protect networks. It stands out through deep industrial experience, end-to-end solutions across defense, aerospace, and cybersecurity, and a focus on AI and quantum tech, aided by strategic acquisitions and 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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