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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Systems Engineering Group Manager - **Company:** Thales Group - **Location:** Cheadle, UK - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Software Tools, Requirements Management, Verification and Validation (Software) - **Published:** September 27, 2026 - **Apply:** https://find.jobs/jobs-near-me/apply/ats-redirect/?id=2988792211-2 ## About the Role You'll bring a combination of leadership excellence and Systems Engineering credibility, with: * Proven experience leading and developing engineering teams within a complex technical environment. * Strong Systems Engineering knowledge across the engineering lifecycle, including requirements management, architecture, integration, verification and validation. * Experience establishing and maintaining engineering standards, governance and best practice. * A track record of workforce planning, capability development and talent management. * Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to operate effectively within a matrix organisation. * The ability to balance strategic thinking with practical delivery and execution. ## Description At Thales, our engineers solve complex challenges that help make the world safer, greener and more connected. We're seeking a Systems Engineering Group Manager to lead our Systems Engineering community across UWS Hardware, combining strong people leadership with deep Systems Engineering expertise. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for developing and growing our engineering capability, fostering a high-performance culture and ensuring the Systems Engineering discipline continues to deliver excellence across our programmes. Aligned to our leadership pillars of Think Big, Make it Happen and Together, you'll lead a talented community of engineers whilst acting as a champion for Systems Engineering methods, standards, tools and best practices. What You'll Be Doing Think Big * Shape the future capability of the Systems Engineering function, developing strategies that support business growth and programme delivery. * Build and maintain a workforce plan that ensures the right blend of skills, experience and expertise across permanent, contingent and partner resources. * Drive continuous improvement in Systems Engineering practices, processes, tools and methodologies. * Champion innovation and the adoption of Engineering Fundamentals across the organisation. Make it Happen * Lead, develop and inspire a team of Systems Engineering professionals, creating clear development pathways and succession plans. * Own recruitment, talent development and retention activities to ensure a sustainable pipeline of engineering talent. * Define and maintain Systems Engineering standards, ensuring consistency, quality and technical excellence across all sites. * Partner with Engineering Delivery teams to ensure capability and resource demand are effectively aligned. * Influence investment in engineering tools, infrastructure and capability development to enable teams to perform at their best. Together * Create an inclusive and supportive environment where engineers can thrive, develop and perform at their best. * Coach and mentor Technical Leads and engineering teams, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing across the community. * Build strong relationships with Engineering Leadership, Architects, Delivery teams and key stakeholders across the business. * Act as a trusted leader and advocate for the Systems Engineering discipline within the wider Engineering function., This is an opportunity to lead one of our key engineering communities, influencing both the development of our people and the evolution of our Systems Engineering capability. You'll play a critical role in ensuring we continue to deliver innovative solutions to our customers while developing the next generation of engineering talent. ## Related Videos - [Model Based Systems Engineering in an Agile Product Development Process](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/68-model-based-systems-engineering-in-an-agile-product-development-process) - [Successful talent development: A joint journey of executives and talents](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1002-successful-talent-development-a-joint-journey-of-executives-and-talents) - [ Secure Code Superstars: Empowering Developers and Surpassing Security Challenges Together](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/422-secure-code-superstars-empowering-developers-and-surpassing-security-challenges-together) - [The Migration Cookbook](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100164-the-migration-cookbook) - [Breaking the Hardware Mindset: Overcoming Barriers to System-Level Innovation](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1635-breaking-the-hardware-mindset-overcoming-barriers-to-system-level-innovation) - [Old tools, new tricks](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1916-old-tools-new-tricks) ## Related Articles - [From developer to manager – what does it take to become an engineering manager?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/42-from-developer-to-manager-what-does-it-take-to-become-an-engineering-manager) - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [Top Characteristics of a Software Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/166-top-characteristics-of-a-software-engineer) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [Where To Find Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/396-where-to-find-software-engineering-jobs) - [Should Tech Managers Be Developers First? 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