Head of Strategic Innovation & Ecosystem Enablement Full Time NEW

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.

Present in India since 1953, Thales is headquartered in Noida and has other operational offices and sites spread across Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru and Mumbai, among others. Over 2200 employees are working with Thales and its joint ventures in India. Since the beginning, Thales has been playing an essential role in India’s growth story by sharing its technologies and expertise in Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital sectors. Thales has two engineering competence centres in India – one in Noida focused on Cyber & Digital business, while the one in Bengaluru focuses on hardware, software and systems engineering capabilities for both the civil and defence sectors, serving global needs. The Group has also established an MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) facility in Gurugram to provide comprehensive avionics maintenance and repair services to Indian airlines and support the growth of the local aviation industry.

Position Summary:

Digital transformation is underway at Thales, and CDI is expected to play a key role in accelerating this shift.

Tools, processes, and culture are all being impacted. Innovation can fully benefit from this transformation—if we truly put the user at the center of our approach.

Design Centers play a pivotal role in this transformation:

• Innovation Hub

A dedicated open environment where new ideas, prototypes, and concepts can be created, tested, and refined—together with customers, internal teams, and external partners such as universities.

• Talent Development

A space to upskill engineering teams in innovative mindsets, methodologies, and emerging technology trends.

• Collaboration Point

A bridge between global business strategy and local engineering capabilities, ensuring that technical efforts are aligned with both innovation goals and strategic vision.

Within the Design Center in Noida, this role acts as a strategic innovation enabler and connector, embedded in the local technology ecosystem and tightly aligned with global innovation priorities.

The Senior Manager – Strategic Innovation & Ecosystem Enablement is responsible for bridging advanced technology topics, local engineering capabilities, and business innovation opportunities across CDI Business Lines. The role does not focus on hands-on design delivery; instead, it actively structures, accelerates, and amplifies innovation through ecosystems, communities, and open innovation mechanisms.

Essential Functions / Key Areas Of Responsibility

The mission of this role is to embed Noida as a key innovation and technology node within the CDI global ecosystem by:

• Actively participating in and shaping the Noida Tech community
• Translating emerging technology signals (AI, digital, engineering breakthroughs, tools, platforms) into actionable innovation opportunities for CDI Business Lines.
• Structuring and animating open innovation challenges, exploratory initiatives, and early-stage innovation pipelines connected to real BL needs.
• Acting as a strategic bridge between local technical expertise, global innovation strategy, and business priorities.
• Working to position Noida as a recognized technology and innovation hub within the CDI global ecosystem
• Lead through influence rather than hierarchy, mobilizing senior stakeholders across engineering, innovation, and Business Lines.
• Coach leaders and teams on innovation framing, opportunity qualification, and early-stage exploration
• Represent the Noida Design Center in global innovation forums, steering committees, and ecosystem engagements.

Additional mission:

• As a coach, you will lead co-creation workshops and working sessions within CDI, with external customers, or in collaboration with other GBUs and their clients.

Minimum Requirements: Skills, Experience & Education

To succeed in this role, you should have the following qualities and skills:

• A strong user-centric mindset and an open, curious attitude.
• A high level of autonomy and self-motivation.
• A passion for technology and innovation.
• Comfort working in a highly technical, engineering-driven environment.
• The ability to drive innovation across diverse teams, geographies, and cultures—including colleagues in France, the USA, Singapore, and beyond.
• Solid expertise in innovation practices and Design Thinking methodologies.
• Ecosystem leadership, innovation orchestration, and strategic influence
• Proven experience in coaching teams on innovation topics and user-centered approaches.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with fluency in both spoken and written English.
• Experience working in an international, cross-cultural environment.

Preferred Education And Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in innovation, user-centered approach, or digital transformation projects.

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.