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Head of Engineering Operations

Posted 4 Jul 2025
Share:
Work experience
5 to 20 years
Full-time / part-time
Full-time
Job function
Degree level
Required languages
English (Fluent)
Dutch (Fluent)

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Werken bij Thales: Head of Engineering Operations

About the team

The Engineering Competence Center (CC) is part of the Naval organization within Thales The Netherlands. Engineering is organized as a matrix with 8 product segments and six main disciplines: System Engineering (~300 employees), Mechanical & Electrical Engineering (~130), Software Engineering (~300), Radar Front End Engineering (~90), Supportability Engineering (~60) and Engineering Delivery Management (~100).

Overarching Engineering Operations (a team of about 10 people) takes care that the Segments and Disciplines get the correct information and KPIs to steer on, but vice versa Engineering Operations also challenges the Segments and Disciplines in case KPIs deviate. To lead the Engineering Operations team we are currently looking for a Head of Engineering Operations (HoEO).

About your future job

The Head of Engineering Operations is responsible to keep the Operational aspects of Engineering under control by providing and keeping up to date the various dashboards and KPIs. In relation to that, reviews and audits (both internal and external) are arranged and facilitated. Reporting towards the many stakeholders of Engineering is primarily taken care of by Engineering Operations. The yearly budgeting process as well as the creation of the Engineering performance plan is coordinated and facilitated by Engineering Operations. Engineering tooling at the highest level is coordinated and taken care of by Engineering Operations. Finally, Engineering Operations challenges deviations from KPIs, processes etc. with the ever-present aim to make Engineering better performing.

To succeed in all of this, the HoEO has a team of about 10 Data Analysts, Process and Tooling Experts.

The Head of Engineering Operations:

  • is a member of the Engineering Management Team
  • is in charge of a team of about 10 data analysts, tooling and process experts
  • is accountable for keeping engineering dashboards up to date and challenge people in case of deviations
  • is accountable for ensuring consistency, maturity and configuration management of the CC cost estimate process and practices (cost estimating models, parametric estimate…)
  • is accountable for providing engineers with an efficient Engineering Environment with the related engineering support

Why you'd be a good match

You have a proven experience as a line manager and/or program manager working in a highly technical environment. As a HoEO:

  • you have a Bachelor or Master degree in Engineering or equivalent
  • you are a motivated person who has a proven track record in the Engineering and Project domain, demonstrating the principles of ownership
  • you are target driven, result oriented and able to coach the Team Managers and Engineering Delivery / Work Package Managers accordingly
  • you are not afraid of having confronting discussions with colleagues when deviations from targets are detected
  • you will set the direction, provide energy and connect with your team and stakeholders
  • you are proactive, take the initiative, manage the expectations and are a solid reporter
  • you are an excellent communicator and fluent in spoken and written Dutch or English

What's in it for you

  • A challenging job in a great team within our high-tech, innovative work environment. Includes the freedom for initiative and good ideas.
  • Room for personal and professional growth within our organization, for example in regards to technical, commercial or international skills.
  • Valuable international collaboration with coworkers from 68 different countries around the globe.
  • A comfortable work space in a modern environment, with a focus on flexibility and the right work life balance.
  • You can usually work where and when you want to be able to do your work as well and efficiently as possible. Within Thales we implement hybrid working, where you can, for example, work from home two days a week if your role allows it.
  • A good salary, fitting travel allowance, and the ability to personalize your employment conditions: for instance, you can trade days off for internet costs, our bicycle plan, company fitness and relocation costs.
  • 40 days off per year (PTO). Yes, really.

Questions?
Reach out for more information to our Talent Acquisition Partner Roelof de Vries or roelof.devries@external.thalesgroup.com

“Bij Thales krijg ik alle kansen en de ruimte om mijzelf verder te ontwikkelen, en dat als onderdeel van allerlei gave processen en projecten binnen de organisatie!”

Anoek Trainee

“Wat het voor mij aantrekkelijk maakt om hier te werken, is de diversiteit in opdrachten en het werken in verschillende teams met diverse disciplines. Zo blijf je jezelf ontwikkelen binnen het cyberdomein.”

Maurits Cyber Engineer

Over thales

Diversiteitsstatement

We vinden dat je baan de juiste work/life balance moet ondersteunen en het platform is om jóuw ambities waar te maken. Dat betekent dat gelijke kansen, inclusiviteit en een informele cultuur een essentieel onderdeel uitmaken van ons succes. Maar ook dat jouw gezondheid en geluk voor ons erg belangrijk zijn! Daarom bieden we je de flexibiliteit om te doen wat voor jóu belangrijk is; of dat nu parttime werken is, of werken vanuit huis, of de mogelijkheid om flexibel te zijn in je start- en eindtijden, we denken met je mee.

Security Requirements

In lijn met de basisbeveiligingsvereisten van Thales vragen wij kandidaten mogelijk om bewijs omtrent identiteit, werkvergunning en arbeids- plus opleidingsgeschiedenis. Sommige vacatures vereisen ook een security clearance die verdere informatie vereist. Voor meer informatie over wat er nodig is voor bepaalde security clearance, raadpleeg dan de General Intelligence and Security Service.

With 80.000 talents working in 68 countries, we are one of the biggest high-tech employers in the field of safety and security. In the Netherlands, where 2500 employees are based, we are located in four cities: Huizen, Delft, Eindhoven and Hengelo (HQ).
Do you want to kickstart your career in an international high-tech environment? And are you looking for a traineeship where you can develop your personal skills? Our traineeship starts in October 2023. Check www.thalestraineeship.nl

Engineering
Hengelo
Active in 65 countries
2,500 employees
70% men - 30% women
Average age is 45 years