Software Engineering Manager/ Software Team Lead in Cheadle

Location: Cheadle, United Kingdom

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. Location: Cheadle, full-time hybrid working with 3 days in the office, willing to support with relocation package.

Step into a role where your software leadership shapes mission‑critical defence technology!

What the role has to offer:

• Lead the Software That Powers Mission‑Critical Defence Systems
• Own the Delivery of Complex, High‑Value Software Work Packages
• Grow Your Career in a World‑Class Engineering Environment

Our Opportunity: We’re looking for an accomplished software engineering professional ready to elevate their impact by combining deep technical expertise with strong delivery leadership. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the crossroads of software engineering, project management and technical direction – shaping how software is built while ensuring complex work packages land successfully. A solid software engineering background with hands‑on experience across the full software development lifecycle is essential, however you do not need to be a “hands‑on” developer for this role.

You’ll operate across two closely connected domains: Software Engineering Management and Software Work Package Management. Together, they give you the scope to influence engineering strategy while owning the delivery of critical software outcomes. In Software Engineering Management (SWEM), you’ll define and embed the processes, practices and standards that enable high‑quality, reliable software development. You’ll select the right methodologies, lifecycles and tools, and ensure the technical and human resources are organised effectively to deliver at pace and scale. In Software Work Package Management (SWPM), you’ll take full ownership of delivering a clearly defined scope of work – meeting customer expectations within agreed cost, schedule and quality commitments. You’ll plan, coordinate and monitor progress, manage risks proactively, and keep delivery aligned throughout the entire lifecycle.

The role may involve occasional travel to client sites and other Thales UK locations, so flexibility and confidence working across different environments will serve you well.

We welcome applications from experienced Senior Software Engineers and Senior Software Developers and/or Scrum Masters ready for their next step, as well as established Software Development Team Leads, Software Engineering Team Leaders, Software Supervisors, and Software Engineering Leads seeking a fresh challenge and greater delivery responsibility.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Ensure relevant department/product/project management plans are kept up to date and the correct level of governance is executed for the products/projects
• Ensure development is performed in accordance with these plans
• Liaise with Project Customers as required
• Plan, coordinate and monitor the performance of the work, identify and manage risks during all the Work Package lifecycle until the closure
• Deliver work package to timescales and budget ensuring any scope changes are identified and managed
• Capture and monitor metrics appropriate to each stage of the project's/product's lifecycle, and enact plans to continuously improve the project/product development
• Review Engineering Forward Load with SWEM and Head of SW Delivery
• Contribute to bid activities regarding estimates, project scheduling and bid gate review inputs
• Proactive in expanding your professional knowledge; seeking opportunities both within and outside of Thales to develop your professional knowledge in software, engineering and management
• Develop necessary skills and experience through training (on the job, classroom, e-learning), mentoring and feedback
• Encourage innovation of ideas as common practice encouraging new technology and techniques
• Provide support to less experienced members of the team, ensuring they are performing to the correct procedures and are not struggling in their work
• Lead by example and utilise the Thales Leadership model to create a high performing culture and coaching environment

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.

Essential:

• Degree‑qualified or equivalent professional experience
• Strong background in Software Engineering with hands‑on experience across the full Software Development Lifecycle
• Demonstrated ability to apply engineering project delivery processes throughout the complete project lifecycle, with awareness of commercial considerations
• Practical experience with agile methodologies and associated practices
• Proficiency in configuration control and change management
• Experience in requirements management, software design, and software development
• Involvement in Integration and Verification activities
• Experience identifying, assessing, and managing project risks
• Exposure to bid management and estimation techniques
• Solid understanding of current trends, tools, and technologies in modern software engineering
• Competence with industry‑standard software engineering toolsets

Beneficial:

• Extensive, proven experience in a software delivery role, including oversight of outputs from multiple integrated Software Development, Integration, Verification, Validation, and Qualification teams
• Experience managing multi‑million‑pound software work packages
• Background in multi‑site and multi‑country development within complex stakeholder environments
• Experience managing software‑related sub‑contracts
• Familiarity with specific management toolsets such as Atlassian Jira and Windchill PLM

Step into a role where your expertise truly matters. Apply now and be part of building a future we can all trust!

Security Clearance Statement:

This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance.

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.

Great journeys start here, apply now!