Head of System Engineering

Location: Hengelo, NetherlandsHead of Department - System EngineeringWe are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to take on the role of Head of Department– System Engineering & Integration Verification Validation within Thales Netherlands in the location Hengelo. In this critical leadership position, you will be responsible for steering the strategy, capability development, and performance of one of our largest engineering disciplines, ensuring delivery excellence and technical innovation across a portfolio of cutting-edge defense solutions.You will lead a community of over 150 system engineers and IVV engineers across more than 20 teams, helping them thrive in a high-complexity, high-impact environment where both legacy and next generation systems coexist. The focus is on people, performance, and transformation—driving continuous improvement while nurturing a strong engineering culture.A central part of this role is the leadership of the System Engineering Performance Plan—a multi-year, cross-organizational effort to increase system engineering efficiency. From improving predictability and delivery cadence to reducing technical waste, you will be at the forefront of driving measurable performance improvement across the entire system engineering lifecycle.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership: Define and execute the long-term strategy for the System Engineering discipline in alignment with Thales Netherlands' business and product roadmaps.Capability Development: Champion the growth and development of engineers and team leads, fostering technical excellence and leadership from within.Operational Excellence: Drive quality, process maturity, and system engineering performance improvement initiatives across projects and programs.Lead the System Engineering Performance Plan: Own and evolve the multi-year plan to improve system engineering efficiency across the organization. This includes reducing waste, improving predictability, and increasing the value delivered by engineering teams.Community Building: Inspire and grow a strong, connected engineering community through engagement, coaching, and culture-building.Change Leadership: Lead organizational transformation within the system engineering discipline, including lean engineering, knowledge management, and long-term maintainability of mission-critical systems.Collaboration: Partner with other Heads of Discipline, Engineering Managers, Product Line Managers and Technical Directors to deliver coherent, cross-functional solutions.Ideal Candidate ProfileYou are a seasoned system engineering & IVV leader with a strong background in large-scale system development, and a passion for people and organizational growth. You're comfortable in both strategic and operational domains, with a hands-on mindset when necessary. You understand the engineering lifecycle deeply and know how to lead through influence as much as through structure.Deep understanding of system engineering lifecycle management, system engineering integration, and verification & validation practices.You have the ability to take a holistic approach to analyzing a system, focusing on how the building blocks of a system interact and how systems operate over time and in the context of larger systems.You understand the importance of defining requirements through a process that uses performance analysis, business studies, constraints assessment, and cost/benefit analysisYou are able to adopt model-driven systems engineering and see how it serves as the basis for architectureDemonstrated ability to lead change, improve performance, and drive long-term technical excellence.Proven experience in leading large system engineering organizations (>100 FTEs), ideally in a high-assurance or mission-critical domain (e.g., defence, aerospace, telecoms, etc.).Strong communication, stakeholder management, and coaching skills.Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, System Engineering, or related field.Experience within a matrixed, multinational organization.Familiarity with radar, naval or defence systems is a pré.Fluency in Dutch and English is mandatory.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 whenever you want. Within Thales, we aim for a 60/40 balance, where you work from home at least two days a week, when your role allows this.A good salary, fitting travel allowance, and the ability to personalize your employment conditions: for instance, you can trade PTO for internet costs, our bicycle plan, company fitness and relocation costs.40 days off per year (PTO).Security RequirementsIn line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in The Netherlands and employment and/or education history. This position requires a personal security clearance (AIVD B screening). For further details of the evidence required to apply for security clearance please refer to the General Intelligence and Security Service.