Overview
Join Thales as a Firmware Manager (FPGA) within the UK Engineering Competence Centre (ECC), where you will play a key role in shaping and delivering complex FPGA programmes across multiple business domains. This high‑impact leadership role combines deep technical expertise with strategic oversight, people management, and delivery excellence.
Responsibilities
* Lead and optimise FPGA design, development, and verification capability across the organisation
* Own delivery performance, including cost, schedule, quality, and resource alignment
* Drive continuous improvement by refining processes, tools, and engineering practices
* Provide technical leadership across the full FPGA lifecycle, from architecture through to verification
* Manage and develop engineering teams, including line management and talent pipeline growth
* Collaborate with UK and international stakeholders, including global ECCs (France, Romania, India)
* Ensure adherence to engineering governance, quality standards, and best practices
* Monitor performance metrics and proactively manage risks, escalations, and stakeholder expectations
Qualifications
* Strong background in digital electronics with deep expertise in FPGA architecture and verification
* Proven experience managing complex engineering teams and delivering across full project lifecycles
* Comfortable operating within structured, regulated environments (e.g. defence, aerospace)
* Demonstrated ability to improve engineering processes, tools, and delivery performance
* Confident stakeholder manager, able to influence at senior levels across engineering and business functions
* Proactive, adaptable, and able to thrive in a fast‑paced, evolving environment
Security Clearance
This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if already held; otherwise you must obtain and maintain SC clearance prior to commencing employment. You generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years, or a minimum of 3 years in the last 5 years with additional overseas checks. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.
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 per year (pro rata)
* 24 hours of paid volunteering per year
* Private healthcare
* Pension scheme
* Life cover
* 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to a mental wellbeing app
* Employee discount schemes on major brands and retailers
* Gym membership discounts
Equal Opportunity
At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all.
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