Project Design Authority / Systems Design Authority

Thales

Project Design Authority leading complex sonar projects in underwater systems engineering at Thales. Ensuring solution integrity and compliance while serving as technical interface with customers.

Posted 5/4/2026full-timeTemplecombe • 🇬🇧 United KingdomMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Act as the "technical conscience" for the project, providing final approval on the Design & Justification File (D&JF).
Serve as the lead technical voice in front of the Customer, translating complex requirements into actionable engineering strategies.
Ensure our solutions meet rigorous contract requirements, export restrictions, and safety/environmental legislation.
Navigate "Make vs. Buy" decisions and mitigate technical risks throughout the bid and project lifecycle.
Sign off on the final integration, verification, and validation (IV&V) of complex systems.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Significant expertise in Sonar Systems, Signal Processing, or Hardware, with a deep understanding of the full systems engineering lifecycle.
A proven track record as a PDA or Lead Engineer on large-scale, complex defense projects.
You consider the business case, the supportability, and the long-term footprint.
Experience in high-stakes environments where your decisions have a direct impact on national security.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Autonomy: The power to lead and define technical solutions.
Impact: See your work deployed in the most challenging environments on Earth—the deep ocean.
Flexibility: A culture that respects work-life balance while delivering on critical national milestones.
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

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Sonar SystemsSignal ProcessingSystems EngineeringIntegrationVerificationValidationTechnical Risk MitigationDesign & Justification File (D&JF)Complex SystemsLarge-scale Defense Projects

Soft Skills

Technical ConscienceCustomer CommunicationDecision MakingStrategic ThinkingBusiness Case AnalysisSupportability ConsiderationLong-term PlanningComplex Requirement TranslationLeadershipStakeholder Engagement