Global Quality Assurance Manager

Location: Singapore, Singapore

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.

Specific duties

The GQAM provides leadership for the quality function in the program and is accountable for the effectiveness of this function and championing the application of the Thales Quality Policy to ensure customer trust. 

This include taking a risk-based approach to define and implement quality assurance activities, assuring compliance, identifying deficiencies, certifying products, evaluating and minimising potential quality related risk, and raising Alerts and Veto for quality issues when necessary. It also include facilitating continuous quality improvement, and ensuring the Thales Quality Reference system (Chorus) is implemented and effective in delivering quality across all areas in the program / business unit.

The GQAM is focused on leading a team of quality professionals across various countries to perform Quality Assurance activities for the program with direct reporting into the Head of Quality & Customer Satisfaction (Asia) and partnering with the core team to address issues arising from running the program.

The primary challenges of this position are:

• Ensuring quality is owned by everyone not only the quality function

• Providing an accurate view of the quality performance of the organisation and driving the changes necessary to achieve quality objectives through the influencing of management and other stakeholders.

• Reduction of quality risks and minimizing the Cost of Non-Quality through active support of operational areas.

• Assuring that the commitments we make to our customers are met while balancing the cost and schedule constraints.

Responsibilities:

• Managing customer feedback ensuring that related corrective and preventive actions are developed and implemented

• Build customer confidence by maintaining direct links with Customer’s Quality managers and making sure that problems are resolved without undue delay

• Ensuring that Customer needs are clearly understood and defining the “right” standard of Quality needed within the entity

• Assuring Quality throughout the life cycle of the Program

• Establishing and maintaining a close relationship with key stakeholders and leadership to ensure understanding of quality objectives and expectations in the program.

• Attending Program Management Meetings as required

• Analysing data to prevent identifiable risks.

• Fulfilling the duty of alert and veto.

• Monitoring and assessing the execution of the program by providing visibility through an independent “Program Quality Advice”

• Assuring compliance with normative requirements (e.g. safety) and with the related certification standards

• Optimising the allocation of Quality resources, while managing talent and the development of skills (MYB, workload plan)

• Assuring that TIMS assessment and audit plans are properly planned and implemented within the program

• Assisting stakeholders to analyse operational performance and providing management with an overall picture for decision-making purposes

• Leading (planning, organising, managing, recruiting and controlling) the quality function and staff assigned to achieve the agreed outcomes within the delegated authorities and responsibilities.

• Providing the appropriate direction, coaching, support and delegation to individual team members and the whole team to enable them to achieve the work objectives.

• Fostering teamwork in the direct area of responsibility and with other teams across the program, functions or business unit, where appropriate.

• Understanding and displaying the Thales Leadership Model

• Participating in Quality leadership meetings and appropriate actions arising

• Developing transverse communication channels across Thales Solutions Asia, Thales Australia, Thales LAS France and Thales Group to enable sharing of ideas and sourcing of additional capacity if needed.

• Establishing and maintaining working relationship with external bodies in support of quality management system needs.

• Other duties as assigned.

KEY KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

To be successful in your role, you will have demonstrated and/or acquired the following knowledge and experience:

• Tertiary Qualifications in an engineering or related technical discipline.

• Audit Qualifications (e.g. Lead Auditor) background or qualifications is desirable.

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in Engineering (i.e. systems engineering, ideally with some S/W development knowledge) with a good understanding of systems and software development principles’ and lifecycles

• Experience in quality management, preferably in a system’s engineering organisation, or other relevant technically orientated discipline.

• Detailed knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System requirements

• Working experience in Quality assurance for complex and safety critical projects is required.

• Strategic influencing skills including the ability to promote improvement at all levels and across all areas of the organisation.

• Strong leadership skills that inspire team confidence and respect while motivating team members in an effective manner.

• Analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to understand and critique requirements. Expertise in applying problem solving tools, such as 8D is desirable

• Good communication & interpersonal skills, including ability to prepare and present reports.

• Ability to work well in a multi-disciplinary team.

• Diplomacy skills, including the ability to withstand pressures and say 'no' when quality is insufficient or processes are not being adhered to.

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.