Job Description

Location: Belfast, 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.

Systems Engineer - IVVQ Manager
Location: based in Belfast, minimum 3 days/ week in office (hybrid), with <20% domestic & international travel
Other: permanent, full-time

Join Thales and play a pivotal role in delivering cutting-edge defence technology while developing your expertise across systems integration, verification and customer acceptance.

What the role has to offer

• End-to-end Systems Engineering & IVVQ ownership on mission-critical projects

• Exceptional career development, Chartership support and expert pathways

• Exposure to cutting-edge technology, customers and complex defence programmes worldwide

Our Opportunity

As we continue to grow, we're looking for a Systems Engineer - IVVQ Manager to help deliver cutting-edge, mission-critical technologies that make a real-world impact. Working across the full systems engineering lifecycle, you'll lead Integration, Verification, Validation and Qualification activities, ensuring complex systems are seamlessly integrated, rigorously tested and successfully accepted by our customers.

Partnering with Architects, Design Authorities, Engineering Delivery Managers and customers, you'll play a pivotal role in turning requirements into high-performing solutions. You'll be a technically strong Systems Engineer with a passion for solving complex challenges, leading delivery teams and driving successful outcomes in demanding environments.

In return, you'll join a world-class engineering organisation committed to your success. With Chartership support, funded professional memberships, specialist career pathways and industry-leading development opportunities, Thales provides the platform to accelerate your career while working on technology that truly matters.

Building a Future, we can all trust.

Integrated Airspace Protection Systems (IAS) - our main purpose is to protect and defend. We provide rapid integrated solutions for detection, coordination, fire control, engagement and support. We cover three sectors: Surface Attack & Air Defence (UK), Air Defence (International) and Air Operations & Services as well as Space.

What we offer you

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package designed to support our employees’ wellbeing and professional growth, which includes:

• Performance-related bonus

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

• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)

• 24 hours volunteering paid for

• Private healthcare

• Pension scheme

• Life cover

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

• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers

• Gym membership discounts

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

In this dynamic role, you will have the opportunity to develop and refine models of critical subsystems throughout the entire product lifecycle, playing a key part in:

• Define and lead the overall IVVQ strategy, including planning, scheduling, resource forecasting and delivery estimates to ensure successful programme execution

• Lead and coordinate system Integration, Verification, Validation and Qualification activities, ensuring compliance with requirements across both Thales and customer environments

• Develop and implement test strategies, methods and acceptance criteria, overseeing testing activities and ensuring robust evidence is generated to support qualification and acceptance

• Analyse test results, manage compliance evidence and produce clear technical reports to support engineering reviews, decision-making and customer acceptance

• Identify, communicate and drive resolution of design non-compliances, ensuring issues are effectively managed with internal teams and external stakeholders

• Proactively manage IVVQ risks, providing technical guidance and mitigation recommendations to project leadership while supporting programme delivery objectives

• Collaborate closely with Customers, Architects, Design Authorities, Engineering teams and external test facilities to ensure solutions are fully integrated, verified and accepted against contractual requirements

About You

At Thales, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world’s most critical challenges.

• Proven experience delivering Integration, Verification, Validation and Qualification (IVVQ) activities within complex systems development and integration environments

• Demonstrated understanding of IVVQ principles, strategies and methodologies, including test planning, execution, reporting and compliance activities

• Acquired knowledge of Systems Engineering processes, practices and lifecycles, with the ability to operate effectively across the end-to-end product lifecycle

• Proven experience leading technical teams through product IVVQ cycles, driving successful integration, verification, validation and delivery outcomes

• Demonstrated experience of continuous integration, verification and validation activities, applying a structured approach to ensure systems meet customer and operational requirements

• Proven experience managing requirements capture, decomposition and traceability, including the flow-down of requirements to lower-level specifications and verification activities

• Demonstrated strength in communication, technical writing and analytical problem-solving, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly and confidently to customers, stakeholders and cross-functional teams across multi-site and multicultural environments

• Acquired qualifications and technical proficiency, including a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification and experience) in an Engineering, Scientific or Numerate discipline, together with experience using Systems Engineering tools such as DOORS, Polarion, JIRA, Confluence or similar, and exposure to supplier and customer acceptance testing, compliance matrices and requirements sell-off activities

Take the next step in your systems engineering career and apply now to join Thales' growing IVVQ community!

Security Clearance Requirement:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). 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.

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.

Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!