Senior System Architect (m/f/d) Main Ground Combat System (MGCS)

Location: Düsseldorf, Germany

Thales in Germany is part of an internationally leading technology group in the Defence, Aerospace, Space and Cyber & Digital sectors. In a world characterised by uncertainties, we ensure that our customers, partners and employees can pursue new paths with confidence. For a future we can all trust.

Senior System Architect (f/m/d) MGCS

Become part of a multinational team and develop the cross-platform combat system of the future with us, thereby strengthening European defence cooperation.
MGCS, which stands for Main Ground Combat System, is a Franco-German armaments programme that aims to replace the Leopard 2 and Leclerc main battle tanks with a high-tech ground combat system by 2040.
The programme is intended to strengthen the European pillar in NATO, as well as key Franco-German technologies, and to contribute to the consolidation of the German, French and European land systems industry.

We are happy to have you on board!

Your mission

• In your role as a Senior Systems Architect through close collaboration with technical architects from our trusted partners, you will spearhead the definition of the MGCS architecture at the system of systems level, bringing your expertise to instantiate this architecture at the level of the four primary systems

• Take the lead in capturing and analyzing operational needs, articulating and formalizing them with precision

• Propose and advocate for innovative at the solution or solution element level, , the technology roadmap, and the strategic vision of our business.

• Craft the solution architecture through strategic trade-offs between stakeholder expectations, technical and technological solutions, costs, risks, and schedules.

• Develop comprehensive documentation for all associated artefacts, including architecture justification in the design and justification file, product breakdown structure, and the system/segment design document.

• Scrutinize and validate the resulting lower-level specifications, ensuring rigorous standards are met.

• Provide expert guidance during the solution development cycle and in the definition of the co-engineering approach.

• Drive excellence throughout the project life cycle by managing the assignment of corresponding level requirements, overseeing performance evaluations and critical parameters, defining interfaces, and facilitating technical negotiations between various stakeholders, both internal and external.

We are looking forward to

• With an engineering background, you possess at least 10 years of experience in architecture and engineering systems, with a thorough understanding of land forces and their complex deployed systems.

• Proficiency in operational concept descriptions, operational analysis, and embedded systems (including embedded computer architecture, constrained networks such as TSN, communication servers).

• In-depth expertise in digital infrastructures (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) with containerization (K8S), application services linked to mission systems, cybersecurity principles, and safety standards; knowledge of navigation and observation systems, as well as UxV, is a plus.

• Comfortable working within and contributing to a multicultural environment, with familiarity in NAF V4 NATO architecture framework under Enterprise Architect is a clear bonus; adept at convincingly communicating with non-expert client interlocutors.

• Skilled in co-engineering practices (Lean Thinking, Obeya...) and experienced with Concept, Design, Experimentation, and Simulation tools, including modeling tools like MBSE – Model Based System Engineering.

• Proven leadership qualities with a proactive approach, showing a great sense of initiative, excellent communication, and relationship-building skills.

Say HI* – Your journey to us

At times of change our international teams are ready to meet the complexity of today with the industry-leading technologies of tomorrow. Will you be part of it? Your contact Christian Frey is looking forward to your online application on our Career portal.

Christian Frey – Head of Talent Acquisition

+49 174 173 73 61

The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.

In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.
For our more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries we open up visionary perspectives, realise individual career paths and enable creative freedom. This is achieved with courage, versatility and the firm intention to make the demanding challenges of our time safer and more inclusive. With our sustainable value-focused management we support diversity actively.

We say HI*

*Human Intelligence