Engineering Delivery Manager

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.

Engineering Delivery Manager
Location: based in Belfast, minimum 3 days/ week in office (hybrid), with <10% domestic travel
Other: permanent, full-time

Lead the delivery of cutting-edge defence and airspace protection solutions, guiding multidisciplinary engineering teams through the full system lifecycle while shaping the future of mission-critical technology.

What the role has to offer

• Own end-to-end engineering delivery - take the lead on complex, high-impact programmes from requirements capture and architecture through to integration, validation and qualification, with real influence over technical strategy and programme success

• Work on technology that protects and defends - join Thales' Integrated Airspace Protection Systems business, delivering innovative defence solutions that support air defence, air operations and space capabilities on a global scale

• Balance career growth with genuine flexibility - benefit from a hybrid working model, half-day finish every Friday, performance bonus, private healthcare and extensive wellbeing support, all while working within a collaborative engineering environment

Our Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Engineering team for an experienced Engineering Delivery Manager to lead multidisciplinary teams in the delivery of complex engineering solutions. Responsible for the full system and product lifecycle, from requirements capture and concept development through to integration, validation and qualification, you will provide technical leadership, drive engineering excellence, and ensure delivery against programme, cost, quality and compliance objectives. Working closely with customers, partners, suppliers and internal stakeholders, you will play a key role in shaping engineering strategy and delivering innovative solutions that meet both customer requirements and business goals.

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished engineering leader with experience managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering complex engineering programmes across the full system lifecycle. They will possess strong systems engineering expertise, with the ability to translate customer requirements into innovative, low-risk and cost-effective technical solutions while balancing performance, schedule and budget requirements. Equally important, they will be a collaborative and resilient professional who builds strong stakeholder relationships, inspires high-performing teams and thrives in challenging, fast-paced environments.

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

• Provide technical and engineering leadership to multidisciplinary teams, ensuring solutions are delivered to agreed cost, schedule and quality objectives

• Lead the planning, coordination and execution of engineering activities across the full development lifecycle, from requirements definition through to integration, validation, qualification and acceptance

• Oversee the development, management and verification of system and subsystem requirements, ensuring IVVQ activities are effectively planned, documented and delivered with a low-risk approach

• Ensure design assurance, technical certification and engineering governance activities are completed in accordance with company, regulatory and international standards

• Define and maintain Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Organisation Breakdown Structures (OBS) and associated engineering plans, ensuring achievement of programme baselines and milestones

• Optimise engineering processes, tools and environments to balance technical performance, cost, schedule and risk while supporting successful project delivery

• Work closely with the Programme Manager, customers, suppliers and industrial partners to proactively manage risks and opportunities, resolve technical challenges and ensure programme commitments are achieved

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.

Key Requirements

• Acquired Bachelor's degree (BEng, BSc) in an Engineering, Scientific or Numerate discipline, or equivalent qualifications and experience. A Master's degree (MEng, MSc) or postgraduate qualification in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or a related subject would be advantageous

• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and managing engineering delivery across complex projects, providing technical leadership and resolving cross-functional issues, risks and conflicts

• Demonstrated ability to develop, validate and deliver innovative, cost-effective engineering solutions and architectures that meet technical requirements within budget and schedule constraints

• Proven expertise in systems engineering, including requirements capture, analysis, decomposition, management and the translation of customer needs into robust technical solutions

• Acquired knowledge of system design principles, including performance, interfaces, engineering features, testability and the application of relevant development lifecycles and engineering methodologies

• Demonstrated experience managing projects through the full engineering lifecycle, from requirements analysis and architecture development through to Integration, Verification, Validation and Qualification (IVVQ)

• Proven ability to plan, monitor and control engineering activities, including cost, schedule and technical performance, ensuring delivery against programme objectives and design requirements

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, customers and stakeholders, combined with strong organisational skills and the ability to remain focused and effective under pressure

Ready to lead the delivery of next-generation defence technologies? Apply today and become part of a team that's building a future we can all trust!

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:  .

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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!