Integration and Test Manager - Flight Avionics (FLX)

Crawley

Job Description Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

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.

Integration and Test Manager - Flight Avionics (FLX)

Location: Manor Royal, Crawley

Hybrid working (3-4 days at Thales site)

About This Role…

In this role, you will be leading the Integration and Test activities on our next generation SATCOM development programme, Thales FlytLINK. The FlytLINK solution provides connectivity for airborne platforms through establishing data-links with the Iridium constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and their associated ground infrastructure. The FlytLINK product line is targeting multiple markets including air transport (civil and military), business aviation and UAVs.

This is a key role within the Flight Avionics (FLX) Connectivity Competency Centre’s (CCC) engineering delivery team, where you will be working within a highly collaborative and multi-disciplined engineering team, accountable for delivery against our commitments in respect of Integration, Verification, Validation and Qualification (IVVQ).

Key Responsibilities…

Responsible for:

Definition of the core IVVQ strategy for the FlytLINK product.

Definition of the scope of work for IVVQ aspects, providing detailed estimates and operational plans to deliver against this scope. This shall include supporting any bids for specific customer development programmes as they arise.

Creation, maintenance and assurance of execution in accordance with IVVQ plans.

Conducting reviews of internally and externally generated technical artefacts including requirements specifications, ICDs/IDDs, design and architecture documentation.

Managing and coordinating tasks within the IVVQ engineering team, leading by example to ensure the delivery of all IVVQ work products on time, to cost and to the required quality.

Organising all engineering (governance) reviews associated with the IVVQ phases of the product development lifecycle.

Supporting and/or hosting customer meetings, leading product demonstrations with customers and other key stakeholders.

To lead, and directly contribute to:

Preparation of the necessary lab-based Integration and Test environment, working in close collaboration with the Avionics lab manager, including the implementation of automated test infrastructure where appropriate.

Creation and execution of solution Integration processes and procedures.

Generation of Verification test requirements and test cases, linking these into the FlytLINK requirements data model to ensure satisfactory coverage and traceability.

Creation and execution of Verification test procedures in accordance with test plan/schedule, including the subsequent analysis of test results and management of defects.

Creation, review and acceptance of Verification test reports and the provision of airworthiness data in support of Certification aspects.

Preparation and maintenance of IVVQ metrics to ensure clarity in progress monitoring, decision making and KPI reporting to internal and external stakeholders.

Acquiring Qualification evidence in collaboration with the Environmental/EMC engineering team.

System verification activities in support of obtaining Iridium Type Approval.

Planning and successfully conducting Flight Trials during solution operational Validation.

Collation of Verification evidence and population of the FlytLINK Verification Cross Reference Matrices (VCRMs) in support of system certification and customer acceptance.

Essential (knowledge, Skills And Experience)…

An experienced engineering professional, who has worked across the engineering development lifecycle and has previously undertaken a delivery focused leadership role.

Experience of managing the Integration and Verification activities for complex Systems.

Understanding of Systems Engineering principles and practises, including lifecycle definition and tailoring concepts.

Experience of leading and motivating an engineering team, recognising good performance, tackling underperformance and supporting the development of staff.

An excellent track record of delivering personal commitments to cost and schedule, with outputs meeting the satisfaction of the customer.

Is a team player with a ‘can-do’ attitude that performs effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment, promoting the values of inclusiveness and diversity.

Excellent communications skills, both verbally and written, with the ability to present and explain technical and complex problems, tailored appropriately for the audience.

An ability to work with combinations of technologies and to integrate and verify them in a logical and structured way into a system in order to fully satisfy a customer’s requirements.

Capable of representing the engineering view of programmes to all stakeholders of the programme (internal and external), and able to communicate complex technical issues or ideas in a manner appropriate for the audience.

Understands the process of Work Package Management for development programmes; including planning, risk & opportunity management, and scheduling.

Understands the importance of following and continuously developing engineering process, and tracking progress through the use of appropriate engineering metrics.

Experience of interfacing with third party organisations (customers, suppliers, external bodies)

Desirable (but Not Essential)…

Minimum of a Bachelor Degree (BEng, BSc) in a numerate, scientific or engineering subject or higher education/equivalent training and experience.

An understanding of the Aerospace domain and Avionics systems, specifically communications systems and how they interrelate/interconnect.

Experience of tools including IBM Rational DOORS, JIRA and elements of the Orchestra toolset (e.g. Vivaldi, Mozart, Reqtify).

Understanding of Avionics certification requirements and previous experience of working with airworthiness organisations (e.g. EASA/CAA/FAA).

Working environment…

The Flight Avionics business in the UK is predominantly based at our flagship site in Crawley, featuring access to a wide variety of resources including manufacturing, environmental and electromagnetic test facilities and specialised laboratories. The modern site includes a subsidised restaurant, a café, break out spaces, bicycle storage facilities and more. Our environment is designed to encourage collaborative working, and you will be surrounded by many specialists with extensive knowledge in their fields. Proactive individuals will find that there are many opportunities available in such a large and multi-disciplinary organisation, which makes Thales an excellent career choice.

As a People 1st Employer, we are passionate about providing you with opportunities to advance your engineering career and are committed to giving our employees the support they need to reach their professional goals. This includes support in submission of Chartership applications, funding INCOSE and professional (e.g. IET/RAeS) memberships, and access to a wide variety of learning resources through our comprehensive e-Learning engine. Training courses coupled with our established mentoring and coaching programmes, offer fantastic opportunities for people committed to professional development to enhance their skill set.

What We Can Offer

We’re committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you’ll have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.

Benefits At Thales

Alongside a competitive base salary, we offer a variable compensation plan bonus and benefits package, which includes;

Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00pm

Pension Scheme

28 days annual leave (Plus Bank Holidays)

Life Cover and private health cover

Progression and Development Opportunities

24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app

Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers

Development focused targets and relocation support can be provided if required along with a variety of learning, development and career enhancement opportunities.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.