Avionics Safety Assurance Manager

Location: Crawley, United KingdomThales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world's largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.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.

Safety Assurance Manager (Avionics)

Crawley

About this role… 

We are expanding our portfolio, teams and technology and are recruiting for a Safety Assurance Manager to support the Safety Authority in the delivery and assurance of compliant products through the provision of expertise on all aspects of safety management and safety engineering. As the Safety Assurance Manager for the Flight Avionics (FLX) business line, you will be accountable to independently assure, through the conduct of appropriate levels of appraisal, the safety engineering activities for bids, projects, SFRD, products and services.

The FLX & TTS businesses serve a wide variety of domestic and international customers in the aerospace sector, covering both the Civil and Military domains. Your role will include:

• Supporting the development of our next generation Mission Management Systems or Secure Information System for military helicopter platforms
• The continuing support and sustainment of our in-service products, including Avionics Mission Systems and Secure Intercom Systems.
• Conduct Safety Management activities associated to our Civil and Military Approvals such as Part 145 Maintenance and Part 21G Production activities.
• Supporting delivery of the several studies we are undertaking to shape the future of aircraft communication systems

The successful candidate will be someone who…

• Is an experienced Safety Engineering Professional, who has worked across all phases the engineering development lifecycle and can demonstrate experience of evaluating safety regulation requirements and safety project compliance to regulations for complex systems and services
• Is familiar with system engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and software engineering development and verification principles
• Has Aerospace and Avionic System domain knowledge
• Can provide demonstrable evidence of commitment to creating and maintaining a safety culture within a delivery focused programme and product development environment
• Is confident in their ability to positively influence key stakeholders to adopt a safety mind-set; both internal to our business, and externally through interaction with our customer  base and supply chain
• Is dedicated to the professional development of themselves and their colleagues
• Has an excellent track record of delivering their personal commitments to cost and schedule, with outputs meeting the satisfaction of the customer
• Is capable of representing the Safety view of programmes to all stakeholders (internal and external) of the programme, and can communicate complex technical issues or ideas in a manner appropriate for a non-technical audience
• Is a team player with a "can-do" attitude that performs effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment, promotes the values of inclusiveness and diversity, and is an advocate of Thales' leadership Model: Think Big, Make it Happen, Together
• Experience in the investigation of Safety Occurrences, including use of formal techniques such as Root Cause Analysis

Desired knowledge, qualifications and experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor Degree (BEng, BSc) in a Numerate, Scientific or Engineering subject or Higher Education/equivalent training and experience
• Experience of working as a Safety Engineer, Safety Assurance Manager or equivalent as part of a multi-disciplinary engineering teams, with an understanding of System Engineering and System Engineering Processes and Practices, including knowledge of the application and tailoring of Product Development/Engineering Lifecycles
• Experience of working directly with OEMs, UK MoD, UK and overseas suppliers in a responsible safety-related role
• Experience of complex system safety case development
• Safety Audit experience
• Detailed knowledge of relevant avionics development and safety standards is essential:
  • ARP 4754 and ARP 4761
  • RTCA-DO-178C and RTCA-DO-254
  • CS
  • Def Stan 00-56 and Def Stan 00-55
• Knowledge of international safety standards and legislations like IEC 61508, IEC 62368, EN MIL-STD-882, CE / UK CA Marking, REACh;
• Knowledge of Civil and/or Military Organisational approvals such as DAOS/MAOS, Part 145, Part 21G

Key tasks and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to…

To support the Technical Director/Safety Authority through:

• Planning, coordinating and assuring delivery of safe products and solutions
• Independent verification and validation of safety artefacts (outputs from the safety engineering activities)
• Conduct Safety Management activities associated to our Civil and Military Approvals such as Part 145 Maintenance and Part 21G Production activities.
• Support the SA in development, implementation and continuous improvement of the Safety & Environmental Management Systems and Processes
• Provide the consistent application of Engineering Governance to Product Safety and Environmental Engineering for through-life design
• Operate and improve processes and capabilities required to effectively manage the Design Intent through-life
• To ensure that Product Safety activities are undertaken in line with all relevant project and corporate processes and any specific customer requirements
• Support the Technical Director and SA in the development and fostering of a positive Safety Culture throughout the organisation
• Develop and mentor Safety Engineering resource
• Ensure that safety issues are communicated to the Technical Director/Safety Authority and relevant Stakeholders
• Demonstrate strong and active leadership for product safety, setting high standards across all areas
• Ensuring that safety engineering risks have been properly identified, assessed and managed within bids and projects
• Verifying that bid and project competence requirements for safety are met
• Review and approval of all Safety and Environmental artefacts including but not limited to  Safety Management Plans, Safety Cases/Assessments and supporting Artefacts.

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. This role is offers the opportunity to choose either Manor Royal (Crawley) or Green Park (Reading) as a home site.

Thales Avionics is predominantly based at the largest Thales UK site, Manor Royal Crawley, 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. Our environment is designed to encourage collaborative working, and you will be surrounded by many specialists with extensive knowledge of their fields.

Proactive individuals will find that there are many opportunities available in such a large and multi-disciplinary organisation, which makes Thales an excellent career choice.

Connect with Fiona Tal, Talent Acquisition Partner #LI-FT1 who is eager to explore together with you this exciting opportunity.

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. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.

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.

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

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