Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead software delivery projects and manage engineering processes for defence systems.
- Company: Join Thales, a leader in defence technology with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence technology while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Degree-qualified with experience in software delivery and agile methodologies.
- Other info: Flexible working patterns and excellent career growth opportunities await you.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Cheadle, United KingdomThales 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
Security Level UK Sole National
UK Sole National due to the nature of the work and associated customer(s). Important – For this role, due to government security requirements, the term UK Sole Nationals must exclude anyone who is a dual national or naturalised British (i.e. originally a foreign national)
The role covers the related activities of Software Engineering Management and Software Work Package Management.
Software Engineering Management (SWEM) includes the establishment and execution of the appropriate processes, practices and standards for the software development to be undertaken. This includes the selection of appropriate methodologies, lifecycles and tools. It also includes the identification, organisation and management of resources (human and technical) required to undertake the development.
Software Work Package Management (SWPM) includes responsibility for the delivery of a defined scope of work to meet specific customer needs within committed cost, time and quality constraints agreed for the project/product. It includes the planning, monitoring and control of the work, identifying and managing risks throughout the work-package duration.
Some travel to client sites and occasionally other Thales UK sites may be required. Therefore, flexibility to travel and work at other locations is desirable.
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 and culture and coaching environment
Experience
Essential:
Background in Software Engineering and experience of the Software Development Lifecycle
Knowledge and proven application of engineering project delivery and processes across the full project lifecycle with cognisance of commercial impacts
Knowledge and experience of agile methodologies and practices
Experience of configuration control and change management
Experience of requirements management, software design and development
Experience of Integration and Verification activities
Experience of risk management
Experience of bid management and estimation techniques
Good understanding of current trends in software engineering development techniques and technologies
Experience in the use of industry standard software engineering toolset
Beneficial:
Substantial and proven experience in a SW Delivery role that includes the management of deliveries from multiple integrated SW Development and Integration, Verification, Validation and Qualification teams.
Experience of managing multi-million-pound SW Work packages
Experience of multi-site/multi country development within a complex stakeholder environment
Experience of SW sub-contract management
Experience in specific management toolsets – Atlassian Jira, Windchill PLM
Qualifications
Essential:
Degree-qualified or equivalent.
Values & Behaviours
The successful candidate will demonstrate behaviours that are consistent with the Leadership at Thales Model:
·Think Big
·Make It Happen
·Together
Security Clearance
Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance – United Kingdom Security Vetting – GOV.UK (
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.
What we can offer:
The Work Environment
At Thales, we believe in flexible SMART working and have the expectation this role will be delivered through a combination of remote and office based collaborative working. When working in the office, you will be based at the largest Thales site in the UK, featuring access to a wide variety of resources including manufacturing, environmental and electromagnetic test facilities and specialised laboratories. The modern site includes a subsidised restaurant, a café, break out spaces, bicycle storage facilities and more.
Benefits at Thales
Alongside a competitive base salary, we offer a variable compensation plan bonus and benefits package, which includes:
Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00pm
Pension Scheme
28 days annual leave (Plus Bank Holidays)
Life Cover
Progression and Development Opportunities
24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.
#LI-VG1
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!
Software Delivery Lead employer: Thales
Contact Detail:
Thales Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Delivery Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their mission and values, especially how they relate to defence and software delivery. This will help you tailor your answers and show you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions and scenarios related to software delivery and project management. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Thales.
We think you need these skills to ace Software Delivery Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Software Delivery Lead role. Highlight your knowledge of agile methodologies and project delivery processes, as these are key to what we’re looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of your past experiences in software engineering management and how they align with our mission at Thales.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading teams, make sure to highlight any leadership experiences you have. We want to see how you’ve developed high-performing cultures and supported less experienced team members in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Thales.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thales
✨Know Your Software Delivery Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of software delivery processes and agile methodologies. Be ready to discuss your experience with project lifecycle management, configuration control, and risk management. This will show that you understand the core responsibilities of the role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading teams and mentoring less experienced members, think of examples where you've successfully led a project or team. Highlight how you fostered a high-performing culture and encouraged innovation. This will resonate well with their leadership values.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to software design, integration, and verification activities. Brush up on industry-standard toolsets like Atlassian Jira and Windchill PLM. Being able to speak confidently about these tools will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Show Your Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Thales values continuous improvement, so be prepared to discuss how you've implemented metrics to monitor project performance and enacted plans for improvement. Share specific examples of how you've expanded your professional knowledge and skills in software engineering.
