AJISS Chief Engineer

Location: Ottawa, Canada

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow’s possible.

For decades, Ottawa has been a global technology leader. Today, Canada’s capital holds one of the brightest and most diverse technological ecosystems in North America. Voted as Canada’s best place to live 2017 by Maclean’s, Ottawa offers a low cost of living with a high quality of life. The Thales Ottawa office has been a major supplier and long-term trusted partner to DND, enabling the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard to achieve mission success.

This role is Hybrid, Ottawa, Ontario

Chief Engineer (AJISS)

Position Summary

Thales Canada Defence & Security (TCDS) is looking for a Chief Engineer for its Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship and Joint Support Ship In-Service Support (AJISS) Program. In this senior leadership role, the Chief Engineer acts as Technical Authority for the AJISS Program, leading a team responsible for ship systems such as Platform, Propulsion, Electrical, and Combat Systems. The successful candidate will ensure that the Accredited Engineering Organisation (AEO) and engineering activities meet contractual, regulatory, and quality requirements, collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to deliver reliable solutions and continuous improvement initiatives. The position demands extensive experience in naval or maritime engineering, engineering management, and professional registration in Canada, along with strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and project management skills. Fluency in English is required, and proficiency in French and experience with international maritime regulations are considered assets.

Regulatory Compliance Requirement

This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List and/or the US the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for such access.

Key Areas of Responsibility

At the TCDS level:

• Ensures that the Engineering organisation conforms to the requirements of the Provincial and Federal Professional Engineering Organisations.
• Participates in business development activities.
• Leads and participates in Engineering Continuous Improvement initiatives.

On the AJISS Program:

• Is the Technical Authority.
• Leads a team of direct reporting Engineers that provide technical authority support on ship systems including Platform, Propulsion, Electrical, and Combat System.
• Ensures that the Accredited Engineering Organisation (AEO) is established and maintained in accordance with AJISS contractual requirements
• Develops the maturity of the AJISS Engineering Organisation, in line with AJISS Contractual requirements and the Thales Integrated Management System, Chorus 2.0.
• Contributes to the AJISS Engineering Management Plan and all relevant sub plans and deliverables.
• Is accountable for evaluating technical solutions, reports, incidents and providing recommended solutions.
• Is accountable for all Engineering Change deliverables, ensuring design intent, equipment baseline and ship level baseline are maintained.
• Ensures all Engineering activities are conducted according to established processes and all technical deliverables are fit for purpose.
• Collaborates and coordinates with all other teams to support Program objectives.
• Provides input to the AJISS Monthly Progress Report.
• Attends and co-chairs various Integrated Project Teams (IPTs).
• Is a Work package Manager (WPM) for their scope of work.

Minimum Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience in a post graduate engineering role in the naval or maritime industry
• At least 5 years experience in a senior engineering management role
• At least a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering or Naval Architecture
• Registered as a Professional Engineer in Nova Scotia, Ontario or British Columbia, Canada
• Experience working with external stakeholders.
• Experience working in a matrixed environment to achieve project outcomes and objectives.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

Preferred Qualifications

• Post graduate or technical qualifications and experience in Project Management, Systems Engineering processes or specialist engineering skills
• At least 10 years of onboard maritime experience.
• Previous experience working within the framework of classification society regulations and procedures (Lloyd’s Registrar, American Bureau of Shipping, DNVGL)
• Knowledge of flag state requirements and procedures; prior experience liaising with flag state authorities for vessel certification, inspections, and regulatory reporting.
• Familiarity with international maritime conventions and codes (such as SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM, ISPS, STCW), with hands-on experience implementing regulatory compliance strategies
• Familiarity with port state control inspections; ability to ensure vessel readiness and compliance with international standards during calls at global ports
• Experience working with national maritime administrations (e.g., MCA, USCG) for documentation, regulatory submissions, and audits.
• Familiarity with the implementation or auditing of ISO 9001/14001 management systems.
• Experience supporting environmental compliance (e.g., MARPOL, ballast water management, EEDI).
• Experience executing within a relational contract
• Experience operating within a matrix organisation

Physical Demands

• Predominantly office work but will be required to work in dockyards and onboard Naval ships
• May be required to undertake inspections in machinery spaces of Naval ships involving bending and twisting

Special Position Requirements

• Schedule: 40 hours per week with reasonable additional extra hours as the business requires
• Physical Environment: Office with possibility of on board ships alongside in harbour or at sea
• Travel: Domestic travel required, some international travel may be required

The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between Total Target Cash (TTC) $156,000– $180,000 -$204,000 CAD Annual.

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including – but not limited to – the employee’s career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company’s annual salary budget, the customer’s program requirements, and the company’s internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

We use artificial intelligence–enabled tools as part of our recruitment process to support activities such as candidate discovery, résumé matching, and interview scheduling. These tools may help screen and assess applications and recommend potential matches based on the requirements within the job description.  All hiring decisions, including candidate evaluation, selection, and disposition, are made by human recruiters. Artificial intelligence does not make hiring decisions on our behalf.

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Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 24 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following: 

• Company paid Extended Health, Dental, HSA, Life, AD&D, Short-term Disability, Cancer Care Program, travel insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and Well-Being program.

• Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP, DCPP, TFSA) with a company contribution and a match to a DCPP, with no vesting period.

• Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave. 

• Voluntary Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Long-Term Disability.

• Employee Discounts on home, auto, and gym membership.

Thales is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Thales is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the interview process. Applicants selected for an interview who require accommodation are asked to advise accordingly upon the invitation for an interview. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of providing an accessible candidate experience.

This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List, the Canadian Controlled Goods Program, the Canadian Industrial Security Program, the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for such access including eligibility to the Canadian Controlled Goods Program and able to obtain a Canadian NATO Secret clearance.