IVVQ Operational Lead (Submarines) in West Kilbride

Thales people provide armed forces customers with operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of 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. 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.

Primary Purpose Of The Role

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. As part of this opportunity, you will be a member of the team focusing on the delivery of Submarine based Sonar systems and their associated training facilities. Your primarily role will be to apply Operational experience to the product and system design lifecycle.

Principal Relationships

• 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
• End Users
• Customers during Acceptance activities

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

• Lead the Operational assessment of Submarine Sonars throughout all activities in the IVVQ domain from an Operational perspective.
• Apply Operational experience to the product and system design lifecycle.
• Contribute to System Design Reviews and Working Groups with customer community.
• Adopt an innovative approach wrt solving significant technical issues with an operational perspective.
• Recommend solutions or alternatives with an authority derived from a recognised close understanding of the end users requirement.
• Support the definition and conduct of Sea Acceptance Trials activities in order demonstrate Compliance with Customer Requirements.
• Identify business development opportunities through close working relationship with the end user community.
• Anticipate, interpret and communicate effectively, highlighting potential opportunities to the relevant business sector.
• Support Sales and Marketing events and equipment demonstrations with reference to platform experience.
• Support the design and delivery of training packages to Operational Staff for 1st of class Platform equipment in the factory and at Sea, ensuring a smooth Introduction into Service for the equipment.
• Share specialised knowledge and experience with colleagues playing an active role in their development.

Key Performance Indicators Against Responsibilities And Tasks

• Quality of work produced against agreed standards
• Delivery to timescales
• Delivery to budget
• Performance against Thales key behaviours
• Attendance
• Performance against mandatory training

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively with Customer and End‑User community.
• Ability to apply significant Operational experience to product development.
• Ability to articulate Operational needs into requirements definition.
• Knowledge of Office tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work as a key member of the team.

Experience

The IVVQ Operational Lead should have significant experience from Submarine Operational Environment regards the associated Sonars, Command and Control Systems and the roles undertaken. Ability to deliver training courses to Operators and Command team. Knowledge of Sonar architectures. Understanding of the effect of the Maritime Environment on Sonar performance. The post holder should have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate at all levels in the spoken and written word. A good outward appearance, self‑motivation 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

• 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: 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: 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.

Essential

Engineering Degree or equivalent RN Operational Experience. Please note that all applicants must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

Financial / Budgetary Responsibility

The post holder may be expected to deliver projects to an agreed budget. 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.

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. Great journeys start here, apply now!