Job Description

A Joint Venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space is a global space manufacturer delivering, for more than 40 years, high-tech solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth Observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Thanks to our diversity of skills, talents and cultures, our customers (governments, institutions, space agencies, telecommunications operators), therefore have Space to Connect, Secure & Defend, Observe & Protect, Explore, Travel & Navigate.
We say HI* ? Welcome to the Thales team!
*Human Intelligence
Thales in Switzerland is part of a world-leading technology group in the area of Defense & Security, Training & Simulation, Space and Digital Identity & Security. In a world full of uncertainties, we ensure that our customers, partners and employees can break new ground with confidence and in security. For a future we can all trust.
Say HI* to your career as a
Manager Space Opto-Electronics Design & Development -100% (m/f/d)
in Zurich #LI-ONSITE (Ref. Nr. R0264792)
In Zurich awaits you a center of excellence for optical, quantum-based communications and opto-electronic observation and communication systems used in satellite and space technology. This is the place for you if you don't just dream of space travel, but want to work on the development, operation and deployment of satellite-based systems that help position and connect everything and everyone everywhere, observe our planet and optimize the use of Earth's resources - and of our solar system. Join the team of experts at Thales Alenia Space, a key partner for governments, institutions and businesses. We look forward to meeting you!
Your mission
The aim is to have a senior manager, which will lead the design & development team. Our activities focus largely on the development of complex, state of the art technology, multidisciplinary instruments with limited recurring production of the end-products. Synchronization of the development activities, requirement breakdown, engineering design and analysis and design for production, integration and testing are the challenges we are facing and that have to be aligned with the schedule needs from our customers and with the management of risks
You will enjoy having the following responsibility:
The Manager of Design & Development is part of the leadership team of the Thales Alenia Space in Switzerland and is leading 3 direct reporting:

• Manager of Solution Architect team
• Manager of Engineering Team
• Manager of Integration, Validation, Verification and Qualification (IVVQ) team

In her/his responsibility is the management of the execution of the different disciplines and the quality of the execution of the activities, ensuring the execution of the project activities on time, on cost and quality. In this context, she/he will define the vision of the organization under his/her responsibility and ensure the needed competences and the competitiveness. Processes, tools and flow of work are part of the elements, which shall be reviewed whenever needs and managed in order to bust the on-time-delivery of the team.
In her/his function the manager of the Design & Development, will report to the local CEO and shall work together with peers, namely the Manager Operation, the Manager of Quality and the Manager Bid & Business Development.
It is expect solid and proven background in management of development of solutions for complex instruments, ideally in development of opto-electronics instruments for space, in leading multi-disciplinary teams, with good understanding of different engineering disciplines (thermal, mechanical, electronics, optics and photonics) and of the validation and qualification processes to be implemented.
Furthermore, in this role it is expected to identify gaps and obstacle tosmooth execution, seeking for synergies in the way of working of the different teams and leading the overall department in a harmonious way and to optimization of the outputs, enhancing the performance of the projects execution.
She/he will take care fo skills management and on the evolution of skills required to fulfil the needs of the business.
She/he will be part of the Bid process, in person or in delegation, supporting the identification of the baseline solution to be offered to the customer, to ensure the adequate development approach and design validation (DVa) process execution and to review the bid data package for the adequacy of the technical solution, the identified technical risks and mitigation action. Furthermore, she/he shall take responsibility for the financial aspects of the development proposed.
The person in this role shall interact with customers, partners and external stakeholders and with different teams within the organization.
The additional responsibilities for the Manager Design & Developement / CTO role are:
To be in close contact and to collaborate with the different stakeholders in the Thales Alenia Space JV CTO organization
To interact with academia, research organization, innovation "produced" to identify "technologies of the future" and to propose partnerships and collaborations. Identify the technological axes to be developed locally in alignment with the needs of the business lines for the future projects and products. Elaborate implementation roadmaps to be introduced in the Strategic Business Plan and Multi Year Budget.
Support business development activities and elaborate on introduction of new technologies and innovation in products and solutions.
Management the local elements of the product cartography and product policy processes in alignment with CTO team. Manage Product Line Strategic Reviews and Design Reviews processes and coordinate the preparation with support of the Thales Alenia Space in Switzerland team.
Act as Project Design Authority in selected projects
We look forward to that
You hold an Engineer diploma with background in optics and electronics, understanding of hardware development and architecture for space products
Minimum of 10 year's work experience by working for space industry in similar complex opto-electronics products
You are curious, passionate, capable of "thinking out of the box", team-player, reliable, flexible, technology and space enthusiastic
You prove a strong experience and capability in development of solutions for space and in particular knowledgeable in opto-electronics and optical communication
You hold a good track records on complete development cycle: from specification to flight hardware delivery.
You are pro-active in the identification of duties and in the performance of the tasks
You work comfortably with changing boundaries
You are curious, passionate, capable of "thinking out of the box", team-player, reliable, flexible, technology and space enthusiastic
You demonstrate good communication skills towards colleagues and with customers and business partners. Experienced in moderation and steering of meetings and with tool sat hand for problems finding.
You are fluent in English, any other skills languages in French and/or Italian will be a great asset
What awaits you at our location in Zurich
Collective Labour Agreement MEM-Industry Swissmem I Flexible and mobile working | Various part-time models to promote work-life balance | Share participation programme 'Sharing Thales' | Allowances for special events | International development opportunities within the Thales Group | Extensive further training opportunities in the Thales Learning Hub| Regular development meetings I Benefits platform with employee discounts | Free parking facilities or discount on public transport season tickets I Paid premiums for accident and daily sickness benefit insurance I Free hot and cold drinks I Monthly catering allowance of CHF 120 I Avadis Capital accumulation foundation I We are "you" We work together as partners and are on first-name terms at all levels
For our 83,000 employees in 68 countries, we open up forward-looking perspectives, realize individual career paths and enable creative freedom.
Say HI* - Your way to us
When the writing is on the wall, our international teams are there to tackle today's complexity with tomorrow's industry-leading technologies. Are you in? Your contact Frederic Martin is looking forward to receiving your online application via our career portal.
Frederic Martin
Talent Acquisition Partner #LI-FM1
*Human Intelligence
Notice for recruitment agencies:
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we regret to inform you that the CVs submitted by recruitment agencies are not processed. We will take into consideration only the CVs submitted by the candidates.
We appreciate your understanding to Thales recruitment processes.
At Thales Alenia Space we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales Alenia Space employing around 8,900 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US, our mobility policy enables employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth #SpaceForLife. Great journeys start here, apply now!

Skills Required