MCCS Engineering Lead
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 31, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 28, 2026. Thales Group scores B on the Alion truth index.
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
Our work is organised into two portfolios that guide strategic growth in Secure Communication and Protection. The Land Communications team focuses on tactical radio and electronic countermeasures for UK and global markets. Our Security and Naval Communications team draws on over 100 years of partnership with the Royal Navy, delivering an evolving portfolio of integrated voice and data systems that support resilient, mission-ready communication.
The primary purpose of the role is to provide the MCCS programme with senior engineering leadership, governance and oversight including anticipating and mitigating risks and maximising opportunities related to the engineering delivery challenges of the bids and programmes within the business.
Reporting to the Head of Systems Engineering and the MCCS Programme Director, and working with the different stakeholders, competence centres, project, technical and engineering teams, the role holder is expected to lead the Technical / Engineering across the MCCS programme to ensure that all activities meet both business and customer requirements. The role is designed to derive maximum impact and value from the individuals’ programme technical & engineering delivery experience, coaching and inspiring others and mitigating risk to the business in engineering excellence.
Location: Crawley, Reading & Fareham
Key responsibilities and experience include:
- Industry experienced (Ex-BAE/LM Chief Engineer)
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate technical teams
- Understanding of product development cycles and integration of specialist teams
- Experienced in the technical application and architecture of Naval comms
In line with key responsibilities and experience above:
- Business engineering risks are well understood and mitigated and the overall trend shows reduction through stages of the programmes (and the contracted sub-systems that comprise the programmes).
- Key stakeholder interfacing and communications with the business
- Engineering reviews of Business bids, project and product solutions.
- Successful Engineering coaching and advance problem recognition, avoidance, mitigation, resolution and escalation within the business domain and associated business segments, as appropriate
- Appropriate governance is in place for the business related to meet the role objectives
- Strong links with the key stakeholders, also externally as required and that competitive advantage is maintained
Experience and Skills
- Significant domain related engineering experience including delivering significant engineering programmes.
- Excellent people manager and able to communicate at all levels of the organization
- A good problem solver showing initiative and improvisation.
- Able to work in a complex Engineering environment with strong governance experience
- Able to work across multiple business/cultural boundaries
- Able to coach and mentor senior employees
- Thorough understanding of engineering environments and the impact on the business
- Knowledge of employee engagement drivers and engineering culture
- Able to question / challenge established processes and offer innovative alternatives.
- 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 employees and Customer present.
Education and Qualifications
- Appropriate Engineering Qualification (Degree level/Masters)
Behaviours and Values
- Clearly demonstrate the Thales Leadership Model behaviours in the everyday environment e.g. shaping solutions out of complexity
- Acts within the Thales key values and demonstrates a professional, committed approach to all tasks undertaken.
- Displays passion, energy, drive, agility and resilience in achieving work-related goals under difficult circumstances.
- Enjoys or thrives on developing and performing through teamwork.
- Self-Motivated/Flexible with a constructive 'can do' attitude
- Excellent technical observational and communications skills.
Benefits:
- Performance-related bonus
- Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
- 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
- 24 hours volunteering paid for
- Private healthcare
- Pension scheme
- Life cover
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
- Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
- Gym membership discounts
Security Clearance Requirement:
Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a non-ITAR country may be considered.
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.
Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance:
At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.
If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.
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