Location: Templecombe, United Kingdom
Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.
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 the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, 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.
Research & Technology Lead
The Research & Technology (R&T) Lead will be working within our world class Digital C4I (Command, Control, Computers, Communication and Intelligence) team, leading the delivery of a portfolio of Customer-Funded and Self-Funded R&T activities. They will also support the definition and maintenance of the Digital C4I R&T Strategy and Roadmaps. The role will require a mix of work package and engineering management, leadership of a small agile team of developers, as well as technical leadership of some aspects of the work.
The primary aim of the R&T work is to accelerate our Technology Readiness Level 4 to 6 activities towards making a positive impact for our customers. This will include application of diverse and novel technologies, such as: artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, data fusion, human autonomy teaming, human computer interaction, advanced communications, networking and cyber security.
The key roles and responsibilities include:
- Manage preparation and delivery of Digital C4I Customer Funded R&T bids and proposals.
- Manage delivery of multiple Digital C4I Customer-Funded and Self-Funded R&T projects. This may include managing deliveries from internal and external partners.
- Report on and brief senior stakeholders on the status of the Digital C4I R&T portfolio, including both technical and project management aspects.
- Lead an agile team of software and systems engineers to deliver Digital C4I R&T projects.
- Update, maintain and ensure compliance with the Digital C4I R&T Engineering Management Plan
- Technically lead some aspects of the work, particularly in the Tactical Command and Control (C2) innovation area.
- Support the Digital C4I Chief Technologist in the definition and maintenance of the Digital C4I R&T Strategy and Roadmaps and actively aligning the associated action plans with our counterparts elsewhere in Thales.
- Drive a programme of continuous improvement for Digital C4I R&T Delivery, and help to embed these more widely across Thales, as appropriate.
About You
- You may have worked for, or with, a variety of military and civilian organisations, including NATO, UK MOD, Dstl, DASA, ARIA, Horizon Europe, UKRI, Innovate UK, Research Councils, Royal Academies/Societies, central/devolved government departments and Local Enterprise Partnerships.
- Experience of writing grant-funding bids, or coordinating collaborative projects will be particularly useful
- You may never have worked inside Defence before
- You may have experience with wider innovation management activities in other sectors, handling aspects of invention and intellectual property.
- You may have relevant software development experience, including in Agile software engineering management, or specific competence as a Scrum Master.
About Digital C4I inside IAS
In an increasingly unpredictable world, how we deploy AI across human-machine teams will be key to decision superiority in the current and the next-generation's battlespace.
We are in the middle of a revolution in the Maritime, and more specifically, the Underwater Battlespace. While new technologies like AI are unlocking previously out of reach concepts, technology alone is not the answer. We must look at ways in which technologies can be optimised for the use by the operator. Our operators are dealing with more data. Our command teams must manage more assets and capabilities - but also face deliberate efforts to erode trust, to develop uncertainty and to disrupt our data, information and knowledge. The operational risks mean making decisions in less time with higher operational tempos.
Thales is a key player in trusted, cyber-secure, transparent, explainable, and ethical AI, serving the armed forces, aircraft manufacturers, and critical infrastructure operators. The Group employs over 600 engineers specializing in AI, and around 100 PhD students are conducting their research in this field.
In this role, you will help to research and develop key capabilities that can be inserted into Thales UK's C4I products: ACE and MD MSS.
ACE (Agile C4I at the Edge)is a lightweight C4I system for use at the forward edge of the battlefield specifically focused on hard kill effects. It supports the higher-tempo operations of the future and incorporates AI to reduce operator overload through machine speed automation.
MD MSS (Multi-Domain Mission Support System)is a C4I Mission Support System for the support of military operations. MD MSS provides a secure and dynamic information management hub enabling user collaboration and interoperability.
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In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.
At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.
Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.
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