Product Line Architect - Fuzing Systems

Job description

Location: Reading, 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 five major industries; Aerospace, Defence, Ground Transportation, 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.

Product Line Architect - Fuzing Systems

Location: Reading, Green Park

Hybrid Working (Minimum 3 days at office)

Are you experienced in the architecture and specification of Fuzing systems with a broad knowledge of the related weapon system context and operational needs? Would you like to work in an established product area within a positive, supportive multidiscipline research and development team with a leading role in architecting the next generation products?

Our opportunity:

Thales Missile Electronics Ltd, specializes in the manufacturing of missile electronic systems and sub-systems, including missile proximity fuzing, anti-armour weapon systems, seekers and inertial guidance systems, telemetry and secure missile data links, millimetre-wave battlefield sensors etc. You will be working with a team who are researching/designing and developing next generation products at component level.

This role is primarily based at Green Park, Reading. There may be occasional domestic travel required to other Thales sites, partners or customers. Due to the needs of the role this role is predominantly based on site, however, Thales has a hybrid-working model that enables home working when this is suitable for the activities being conducted.

The Role:

The Fuzing Product Line Architect is be responsible for product architecture, technical choices & roadmaps throughout the lifecycle of all products within the Fuzing Product Line.

• Acts as the lead architect for the Fuzing Product Line.
• Analyses the Product needs/requirements (as approved by the Missile Electronics Business Lead /PLM) to define the Product technical solutions, including architecture and technical choices, with the best trade-off between those requirements and: schedule, NRC/RC costs, Core/Non-core & Strategic Make-Team-Buy, maintainability objectives and risks & opportunities.
• Works closely with the Chief Technologist Fuzing Systems and under guidance from the Missile Electronics Technical Director to ensure that the identified product architecture solutions are technically feasible, exploit appropriate technical innovation and are compatible with achieving compliance with future needs.
• Defines & manages Product Line Engineering (PLE), product variability, commonality & re-use across the Product line & throughout the product lifecycle.
• Within the product architecture, seeks to maximise re-use of common building blocks/technology across the Fuzing Product Line.
• Under the responsibility of the Missile Electronics Business Lead / PLM, prepares the technical part of the Product Plan: Product technical definition & functionalities, architecture & building blocks, technical roadmap, R&D Budget requirements, Competition products technical analysis, Core/Non-Core analysis and related Strategic Make-Team-Buy.
• Supports the strategy and preparation of fuzing research bids and estimates to secure external funding
• Acts as PDA and Research Project manager for key customer funded fuzing studies of strategic importance, acting as the Thales primary interface with the customer.
• Alerts the Missile Electronics Business Lead / PLM and Technical Director when technical issues arise in the Product Line.
• Participates in system level design reviews of products being developed within Product Line.
• Has the right to participate in Engineering reviews, technical meetings or peer reviews during the fuze bid or project.
• Participates in Fuzing Product Decision Reviews.
• Works closely with Fuzing Design Authority and associated Project Design Authorities (PDAs).
• For a Product development: verifies the implementation of the Product Policy (including PLE) by the PDA during the Product Bid & Development Phase.
• From a matrix manager perspective, the PLA (Fuzing Systems) shall report to the Missile Electronics Business Lead.
• From a discipline perspective, the PLA (Fuzing Systems) shall report to the Missile electronics Technical Director.

About You:

• Experienced in the architecture definition and specification of Electronic Safe & Arm Fuzing Systems for guided weapons, required to operate in harsh environments
• Aware of the relevant Fuzing standards (e.g. STANAG 4187) and their application to the design and architecture of Fuzing Systems
• Experienced in the architecture definition and specification of lidar/radar Proximity Sensors for Fuzing applications in guided weapons, required to operate in harsh environments
• Degree qualified or equivalent in either Electronics or in Physics
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in compiling quality presentation material and presenting clearly to customers and at conferences

Desirable, though not essential:

• Experienced in the detailed design of electronic safety logic circuitry and high voltage charging and firing circuits
• Experienced / familiar with the use of programmable logic devices in safety systems
• Aware of EMC requirements and related design practices to achieve compliance
• Experienced in the specification, design and development of Proximity Fuzing Sensors for guided weapons, employing miniature lidar and/or radar technologies
• Appreciation of design for test and manufacturing processes
• Experienced in both Safe & Arm Units and Proximity Fuzing Sensors is desirable but not essential if the candidate has sound knowledge in one of the two areas.

Security Clearance statement

This role requires SC level security clearance at UK eyes only (Either current or ability to gain full clearance is essential) . For more information and guidance, please visit the UKSV website.

What We Can Offer

We're committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you'll have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.

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 and private health 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
• Development focused targets and relocation support can be provided if required along with a variety of learning, development and career enhancement opportunities.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

#LI-RS1

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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