Technical Lead, Component Engineering

Location: Toronto, Canada

Thales people architect solutions that support 85 million mainline and suburban passenger journeys, worldwide, every day. Our Rail Signalling and Communication systems are used on metro lines across major cities, and 72,000 kms of route, 52,000 trains per day in 16 countries are controlled by our Traffic Management Systems. Together We deployed the first-ever nationwide ticketing system which processes over 50 million ticketing transactions in 100 cities daily.

Thales provides world-leading Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) and interlocking for mass rail transit applications globally. The Centre of Competence for Urban Rail Signalling is located right before you at mid-town Toronto. As the largest office in Canada, we house a department for every step of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)! This includes Software, Hardware, Systems Design, Verification & Validation, Operations, etc. The supporting corporate shared services teams in Finance, Human Resources and IT is also located at the office. Our office space was designed to provide a sustainable, healthy workplace that expresses TRSS’s brand while increasing collaboration. Features include Greenguard furniture, EnergyStar appliances, low-emitting adhesives, sealants, and sliding glass doors on internal offices provide daylight and views to the outside. Come join the big Transport family, here in Toronto!

We are looking for a Technical Lead Component Engineer (TLCE) to join our team in Toronto!

This position is responsible for the component engineering governance, processes, tools and activities at the GTSC level.

The TLCE is also responsible for actively participating at the GTS level to ensure the governance, processes, tools and activities are uniform across the business lines. This uniformity across the business lines is key in generating synergies to drive efficiencies, minimize costs and to leverage resources while enabling hardware designers to work seamlessly across geographies and business lines. The CE domain includes Electrical/Electronic/Electromechanical (EEE) components, mechanical components, and computer & networking equipment. These components are used in GTS railway signaling equipment for both product and customer specific applications.

The TLCE must demonstrate and utilize technical skills that includes all aspects of component research, understand product development, production, and aftermarket support requirements in order to help the hardware designer select appropriate components that meet the technical requirements, minimize component costs, second source availability, while minimizing risk associated with component obsolescence management. Tasks will include development of component requirements, parts selection, and alternate parts analysis, address obsolescence issues, environmental considerations, and work closely with Hardware Design Engineering, Supply Chain, and Contract Manufacturers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with the Hardware Process and Tools Lead to roll out new component engineering tools and aid in training GTSC team members
• Will be responsible to actively participate at the GTS level in the development and implementation of governance rules, processes and tools related to component engineering functions to ensure uniformity across the business lines
• Evaluate technical feasibility of newly requested manufacturers and coordinate business feasibility with Supply Chain
• Deep-dive analysis on non-direct (not FFF) potential replacement parts
• Support component cost reduction initiatives
• Participate in preliminary and production BOM reviews
• Support as needed component obsolescence management activities such as identification and implementation of substitute FFF components, raise Engineering Change Requests to advise projects of obsolescence when non-FFF’s components can be identified
• Generate and oversee document and datasheet preparation including non-standard part approvals
• Provide technical input for the support of internal Quality Alerts related to component issues
• Student intern training and mentoring
• Investigate multiple sourcing options
• Support as needed the coordination of component failure investigations with Manufacturers and Design Engineering
• Identify and flag long-term problem parts
• Address and resolve component related questions from Contract Manufacturers
• Develop and train employees who have joined the Component Engineering organization on the processes, tools and principles of component engineering
• Recommend Preferred Manufacturer List (PML) parts on new designs
• Provide component-level expertise to Design Engineering with new and existing part selection
• Encourage standardization by finding and recommending reuse of existing parts on new projects
• Components database maintenance including verification of new component data entry
• Verify components meet company product HSE requirements such as RoHS and REACh
• Vet new part requests for life cycle, market availability, cost effectiveness, quality, reliability, environment compliance and Railway applicability
• Provide inventory reduction support through consolidation of duplicate parts and participating in periodic inventory reviews

Required Qualifications:

• Current knowledge of RoHS, REACh, and an awareness of other international environmental standards and regulations related to electronic components and assemblies is a must
• Must have a crystal clear understanding of Form/Fit/Function (FFF) equivalence as it relates to multiple-source component integrity vs. application acceptability
• Bachelor’s degree, Technical degre or equivalent in Electrical Engineering
• Computer and networking equipment familiarity is a plus to support obsolescence management of COTS
• Good communication skills, both written and oral, is a must
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Excel is a minimum
• Confident in defending technical arguments
• Comfortable in assessing and recommending mechanical components
• Technical competence in Electrical/Electronic/Electromechanical (EEE) parts is a must
• Minimum of 7-10 years’ experience in a High Reliability environment as a Component Engineer or Electronic Hardware Designer

Preferred Qualifications:

• Computer and networking equipment familiarity is a plus to support the selection of and obsolescence management of such equipment
• Experience with 3rd party obsolescence databases, such as IHS, is a plus
• SAP experience is a plus
• Familiarity with PLM systems like Windchill is a plus
• Minimum of 11 to 15 years’ experience in a High Reliability environment is mandatory as a Component Engineer or Electronic Hardware Designer

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.