Thales GTS UK is embarking on an ambitious growth plan. Recently we have been shortlisted for the Signalling contract for HS2 with our JV Partners Costain and we have also created a JV with Telent to bid on Ops Comms for HS2 these significant bids and future projects require talented engineers to design/innovate and deliver solutions to shape the future high speed railways of the UK. Alongside this exciting growth on HS2 we are also embarking on ambitious plans to develop our Digital solutions and have recently announced the Digital Competence Centre in Manchester. As a key part of enabling this vision and growth, we are looking for engineers with a background in communication systems to help shape our technical solutions.

The role is required to lead the development of winning technical solutions for our pipeline of opportunities and bids in our Integrated Communication Systems Business Line. Key upcoming opportunities include HS2 Ops Comms, HS2 Building Management Systems, HS2 SCADA, Station Information & Security System upgrades for Network Rail and TOCs and communication system upgrades on the London Underground.

Primary Purpose of the Role:

The Technical Solution Architect - Networks will be responsible for the definition of specific technical solutions for specific projects and bids associated with a variety of transport-related information systems.

The Technical Solution Architect - Networks will proactively develop technical solutions that take full account of the customer's needs and priorities, including its operational and implementation needs, and which take full account of the global products and systems available throughout Thales and their respective development route maps.

The Technical Solution Architect - Networks will lead and shape the technical responses to specific prospects and bids to ensure that they offer innovative and cost effective technical solutions, combined with other, possibly optional, technical services that demonstrate a real understanding of how such a solution will be implemented and used to maximise business benefit to the customer.

The Technical Solution Architect - Networks will possess knowledge of transportation industry business process and information management systems, and will ensure that the technical solutions offered by Thales enable business process and information system enhancement and are seen by the customer as being credible, robust, practical and good value. Part of the role will require development of a technical network amongst the ICS Product Lines to gain a working understanding of the ICS Product Portfolio and Roadmaps.

Principal Relationships:

• Day-to-day accountability to the Line Manager and Head of Technical Solutions
• Domain Transportation Systems UK Technical Director
• An active contributor to the whole Technical Directorate team
• ICS Engineering Resources
• ICS Product Line Manager and Design Authority Product Line
• Other Division Transportation System units worldwide
• Other Thales units in the UK and abroad

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

Development of technical solutions throughout the pre-bid and bid phases to secure identified business opportunities
Delivery of technical responses to bids
Ensure that solutions developed and offered by Thales are seen by the customer as being credible, robust, practical and good value
Support the effective handover of technical solutions from bids to programmes, to the nominated Programme Team
Undertake technical governance on delivery projects and ensure that project adheres to the solution baseline.
Deliver pre-sales technical consultancy in a way that leverages future opportunities for Thales.

Skills
Essential
? Ability to work collaboratively within an integrated team containing Products and Systems technical expertise, strategically driven in a stimulating environment to meet stretched timescales
? Strong technical communications at all levels
? Technical and personnel leadership skills.
Desirable
? Systems Engineering
? Innovation

Experience:
Essential
? Proven technical solution definition and delivery track record in transportation systems of any kind and a good level of understanding of existing transport communication and supervision solutions and products
? Proven experience in the development and delivery of safe, high availability, resilient and secure solutions, concepts, engineering principals and processes
Desirable
Experience of winning and delivering business in the UK transportation sector
Experience of winning and delivering similar technological solutions to non-transport sectors
Demonstrable awareness/familiarity/knowledge of the following systems:
o Backbone communications systems, e.g. Fixed Transmission Networks, Gigabit Ethernet
o Operational Control Centres, including:
o SCADA
o Telephony
o CCTV
o Access Control
o Network Management Systems
o Radio Communications, e.g. GSM-R, TETRA
o Broadband Communications, e.g. 802.11
o Station Management Systems, including:
o Help Points
o Passenger Information Systems
o PA
o CCTV
* Experience of working with railway operating companies, including infrastructure operating companies, e.g. Network Rail / London Underground, train operating companies and freight operating companies, and experience of respective standards and delivery, approvals and acceptance processes.

Qualifications:
Essential
? Degree qualified in a scientific, technical or engineering discipline, or equivalent
Desirable
? Chartered Engineer
? IRSE Licence / Membership
? Other technical and/or management related qualifications