Senior Project Manager – e-Gates Programme (Reading, Hybrid)
Thales people architect identity management and data protection solutions at the heart of digital security. Business and governments rely on us to bring trust to the billions of digital interactions they have with people. Our technologies and services help banks exchange funds, people cross borders, energy become smarter and much more. More than 30,000 organizations already rely on us to verify the identities of people and things, grant access to digital services, analyse vast quantities of information and encrypt data to make the connected world more secure. 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.
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Project Manager to lead the e‑Gates programme – a high‑profile National Programme to build a safer, seamless border experience for the Home Office. This hybrid role at our Reading Green Park site will involve working closely with European colleagues and driving delivery across the UK and Europe.
Key Responsibilities
* Act as the main project‑management interface to the customer for development of the solution and testing.
* Plan, execute and manage implementation activities to meet project schedule, quality and cost targets, ensuring customer satisfaction.
* Lead and manage cross‑functional, multi‑disciplinary teams, including Work Package Managers, in‑house manufacturing, and Project Engineers.
* Ensure sufficient resources are allocated to meet schedule requirements.
* Ensure achievement of milestones and key events per contract.
* Manage project risks as well as financial and contractual contingencies, and produce internal and external reporting.
There will be UK customer site visits and some European travel, specifically to Madrid.
Qualifications
* Proven experience successfully leading and delivering complex, high‑profile projects, ideally related to software development delivery and the deployment of critical systems in a customer‑facing role.
* Ability to work with multiple stakeholders and prioritise requests.
* Proficiency in project management methodologies and tools, resource management practices, and contract management techniques.
* Aptitude for clear and concise thinking, flexible and able to adapt to change.
* Knowledge of Thales PRJ and Thales DDQS processes, documentation, and milestones.
* Experience deploying biometric data capture, smart‑card issuance or PKI solutions.
* Experience working with Confluence and Jira.
Security Clearance
Due to the nature of the work, this role requires Security Clearance (SC). Existing clearance is advantageous; if not held, the successful applicant must undergo, achieve and maintain SC clearance before commencing employment. For guidance, visit the UKSV website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.
What the Role Has to Offer
* Opportunity to see the product in operation at Thales Reading and the customer test site in Heathrow.
* Opportunity to work in a different sector within Thales UK.
* Part of a high‑profile national programme to build a safer, seamless border experience.
* Involved in the national roll‑out of the e‑Gates.
About Thales
Thales UK has a proud legacy of delivering critical technology solutions to government and industry, including more than 15 years of innovation in the Government security technology sector. Our Automatic Border Control (ABC) systems support secure, seamless travel using biometrics, e‑passports and document verification to automate identity checks and reduce border wait times. These systems are deployed across international airports and border points worldwide. Based at our Reading Green Park site, you will play a vital role in delivering secure, high‑performance biometric border control systems to our customers.
Career Development
At Thales we provide careers, not just jobs. With 80,000 employees across 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.
Inclusive Recruitment
Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to neuro‑diverse applicants or those with a disability or long‑term condition. To request an adjustment or if you need this job advert in an alternative format, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid–to‑senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.
Apply Now
Great journeys start here – join Thales and help shape the future of border security. Apply now to become a Senior Project Manager for the e‑Gates programme.
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