Senior Project lead

Thales is a global technology leader trusted by governments, institutions, and enterprises to tackle their most demanding challenges. From quantum applications and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity and 6G innovation, our solutions empower critical decisions rooted in human intelligence. Operating at the forefront of aerospace and space, cybersecurity and digital identity, we’re driven by a mission to build a future we can all trust.

Overview

We are looking for an Engineering Delivery Manager to lead delivery across multiple squads building and evolving a cloud-native Identity Platform. You will drive predictable outcomes, high engineering quality, and adoption of our AI-driven SDLC—improving speed, reliability, and compliance through modern ways of working.

You will lead a delivery organisation of ~20 engineers, shaping squads around product priorities, coaching delivery discipline, and ensuring teams use AI tooling (coding, test generation, documentation, triage) to raise throughput and quality.

Partner with Product, Architecture, Security and Platform stakeholders to translate roadmap intent into executable plans, manage dependencies and risks, and deliver measurable outcomes.

This is a hands-on leadership role focused on delivery excellence and AI-enabled transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end delivery across multiple squads (scope, plan, dependencies, risks, and outcomes).
• Lead, coach and develop ~20 engineers; set clear expectations and give timely feedback.
• Establish delivery discipline: predictable cadence, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement.
• Champion an AI-first engineering culture; ensure AI tooling is used safely and effectively.
• Ensure engineering excellence: quality, security, reliability, and operability by design.

AI-Driven SDLC & Transformation

• Embed our AI-driven SDLC (AI-assisted design, coding, testing, documentation, and release readiness) into day-to-day delivery.
• Drive adoption of AI ways of working (guardrails, playbooks, and training) in partnership with Enablement/Architecture.
• Measure impact and improve (cycle time, defect escape rate, automation coverage, and developer experience) and act on insights.
• Ensure responsible use of AI aligned to security, privacy, and compliance expectations.

Delivery Execution

• Shape and adjust squads based on roadmap priorities, skills, and capacity.
• Run planning and execution rituals; manage dependencies and cross-team alignment.
• Remove impediments, manage delivery risk early, and drive predictable releases.
• Use metrics to improve flow efficiency, quality, and operational readiness.

Stakeholder Partnership

• Partner with Product to clarify scope, acceptance criteria, and success metrics.
• Provide clear delivery commitments, trade-offs, and status—no surprises.
• Align with Architecture/Security/Operations to ensure designs are scalable and compliant.

People, Talent & Operations

• Hire and retain diverse talent; build capability plans with explicit AI upskilling.
• Set performance expectations, coach growth, and build a feedback culture aligned to Thales leadership.
• Own capacity and execution tracking; escalate risks with options.
• Ensure operational excellence (on-call readiness, incident learnings, and continuous improvement).

What You Bring

• 7+ years in software engineering with 3+ years leading delivery and/or people in multi-team environments.
• Track record delivering cloud-native, distributed and security-sensitive platforms (identity experience a plus).
• Strong delivery management: planning, dependency/risk management, release management, and stakeholder communication.
• Modern SDLC practices (CI/CD, test automation, observability, DevSecOps).
• Proven change leadership: scaling new tools and practices, including AI-assisted development.
• AI fluency: hands-on experience with AI coding/testing/documentation tools and an ability to coach safe, effective adoption.

Success Looks Like

• Predictable delivery: roadmaps translated into realistic plans and on-time releases with transparent trade-offs.
• AI-driven SDLC adopted across squads with measurable improvements in cycle time, automation coverage, and quality.
• Strong engineering outcomes: security and reliability targets met; reduced incident/defect escape rates.
• High-performing teams: clear expectations, visible growth, and healthy engagement/retention.

Reporting Line

This role reports to the Engineering Director.

At Thales, we’re committed to fostering a workplace where respect, trust, collaboration, and passion drive everything we do. Here, you’ll feel empowered to bring your best self, thrive in a supportive culture, and love the work you do. Join us, and be part of a team reimagining technology to create solutions that truly make a difference – for a safer, greener, and more inclusive world.