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.
Senior Configuration Controller
Crawley or Reading – Hybrid.
Thales develop and engineer cutting edge products and technologies such as autonomous platforms (air and maritime), high performance sonar arrays, Air Traffic Management systems, electronic warfare & counter measure systems, to name a few.
We’re looking for a Senior Configuration Controller to support a large scale development within the Maritime business.
You would be responsible for the tailoring and the realisation of the Configuration Management Systems against the contractual and market requirements within their perimeter including responsibility for the consistency of the configuration information and interfacing with various internal and external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities and Tasks:
- Coordinate Configuration activities within your project(s) in collaboration with all the stakeholders, in particular the Project Managers (PMs), the Product or System Engineering Delivery Managers (EDMs), the Work Package Managers (WPMs) or the other CMs in the case of Delegated Lots
- Organise the Configuration Management activities and interface with the Project Managers on the planning and management aspects, taking into account:
- The adaptation of the configuration management system, in compliance with the contractual requirements
- The execution of the configuration management system within the project, in compliance with Configuration Management requirements
- The consistency and completeness of the project information in the PLM
- Support with implementing the Configuration Management Plan
- Specify the configuration management requirements to subcontractors and suppliers through statements of work
- Participate in the selection of configuration items and to the establishment of the various breakdown structures
- Ensure identification activities piloting and implementation (CI selection, breakdown structures identification, baseline needs...)
- Organise and control the Configuration Control Board (both internal and external) as well as the pre and post CCB activities and relation communication
- Establish the configuration baselines (FBL, ABL, PBL, and according to project’s needs)
- Participate in end of phase reviews (SFR, PDR, CDR...)
- Perform or participate in Functional and Physical configuration audits
- Support in the analysis of contractual requirements and the preparation of Configuration Management quotations during the bid phase
Experience, skills and qualifications required
- You will ideally have a degree in an engineering discipline, and you have proven experience in the field of configuration management
- You have already worked in an integrated team combining specific developments and off-the-shelf solution
- You have outstanding problem-solving skills and a passion to solve difficult issues and manage complexity
- You have knowledge of system integration principles (System, Hardware and Software)
- You have used relevant tools like those related to Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
- You have knowledge in Hardware & Software CM practices and tools
Security Clearance Statement
This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.
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. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the National Security Vetting (NSV) Agency - United Kingdom Security Vetting - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What we can offer
We are committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you’ll have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.
Our packages will include significant bonus, a strong pension contribute, private healthcare, development focused targets and relocation support can be provided if required along with a variety of learning, development and career enhancement opportunities. Further support can be provided towards academic and membership attainments.
Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.
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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.
Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!
Skills Required
- Proven experience in configuration management
- Degree in an engineering discipline
- Experience working in integrated teams combining bespoke developments and off-the-shelf solutions
- Knowledge of system integration principles (system, hardware and software)
- Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools
- Knowledge of hardware and software configuration management practices and tools
- Ability to establish and implement Configuration Management Plans and run Configuration Control Boards
- SC Clearance or ability to undergo, achieve and maintain SC Clearance (UK residency requirements apply)
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to manage complexity
Thales Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Thales and has not been reviewed or approved by Thales.
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Retirement Support — Retirement plans with employer contributions and matches, profit sharing, and share purchase opportunities are emphasized across multiple regions. These elements are positioned as competitive components of total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Generous PTO that increases with tenure, paid holidays, and paid military, maternity, and paternity leave are described. This breadth supports work–life balance across locations.
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Flexible Benefits — Hybrid work options, flexible schedules, and parental supports such as childcare benefits and leave for sick children are available in several markets. Flexibility is presented as a core part of the employee experience.
Thales Insights
What We Do
Thales is a global high technology leader investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations – connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum technology – to build a future we can all trust, which is vital to the development of our societies. The company provides solutions, services and products that help its customers – businesses, organisations and states – in the defence, aeronautics, space, transportation and digital identity and security markets to fulfil their critical missions, by placing humans at the heart of the decision-making process.








