Innovation Engineer (Information Technology)

Location: Irvine, United States of America

Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world's largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

Innovation Engineer

Irvine, CA (Hybrid)

Position Summary

Thales is looking for an Innovation Engineer to assist with Innovation projects necessary to obtain up-to-date technical knowledge, assess the technical feasibility of ideas and potential solutions, mature, characterize and de-risk preferred solutions to enable optimal technical choices in preparation for the launch of new product development.  This activity supports competitiveness and business growth for Thales' IFEC (Inflight Entertainment & Connectivity) Business Line, is central to supporting Thales' strategic focus on profitable growth.  This position leads Innovation projects using his/her own technical skills, Thales internal and/or external expertise as needed to accomplish the task and includes management of a small team of Junior Engineers.

Innovation activities in Thales focus on exploration, incubation and maturation of our systems, sub-systems, equipment and Digital Services from low maturity to high maturity allowing their formal Product Launch by the Product Delivery Teams. Innovation activities include technical information research, feasibility studies, proof-of-concepts, characterization and prototyping with the intent to investigate optimum solutions and characterize the technical and business risk profile prior to the formal development. They also include the organization of focus groups, customer workshops focused on Innovation, collaboration with all internal stakeholders (Engineering, Strategy, Product Delivery, Customer Success, Services and Support…) to define and prioritize the Innovation Roadmap maximizing the ROI and the alignment with business needs and BL strategy.

In this position, you will also be responsible for the execution, delivery and demonstration of assigned Innovation projects. The scope includes project coordination with Engineering, Product, Marketing and/or partners and suppliers requiring the combination of strong communication and influencing skills, as well as demonstrated technical and/or information technology experience.  An agile, goal oriented mind set and ability to work effectively with remote external partners is essential.

Finally, the Innovation Engineer being in the CTO team, acts as a catalyst for creating and fostering an innovation culture within the Business Line. Associated activities include organizing periodic “Innovation Days”, coaching technical leaders (Product Owners, Chief Engineers/architects…) to help maturing their innovation projects, working with start-ups or other Thales entities on Proof-of-Concepts, participating in dedicated Innovation Events such as AI Centech and DIS incubation Programs.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Research and engage in new or adaptable technologies that support the IFEC vision and objectives in line with the Strategy Team, Product Delivery and Customer Success and strong partnership with the technical community; Manage multiple concurrent Innovation projects, including management of scope, schedule, cost, resources and risk.
• Coach and guide the technical leaders during all phases of their Innovation projects, from concept Exploration, through Incubation (ensuring concept feasibility, viability and acceptability) and leading to Product Launch via Maturation (preparing the organization, mitigating/identifying risks and finalizing all pre-development activities).
• Maintain and present Innovation project status dashboards on a regular interval as defined by the governance; Complete the final project deliverables, including white papers, prototypes, Initial Gates (IG), Main Gates (MG).
• Help establish, prioritize and implement the Innovation plan to audiences at various levels of understanding – internally to colleagues, leadership, GBU and externally to aircraft OEMs, airline customers, technical committees, symposia as agreed; Assist in finding opportunities to leverage external funding and grants and develop collaborative RT&I partnerships, including access to academic researchers, internships, industry, and start-ups.
• Support the protection of IP working in close collaboration with the IP Manager of the Business Line; Embrace knowledge capitalization and extensive sharing across IFEC.  Coordinate with GBU innovation counterparts.
• Support the annual Multi Year Budget (MYB) process to propose budget requirements for Innovation projects; Direct management of a small team of Junior Engineers, including objective setting, performance management and career development.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in a Science or Technology field of study including Systems /Network Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology and Telecommunications Systems.
• 7 years or more in Innovation associated activities including 2 years of project leader experience in an agile environment.
• Demonstrated technical ability in one or more of the following areas - system engineering, systems or computing architecture, embedded software, prototyping and modelling, telecommunications, wireless networks, IOT digital technologies, human-system integration.
• Applied knowledge of Product Design, ideation methods and concept development tools and techniques (C-K theory, User Experience design, Lean Start-Up…).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in the English language with the ability to present information and key messages to wide ranging audiences from the detail-oriented technical community to senior leaders.
• High level of tenacity, genuine passion for innovation and comfort with ambiguity.

If you're excited about working with Thales, but not meeting the requirements for this position, we encourage you to join our Talent Community!

Special Position Requirements

• Schedule: Core Business Hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel up to 5%.
• Regulatory Compliance Requirements: None.

What We Offer

The anticipated TTC range for this role is $138,161.25 - $184,215.00 USD Annual. The Company reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's status protected by local, state, or federal law. 

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following: 

• Elective Health and Dental plans. 
• Retirement Savings Plan with a company contribution and a match, and without vesting period. 
• Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave. 
• Company provided Life Insurance.

Why Join Us?

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This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with [a] criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal law, state law, and local ordinances.

We are an equal opportunity employer, including disability and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales, please contact us at talentacquisition@us.thalesgroup.com.

The reference Total Target Compensation(TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between

Total Target Cash (TTC): 138,161.25 - 184,215.00 - 226,600.00 USD Annual

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including – but not limited to – the employee's career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company's annual salary budget, the customer's program requirements, and the company's internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's status protected by local, state, or federal law.

(For Internal candidate, if you need more information, please reach out to your HR Shared Service, 1st Point) 

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following:
•Elective Health, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Whole Group Life w/LTC, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Plan, Identity Theft, and Pet Insurance

•Retirement Savings Plan after 30 days of employment with a company contribution and a match, and with no vesting period

•Company paid holidays and Paid Time Off

•Company provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Disability, Employee Assistance Plan, and Well-being Program