Systems Engineer

Underwater Sensor Systems Engineer

Thales UK provides operational advantage for armed forces customers worldwide. We deliver defence mission systems solutions at land, sea, and air. Our platforms extend across the battlespace including Above and Sonar, Electronic Combat, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems.

Our purpose is to be the leading provider of underwater sensor systems and decision superiority. We're helping navies across the globe keep the world, our friends, our families, and all of us safe.

In Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW), we put huge numbers of sensors on every submarine, which locate and provide data about other submarines and objects. Our world-leading sonar technology is used across the entire UK submarine fleet.

The primary purpose of this role is to support your Engineering Delivery Manager (EDM) and the bid/project team to design, develop, and deliver complex systems on-time and on-budget through good systems engineering practices in order to meet our goals.

As part of the Thales Systems Engineering process, you will interact with the following key roles:

• Engineers at all levels
• Engineering Delivery Managers
• Product Design Authorities
• Programme and Project Managers
• Supply Chain members
• Commercial team members
• Testing and Installation team members
• Sales and Marketing

The list below is not exhaustive nor will individuals be expected to be able to undertake all of them. They are given as a guide as to the expected duties of the grade.

• 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.
• Good understanding of the systems development lifecycle and lifecycle products.
• Writing and execution of Test Specifications including:
• Writing of test plans and test strategy documents
• Writing of test specifications, working from system requirements
• Execute test specifications (according to test plan and project schedule)
• Record results of test execution
• Raise/investigate/verify defects
• Maintain quality target/standard
• Able to create outline designs from requirements using a variety of design toolsets. Similarly, creates new concepts or modifies existing concepts to fulfil requirements where necessary.
• Prepares system and 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.
• Accurately reports work progress and estimates to complete against work packages assigned by line manager.
• Investigates problems in the field or with the systems documentation.
• Develop, implement and maintain tools relevant to the Systems Engineering function. Assist in the assessment of relevant tools to encourage continuous improvement.
• Keep abreast of technical development both within and outside of the company.
• Produce quality metrics to measure the soundness of the System Engineering and to support your EDM in reporting progress.
• Working with project planners to provide detailed input to specific project programs.
• Represent System Engineering at formal Design Reviews, with particular attention to the reduction of design risks.
• With your line manager, continue your professional growth through regular check-ins and development discussions.

Key Performance Indicators against Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Quality of work produced against agreed standards
• Delivery to timescales
• Delivery to budget
• Performance against Thales Values and Behaviours
• Attendance
• Performance against mandatory training

Expected Competence Level:

• Able to use a range of IT tools
• Has a sound ability to use System Engineering tools (e.g. DOORS, Polarion, MBSE, etc.)
• Understands configuration management of a system
• Has worked on development projects guided by a defined process.
• Can produce metrics as part of Quality Control
• A working knowledge of project plans
• Has a working knowledge of Engineering Safety Management

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. Enthusiasm and self-motivation to build incredible systems 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.

Values & Behaviours:

As our business continues to evolve and grow, it's important that we have clear accountability for our respective roles and what it takes to be successful. Therefore, everyone is expected to develop their behaviours along three key factors, each of which have two streams as shown below:

• Think Big:
• Imagine the Future: See ahead to design new, different and simplified solutions that will anticipate and address tomorrow’s business needs and challenges.
• Inspire to Engage: Shares a compelling vision, leads with integrity and engages stakeholders.
• Make It Happen:
• Deliver User-centric Solutions: Create customer intimacy, listen fully and be accountable for creating value for the client and for Thales.
• Act with Agility: Challenges the status quo, takes smart risks and fosters continuous improvement.
• Together:
• Grow Others and Self: Invest energy to develop self and others, ensuring individual and organizational potential is maximised.
• Include Others: Empower others, embrace diversity in partnering beyond organizational boundaries to achieve common goals.

We want a safe and positive environment for all of us to grow, share knowledge and support each other so that we can all work at our best and be proud of our achievements.

Desirable Qualifications and Certification:

HNC/HND/Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent.

Essential:

• Please note that all applicants must be eligible for SC clearance as well as being a sole UK National as this is a UK Eyes Only programme, as a minimum.
• Have attained or working towards an appropriate professional status (CEng) or equivalent.
• Please note, we are sadly not able to consider any person who holds dual citizenship.

Financial / Budgetary Responsibility:

Not Applicable