Technology & Development Manager

Thales is a global technology leader trusted by governments, institutions, and enterprises to tackle their most demanding challenges. From quantum applications and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity and 6G innovation, our solutions empower critical decisions rooted in human intelligence. Operating at the forefront of aerospace and space, cybersecurity and digital identity, we're driven by a mission to build a future we can all trust.

In Singapore, Thales has been a trusted partner since 1973, originally focused on aerospace activities in the Asia-Pacific region. With 2,000 employees across three local sites, we deliver cutting-edge solutions across aerospace (including air traffic management), defence and security, and digital identity and cybersecurity sectors. Together, we're shaping the future by enabling customers to make pivotal decisions that safeguard communities and power progress.

Overall Purpose of the Role

The Technology & Development Manager leads cross-functional activities to bring products from design to stable mass production. This role owns NPI (New Product Introduction), manages material/BOM changes, and drives Auto‑Prod (Authorization for Production) readiness to ensure operational robustness, quality assurance, and compliance with manufacturing standards. The Industrialization Manager ensures that factory readiness, process capability, and documentation are aligned for controlled production release and successful ramp

Key Responsibilities

The job holder shall at all times during employment with the company, respect and comply with the Thales Quality, Health, Safety, Environmental & Security requirements during the performance of his/her duties

• Lead and develop a small team of engineers (Manufacturing Engineers, Industrialization Engineers, or Process Engineers).

• Provide coaching, technical guidance, performance feedback, and career development support.

• Allocate resources to NPI projects, ECO validation, Auto‑Prod readiness, and cost‑reduction activities.

• Build strong engineering capability in process validation, documentation, and problem solving.

• Own end-to-end NPI industrialization: gate reviews, factory readiness and ramp-to-stable production.

• Drive cross-functional alignment on build schedules, material readiness, test strategy, and quality gates.

• Monitor NPI KPIs (yield, scrap, OEE, cycle time) and implement improvement plans to meet launch targets.

• Govern the Engineering Change Order (ECO) process for materials, specifications, and process changes.

• Conduct impact analyses covering quality, reliability, cost, capacity, delivery, and compliance.

• Ensure accurate PLM/ERP updates for BOMs, routings, work instructions, and effective-dated changes.

• Drive communication of change readiness and cut-in planning across internal and external stakeholders.

• Own the Auto‑Prod process for controlled release of new build (devices) into production.

• Verify process capability and stability meet defined criteria prior to sign-off.

• Lead cross-functional closure of outstanding issues before granting production authorization.

• Lead product certification readiness for all new products and major changes (e.g., VISA Innovation, Mastercard CSI).

• Coordinate with external laboratory identify applicable standards

• Ensure samples, test plans, and supporting documentation are prepared and submitted to certification bodies.

• Manage certification timelines to align with NPI and mass production schedules.

• Review test outcomes, drive corrective actions for failures, and ensure successful re‑testing.

• Maintain certification records and ensure factory processes remain compliant throughout the product lifecycle.

• Lead cost reduction initiatives while safeguarding performance, quality, and reliability.

• Identify and evaluate alternate materials or components to reduce cost or mitigate supply chain risk.

• Partner with Supply Chain and Finance to quantify savings and validate cost models.

• Ensure documentation, BOM changes, and approvals are completed per process.

• Track cost reduction pipeline, savings realization, and implementation timelines

Job Requirements

Technical Skills

• Strong industrialization/NPI background with process validation expertise.

• Proficiency in PFMEA, Control Plan, APQP/PPAP, DOE, SPC, and statistical analysis.

• Experience in product certification and regulatory compliance.

• Knowledge of alternate material qualification and cost-reduction engineering.

• Familiarity with PLM (Agile/Windchill/Teamcenter) and ERP (Oracle).

• Strong data analytics skills using Minitab, JMP, Power BI, or Excel.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Proven experience leading small engineering teams.

• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and cross-functional influence.

• Effective problem-solving (8D, DMAIC, 5-Why) and decision-making under pressure.

• Ability to manage multiple programs concurrently.

Behavioral

• Ownership bias, structured thinking, and bias for action.

• Collaborative leadership-able to influence without authority.

• Continuous improvement mindset

Education, qualifications, and special training

• Bachelor Degree in Electrical, Microelectronic or Mechanical Engineering.

Experience

• 5 years of experience in NPI/industrialization/manufacturing engineering.

• Experience managing engineers or leading project teams.

• Certifications such as Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, PMP, or CQE preferred.

At Thales, we're committed to fostering a workplace where respect, trust, collaboration, and passion drive everything we do. Here, you'll feel empowered to bring your best self, thrive in a supportive culture, and love the work you do. Join us, and be part of a team reimagining technology to create solutions that truly make a difference - for a safer, greener, and more inclusive world.