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 defence and security, aerospace and space, cybersecurity and digital identity, we’re driven by a mission to build a future we can all trust.
In Romania, we are advancing innovation through software engineering, research and development, delivering solutions in key markets in which Thales Group operates. Our engineers design, develop and integrate solutions that impact global industries – from fully operational systems and subsystems for naval warfare and maritime security operations, to air traffic management systems, satellite-based solutions, tactical indoor simulations, identity and biometric technologies and more.
About the project
Thales’ Naval Business Unit, part of the Romanian Engineering Competence Center, develops cutting-edge combat and information management systems functionality for naval vessels, integrating sensor and weapon systems with advanced data processing, decision support, and human-machine interfaces. Our flagship product, TACTICOS, enables missions ranging from anti-piracy to ballistic missile defense, combining legacy and next-gen technologies in a high-stakes environment.
About the job
We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to take on the role of Team Manager/Head of Discipline – Software Engineering, working as part of our local Naval software engineering business unit. In this pivotal role, you will lead teams and strengthen our software engineering discipline, delivering critical software development contributions to our Combat Management System and ensuring technical excellence across the full software lifecycle. You will be responsible for steering growth and delivery strategy, capability development and performance of several engineering squads, ensuring delivery excellence and technical innovation across a portfolio of cutting-edge Naval defense projects and product developments.
You will be part of the Local Naval business unit management team, collaborating with engineering leaders from Romania and The Netherlands, leading up to 5 squads in Romania, helping them thrive in a high-complexity, high-impact environment where both legacy and next generation systems coexist. The focus is on people, performance, and transformation - driving continuous improvement while nurturing a strong engineering culture.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Define and execute the long-term vision for software engineering, aligning with the overarching naval strategy.
- Team & Talent Growth: Lead, mentor, and scale high-performing teams (25+ engineers), fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
- Operational Excellence: Drive quality, process maturity, and performance across the software lifecycle, from architecture to deployment.
- Community Building: Inspire and grow a strong, connected engineering community through engagement, coaching, and culture-building.
- Change & Transformation: Champion agile best practices, knowledge sharing, and modern engineering standards to future-proof mission-critical systems.
- Collaboration: Partner with Engineering Managers, Technical Leads, and global stakeholders to deliver cohesive, high-impact solutions
About you
Do you have a passion for technology, do you enjoy constantly developing your skills and are you interested in working on Naval Command & Control systems? Then you are the person we are looking for.
The ideal candidate would:
- Be a seasoned software engineering leader with a strong background in large-scale system development, and a passion for people and organizational growth. You’re comfortable in both strategic and operational domains, with a hands-on mindset when necessary. You understand the engineering lifecycle deeply and know how to lead through influence as much as through structure.
- Have proven experience in leading multiple software engineering teams (>25 FTEs), ideally in a high-assurance or mission-critical domain (e.g., defense, aerospace, telecoms, etc.).
- Bring deep understanding of software lifecycle management, system engineering integration, and agile development practices.
- Demonstrate ability to lead change, improve performance, and drive long-term technical excellence.
- Provide strong communication abilities, experience with stakeholder management, and coaching skills.
- Have a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
- Bring proven experience within a matrixed, multinational organization.
Your career at Thales
Future opportunities will allow you to discover other domains or sites. You will be able to evolve and grow your competences in different areas:
Room and attention to personal development.
Build your talents in another domain of Thales Group, discovering new products, new customers, new country or go to a more complex Solutiom
Choose between a technical expertise or a leadership path.
Build an international career within a leading Engineering Group.
Work for different Thales domains & entities.
Your immediate benefits
24 holiday days a year
Benefit Online
A good work-life balance which includes flexible working hours
A comprehensive compensation and benefit package including medical coverage & life insurance
Hybrid Workplace
GoFluent & Udemy Subscription
Engineering, Technology & Management Academies
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.
Skills Required
- Proven experience leading multiple software engineering teams (>25 FTEs)
- Experience in high-assurance or mission-critical domains (defense, aerospace, telecoms)
- Deep understanding of software lifecycle management and system engineering integration
- Experience implementing and championing agile development practices
- Strong stakeholder management, communication, coaching, and team-building skills
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
- Proven experience within a matrixed, multinational organization
- Hands-on mindset and ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels
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.
