AI Assurance Lead in Bristol

Location: Crawley, United Kingdom

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible. 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.

About Thales UK: Thales is a global leader in technology solutions for critical domains, including aerospace, defence, transport, and digital security. Our UK teams create innovative solutions, enabling safer, smarter societies. We are committed to responsible AI development and deployment in all our solutions, especially within cortAIx – Thales’ AI accelerator.

Purpose of the Role: As the AI Assurance Lead, you will champion the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of AI assurance practices across Thales UK’s AI and machine learning projects. You will ensure that the AI solutions developed and deployed within cortAIx adhere to high standards of ethics, safety, reliability, and legal compliance, supporting the business in delivering trusted, robust AI-enabled systems. You’ll act as a key partner to the Chief AI Officer, advising on assurance strategies for both legacy and new systems.

Location(s): Crawley or Reading or Cheadle or Bristol or Glasgow or any other Thales site in the UK.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and Implement AI Assurance Frameworks: Create and maintain comprehensive assurance frameworks for AI systems, ensuring alignment with internal and external standards (e.g. ISO/IEC, NIST, UK/EU, UK Defence standards and regulations).
• Governance and Risk Management: Lead AI risk assessments and compliance checks, identifying and mitigating risks related to safety, ethics, data privacy, robustness, and explainability.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with engineering, product management, legal, and operational teams to ensure AI assurance requirements are captured and met throughout project lifecycles.
• Audit and Review: Manage independent assurance audits, drive continuous improvement through lessons learned, and report key findings and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Training and Awareness: Develop and deliver AI assurance training, promoting a culture of responsible innovation throughout Thales UK’s AI community.
• Reporting & Documentation: Lead the creation and maintenance of assurance documentation, evidencing compliance for internal and external stakeholders.
• External Engagement: Represent Thales UK in relevant industry forums, regulatory engagements, and standardisation activities related to AI assurance and trustworthiness.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience in AI/ML assurance, validation, governance or compliance within highly regulated or safety-critical domains.
• Deep understanding of AI/ML technologies and their risk landscape (bias, explainability, robustness, etc).
• Sound knowledge of national/international AI assurance standards and regulatory frameworks.
• Demonstrable expertise in risk management, audit, and quality assurance methodologies.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage technical and non-technical audiences, including senior stakeholders.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams within complex organisations.
• Relevant degree (e.g. computer science, engineering, mathematics, information security); advanced or professional qualifications an advantage.

Behaviours and Values:

• High integrity and commitment to ethical innovation.
• Proactive, solution-oriented, and impact-focussed.
• Collaborative leadership style, able to influence across disciplines.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

What We Offer:

• The opportunity to shape the future of responsible AI at cortAIx Thales UK.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Access to training, professional development and Thales global AI communities.
• Competitive salary, benefits, and a vibrant, inclusive workplace.

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. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance. 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.

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. Great journeys start here, apply now!