Primary Purpose of the Role: The Thales Unmanned AirSystems (UAS) Trials and Training Centre (UTTC), based at WestWales Airport, delivers Air Test and Evaluation (T&E) of largecomplex UAS for UK MOD and other customers. Thales is expanding itsUAS flight test capability, providing an opportunity for a LeadFlight Test Engineer (FTE) to join the team. The Lead FTE willperform a central role within the organization, leading theplanning of and conducting developmental flight test of UAS. Theywill be responsible for line management of 1 or more junior FTEs.Principal Relationships: - Thales UAS Trials and Training Centre(UTTC): - Thales Flt Ops Head of Flying - Thales Flt Ops Head ofAir T&E (Chief Test Pilot) - Head of UTTC - UTTC Operations andDelivery Manager - Thales UK Ltd: - Thales Accountable Manager(Military Flying) - Thales UAS Technical Director - Thales DesignOrganisation (DO) - Thales Continuing Airworthiness ManagementOrganisation (CAMO) - UTTC Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO)External: - MOD Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) - RPASDelivery Team - U-TacS Design Organisation - Military AviationAuthority (MAA) Key Responsibilities and Tasks: The Thales UTTCLead FTE will: - Plan UAS flight trials, considering requirements,certification, airworthiness, and safety and risk management,working closely with the Design Organisation. Documentation to beproduced will include Trials Instructions, Trials Risk and HazardAssessments, Technical Notes, Flight Test Cards. - Brief andconduct UAS flight test sorties as part of the GCS test crew. -Analyse flight trial data, write Post Flight Reports, at thecompletion of a flight trial write the Flight Test Report. - Assistthe Head of Air T&E and Head of Flying in strategic planning offlight trials, and in writing flight test governance documents,processes and procedures. - Provide leadership and management toone or more junior FTEs. Skills and Qualifications Essential -Graduate Flight Test Engineer of a recognised Test Pilot School, orhaving demonstrable equivalent qualifications/experience as an FTE.- Have demonstrated the ability to plan, manage and conduct flighttrials, analyse flight test data, and write flight test reports. -Possess excellent English language written and spoken communicationskills. - Have an aeronautical engineering and/or aerospacegraduate background, with demonstrable knowledge and understandingof all aspects of flight test. - Have the ability to lead andmanage more junior personnel as part of a team. - Possess a highlevel of skill in using modern software applications and tools,particularly in analysing and presenting data gained in flighttest. Desirable - Qualifications (including post-graduate) relatedto manned or unmanned aircraft design, flight operations, or safetyand risk management. Experience: Essential - Significant flighttrials experience as an FTE, to include all aspects of flight testplanning, conduct, data analysis and reporting. Desirable - FlightTrials experience on UAS platforms. - Experience of working underMAA regulation, particularly within the Contractor Flying ApprovedOrganisational Scheme (CFAOS). Values & Behaviours (Thales): Asuccessful candidate is expected to adopt and practise the ThalesValues and Behaviours: - Shape solutions out of complexity - Beambitious and accountable - Perform through cooperation - Influencekey stakeholders - Engage and develop teams - Manage Self In linewith Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will beasked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in theUK and employment and/or education history for up to three years.Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which canrequire further evidence to be provided. For further details of theevidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearanceplease refer to the Defence Business Services National SecurityVetting (DBS NSV) Agency. At Thales we provide CAREERS and not onlyjobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries ourmobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to developtheir careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas ofexpertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believethat embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working. Thales UKis committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitmentprocess. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support toensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability orlong-term condition can be their best during the recruitmentprocess. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert inan alternative format or if you have any questions about therecruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid tosenior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprenticeroles. Great journeys start here, apply now!