Senior Manager, System Architecture

ROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The position is responsible for the selection and life cycle management (definition, change management, maintenance, and obsolescence) of the new and/or existing technologies, architectures and engineering processes contributing to the long-term profitability of SES Techcom. The incumbent leads the team of system architects that is in charge of defining the portfolio of system architecture approaches in line with the Techcom business plan and strategic initiatives, aligning the system architectures and technology choices across the projects and in line with the previously defined strategy. Incumbent is responsible for managing multi-disciplinary and cross-functional teams of system architects. The position is responsible for establishing best practices, solving engineering problems and conflicts across project implementation and product development activities, all to reduce the risk of implementation and costs of Techcom projects and make them more competitive, sustainable and attractive to our customers. He/she works closely with solutions engineering, product development, financial, operations, sales and marketing teams to improve processes and respond to market needs to bring new, innovative, modular and flexible communications products and solutions in an increasingly complex and fast-moving technological environment.

The incumbent and his team are recognized internally (at SES at large) and externally (across the network of partners and customers) as experts in satellite communication technologies and acts as an engineering knowledge reference across organization.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build and deploy a top-performing team, ensuring strong and sustainable execution. To achieve this goal, your priority should be to create a consistent loop of planning and executing sales and business development opportunities as well as service and project engagements across the company's strategic domains.
• Create the optimal combination of people, technology and process. Ensure that the team has the right tools and resources (people, technology,…) available and processes are set in place so that the team can make quick decisions and move forward with executing.
• Lead and create an internal mentoring program for younger engineers across the organisation. Act as a coach to your team and incentivize them to mentor and coach others.
• Create the best engineering and system architecture practices and lead their implementation and promotion across the projects and the company
• Support the attraction of contracts by supporting the various Request for Proposal (RFP) phases like preparations, handover, proposal and contract negotiations
• Actively seek out, analyse and pursue synergies across Techcom projects and programs, such as sharing of assets and resources, convergence towards common standards and tools
• Be a role model by demonstrating how to investigate, suggest and implement process optimizations where appropriate
• Ensure compliance to Techcom processes and standards such as ISO-9001, ITIL-4, OHSAS, Health & Safety and SES-IT security
• Contribute to the definition of the company's strategic growth lines and lead the translation of agreed strategy into the actionable implementation, supported by standardized system architecture and best engineering practices. Coordinate implementation of the defined strategy with Techcom management and across different organizational domains.

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to lead cross-functional project teams and combine individual responsibilities to achieve successful outcomes
• Strong analytical sense and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills at all levels and assertiveness
• Passionate individual with the energy to overcome 'innovation fatigue' and overcome resistance to change
• Curious, flexible, adaptable, has a view into the future, and is at ease in a change environment
• Strong contributor to the company’s strategy definition
• Ability to interpret long-term strategy and convert it into practical and short and mid-term implementable actions
• Excellent understanding of the business needs and pragmatic ways to put them into realisation
• Exceptional leadership, time management, facilitation, and organizational skills
• Excellent analytical sense and ability to synthesize
• Strong coordination and priority setting abilities
• Innovative spirit, business minded and self-starting qualities
• Proactive approach towards existing and potential customers
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s or higher in RF, Electronics, Telecommunications, Information Technology or equivalent
• At least 20 years of relevant experience in leading multidisciplinary, cross-functional teams in the space and/or telecommunications industry and involving multiple external parties (suppliers, contractors, subcontractors)
• Minimum 10 years of applicable working experience related to end-to-end project/program management, preferably confirmed by an MBA (or similar) certification
• Experience with mentoring and coaching younger engineers.
• Excellent knowledge transfer skills
• Proven experience in system architecture standards and process
• Experience in managing programs/project with European Space Agency (ESA) and European Commission (EC)
• Fluency in English, French, German and Luxembourgish, for the reason of exchanging with the customer, and to understand the law and regulation, as well as communication with NSA Luxembourg,
• Willing to travel internationally
• NATO/ESA/EU SECRET clearances is required. Candidate must be willing to undergo a security clearance procedure as this position might require holding security clearance