Head of Discipline (HoD) Hardware Aeronautics

Location: Montreal, Canada

At Thales, our employees create solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We design in-flight entertainment systems that captivate 50 million travelers every year. We also develop the avionics that equip the world's largest commercial aircraft. Our simulators train the next generation of fighter jet, transport, and search and rescue helicopter pilots. And together, every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

From the depths of the oceans to the far reaches of space, Thales experts innovate and relentlessly push the boundaries of technology. By joining our Montreal team, you'll contribute to developing innovations that propel tomorrow's aviation towards a greener and safer world. You'll work with an international clientele at the cutting edge of technology within a team of passionate and stimulating experts developing critical avionics solutions, particularly for the electric urban taxi market. Being part of Thales means adopting a hybrid, friendly, and dynamic work environment that offers a great work-life balance, based on values cherished by our team. You'll also have access to a comprehensive, diverse, and career-focused training program within the Group, established in many countries.

The Avionics office in Marie-Curie, Montreal is Thales Group’s Centre of Competence for business and regional jet flight control systems, located at our Montreal – Marie Curie office. The team designs and integrates avionics suites, fly-by-wire flight control systems, SATCOM systems, and other innovative concepts for the regional and business aircraft markets.

Head of Discipline (HoD) Hardware Aeronautics / Responsable hiérarchique d'équipe hardware aéronautique *Montreal, QC (Hybrid) Full-Time*

Thales Canada is recruiting its Head of Discipline (HoD) Hardware Aeronautics / Responsable hiérarchique d'équipe hardware aéronautique to establish and manage a Hardware Development team. The position is based in Montreal and is part of the aeronautics domain. The Head of Discipline (HoD) Hardware Aeronautics / Responsable hiérarchique d'équipe hardware aéronautique will be responsible for building a team capable of executing all design, verification, integration, and certification activities for embedded electronic modules used in aeronautical systems.

They oversee a multidisciplinary team of engineers (hardware, FPGA, signal, test), ensure compliance with standards (DO 254, ARP4754A, and DO 160), manage technical deliverables, and ensure adherence to cost, schedule, and performance requirements. They guarantee that the hardware is reliable, safe, and compliant with airworthiness requirements.

Essential Functions

Team Management

• Identifies required skills, skill gaps, necessary training, assigns responsibilities to individual contributors, and leads these contributors as a team. For the team, they plan, coordinate, and monitor the implementation of tasks.
• Manages the work and performance of the hardware development engineering team.
• Leads, sets objectives, and facilitates progress for team members.
• Maintains staffing levels to ensure sufficient support for cross-functional projects (direct work, subcontracting, and lump sum).
• Responsible for the Make/Team/Buy strategy for their discipline.

Offers, Design, and Conceptions

• The HoD is responsible for organizing and allocating resources for development projects while respecting contractual requirements and ensuring customer satisfaction. They interface with project stakeholders (IPT Leader, HwEM, PDA) for resource allocation, development plan sharing and validation, and addressing changes and challenges.
• In the offers phase, the Hardware HoD validates NRC quotes for their discipline for study, development, or product evolution projects.
• In the design and conception phase, the Hardware HoD ensures the execution (delivery) of activities and coordinates (and writes) the design process for new products. They ensure their feasibility and cost targets are met.

Project Activities Leadership

• Responsible for completing a set of engineering tasks within the limits of cost, schedule, performance, and quality. Related tasks may cover all or part of the range of activities concerning customer needs, mission, function, architectural design, and the hardware solution lifecycle (requirements and specialized engineering, design, development, integration, and verification).
• Writes technical specifications and documents to ensure the product meets customer, marketing, manufacturing, and HW design requirements.
• Collaborates with PCB manufacturers and assemblers (EMS) to ensure manufacturability (DFM).
• Generates project/product estimates and schedules for new projects and proposal activities.

Innovations and Continuous Improvement

• Designs and plans projects involving the exploration of product and/or process-related issues, the definition and selection of new concepts and approaches for the design or development of new or improved products and processes.
• Initiates processes to improve workforce, tool, and equipment performance.

Documentation and Standards

• Supervises the design of electronic circuit boards integrating FPGAs, in compliance with aeronautical standards (e.g., DO-254 for hardware).
• Works with the quality team to ensure quality systems and processes are in place to achieve engineering success.
• Participates in the definition of hardware architectures to meet redundancy and safety (Safety) requirements.
• Minimum Requirements

Skills and Abilities

• 10 to 15 years of experience in electronic hardware and/or FPGA development, which has allowed you to hold a position between multi-year project development and technical, technological, and industrial expertise.
• Assertive leadership and ability to influence without authority.
• Piloted the establishment of an aeronautical hardware development team for critical systems, demonstrating proactivity and dynamism, i.e., being a doer.
• Practical and significant first-hand experience in the design of embedded electronic circuit boards and FPGAs in an aeronautical environment.
• Demonstrates a good team spirit, excellent interpersonal skills, and oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate technical problems assertively and delicately.
• Ability to interact with a wide range of internal and external customer groups.
• Several years of experience in team or technical project management.
• Capable of leading multiple hardware development projects in parallel.
• Experience in aeronautics or regulated domains (medical, military, space).
• Bilingual (French/English).
• Experience in communication with third-party suppliers.
• Writes technical specification verification and design test documents to ensure the product meets design/system/customer requirements. Prepares materials and makes presentations for formal design reviews and technical meetings with customers.
• Experience working in close collaboration with other engineering and non-engineering organizations such as: quality, industry, test engineering, software, and system engineering.