In Service Engineering Manager

The Service Delivery Engine (SDE) focuses on a holistic life cycle process through which the combination of management and engineering actions necessary to assure effective and economical through-life support of a system or capability are accomplished as an integral part of the acquisition process.

The SDE consolidates its through life support approach to help the business segments respond to the changing customer requirements such as reduction of total cost of ownership, increased reliability performance and capability-based contracting (Inc. asset management, technical support, field support, obsolescence management, performance monitoring and improvement). The In Service Engineering Manager is part of the Field Services Function of ES UK

Primary Purpose of the Role:

To provide Management of Engineering tasks and resources, Technical support to management and the project(s), undertaking technical tasks and providing answers to technical queries with the support of the larger Thales engineering community.

This role will cover a number of ISR projects and will require the employee to manage their time effectively between them. Role flexibility is paramount, with the employee being able to adapt to changing project demands.

Principal Relationships:

The jobholder has dual reporting lines in a matrix organisation. For project performance, the reporting line is through the Project Manager(s), or as otherwise determined. For functional aspects, the reporting line is through to the Function Manager.

The jobholder is required to develop networks & build key relationships to obtain 'buy-in' and cooperation in order to achieve objectives and fulfil responsibilities. Interfaces and communication shall be with all stakeholders and include, but are not limited to:

Internal Relationships (excludes direct reports):

• Functional Management;


• Project Management;


• Other Project Engineering personnel;


• Engineering Services UK;


• Engineering Team;


• Design Authority;


• Repairs organisation;


• Subcontract Management.


• Service Delivery Management and Control


External Relationships:


• The User and Customer community;


• Suppliers and repair organisations., Primary point of contact for Project specific ISR customer technical queries, technical advice on modification standards, component part numbers, and support equipment.


• Specific ISR Primary point of contact into Thales for MoD PT and other users.


• Ensure that fault investigation actions are undertaken


• Address technical concession requests.


• Provide support to internal and external progress reporting.


• Provide technical data and analyses on request to support the DRACAS process.


• Co-ordinate or undertake (as required) technical support activities at Customer/User sites.


• Identify Technical Publications update requirements, and manage and co-ordinate the closure of unsatisfactory feature reports.


• Co-ordinate requests for validation and issue of Technical Instructions, and compilation of Technical Instructions.


• Carry out technical instructions at Thales and User sites, as required.


• Support/Represent Project Management (as required) at Customer progress reviews and Management Reviews.


• Attend, support and facilitate Team Meetings.


• Participate in training development and planning activities as identified.


• Conform to Company quality procedures and standard practices.


• Identify and support Continuous Improvement strategies both internally and with the customer, as appropriate.


• Conform to Company quality & governance procedures and standard practices.


• Ensure that any product safety and airworthiness requirements are not compromised by work carried out and that all local safety procedures are adhered to.


• Adhere to relevant Company and Local Health and Safety procedures and maintain vigilance within the workplace to ensure that the working environment remains safe at all times.


• Maintain a log of all technical queries and tasks, as required.


• Co-ordinate or undertake aircraft surveys to support bid proposals at Customer/User sites.


• Provide technical data and analyses to support AMND/NFF trending.


• Ensuring all milestones, internally and externally visible, are met to schedule, with positive feedback from the customer, on performance, with adaptability and professionalism.


• Support bids and projects with the provision of technical information, technical documentation and technical support relating to ISR products and systems.


• Establishing and management of company configuration control strategy while making sure the programme management plans are updated and adhered to by the team


• Identifying opportunities and risks. Working closely with the team to provide resolution and mitigate risk


• Implement effective succession planning, ensuring high levels of knowledge sharing and cross training across different programs. Promote growth of internal talent


Key performance Indicators against Responsibilities and Tasks (professional only):


• Ensuring on time delivery within contractual scope for all requested activities.


Skills/Knowledge:

The candidate must be able to demonstrate an awareness or understanding of the following list of requirements:


• DRACAS


• Availability Modelling


• Support Solutions


• Obsolescence Engineering


• Asset Management


• Technical Author


• Field Support


• Test Methods


• Design Safety


• Support to Bids


• Risk and Opportunity Management


• Work Package Management


• People Management
  
  Strong technical background in military helicopter avionics.


• Good generic knowledge of aircraft supported equipment.


• Understanding of Microsoft Windows based IT systems


• A military technical background is desirable.


• Diligent approach to process and attention to detail


• Team player with good self-awareness


• An ability to interface well at all levels within the business, with suppliers, partners and customers


• Demonstrable aeronautical engineering experience to a Maintenance Supervisor level within Defence (preferred) or Civilian aviation environment.


• Excellent communicator with strong influencing and persuasion skills.


• Receptive to change.


• Ability to facilitate/lead specific work strands.


• Self-motivated and willingness to challenge the status quo and implement improvements.


• Ability to react appropriately to short notice programme changes.


• An ability to plan and organise workload to achieve deadlines.


• Excellent decision & problem solving skills


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in functional and procedural expression


• Good engineering discipline in procedural, documentation and configuration matters.


Values & Behaviours:


• Demonstrates behaviour that is consistent with the Thales Leadership Values.


• Maintains an ethical approach to business, in line with the Thales ethics policy.


• Demonstrates behaviours appropriate to the position and LR Grade


• Must be able to work in a team environment.


• It should be recognised that the position may require some limited out-of-hours working and/or shift-work as determined by the Projects


• Self-Motivated/Flexible with a constructive 'can do' attitude


• A good problem solver showing initiative and improvisation.


• Demonstrates attention to detail, particularly in investigating problems, and a pride in producing accurate work.


• Must be able to work in a multi-disciplined team environment with Suppliers, Thales UK employees and Customer present.


• Able to produce or manage to completion appropriate documentation within demanding/challenging timescales


• Able to collaborate with, direct or manage other disciplines including services and engineering, Minimum of Level 3 National qualification or above in a related engineering/aerospace discipline or equivalent military/aviation related qualification/experience.
  
  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 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., 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.