System Engineering Manager

Location: Tubize, Belgium Thales people architect solutions at the heart of the defence-security continuum. Interoperable and secure information and telecommunications systems for defence, security, and civil operators, are based upon innovative use of radiocommunications, networks, and cybersecurity. We are ground breaking new digital technologies such as 4G mobile communications, cryptography, cloud computing and big data for use in physical protection systems, and critical information systems. Thales Belgium SA, Belgium competence center of Thales, is a company located on 2 sites, one in Tubize (near Brussels) and the other one in Herstal (near Liège). Thales Belgium, which employs more than 230 collaborators, is specialized in the design, development and supply of critical information systems for customers in the sectors of Defense, Security (including Cyber), Transport and Aerospace.

Main Responsibilities:

You are responsible for the management of the solution engineering activities. You work with a multidisciplinary team for Projects all along their lifecycle in cooperation with the Program Manager and the PDA.

• You define the system development cycle and define the process, practices and tools (PP&T) applicable to the product / project based on the Thales reference system and tailored based on project specific constraints (eg. tools imposed by the Customer). Those elements are reported in the corresponding Development Plans.
• You ensure global consistency of the engineering process, practices and tools; you organize the co-engineering and approve lower level solution elements’ or components’ engineering plans including those flown down to subcontractors and partners.
• You identify the engineering skills needed to ensure Bid / Project / Product delivery
• With the Head of Department, you ensure that the key people appointed on the Bid / Project / Product are properly skilled
• You guarantee commitments to the project including satisfaction of stakeholders requirements within constraints provided by the Architect and the Project Design Authority.
• You optimize technical work by organizing system engineering reviews and participating to those of lower level solution elements from design to validation and acceptance.
• You track competitiveness KPI, you perform root cause analysis of problems and conduct associated corrective actions (Performance initiatives) at their level
• You contribute to the Quality Assurance activities by ensuring visibility on the engineering work packages for the Bid / Project / Product QAM
• Jointly with the PDA you :
  • Identify and review the technical risks and opportunities and the related mitigation plans throughout the bid or project,
  • Prepare the DVa and submit it to the Design Authority (DA) approval,
  • Approve the main bid/project engineering reviews and deliverables,
  • Organize when appropriate technical meetings and peer reviews in order to perform the Solution technical assessment and validation.

Profile:

Educational Background

• Civil or industrial engineer, or equivalent by experience
• Languages: English and French or Dutch

Skills

Master Degree or equivalent through relevant experience with strong technical background. Minimum 5 years of experience in technical leadership.

• Combine your technical with managerial skills, organize the work of the technical teams.
• Ability to coach and support SE & IVVQ teams (leadership).
• Familiar with requirement definition and management preferably by using DOORS or equivalent tool.
• Experience or references with software and hardware engineering activities.
• Management of the life cycle of the System development (specifications, development, testing)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Innovative, creative, good team player. Motivator. Ability to build contacts with internal and external key actors.
• Autonomy and proactivity.
• Customers and subcontractors relationships experience
• Strong knowledge of English is required. In addition, the candidate should preferably be fluent in French and/or Dutch.

Required abilities

• Stress resistant, autonomy, sense of initiative
• Versatility and flexibility
• Interdisciplinary and creative, end-to-end commitment, focused and persistent
• Team player, coaching and communication skills

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