Maintenance Subject Matter Expert

Location: Tokyo, Japan

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 Japan since 1970, Thales promotes technological innovation and is an active and recognised partner for the development of Japanese infrastructure. Our strategy focuses on strengthening local partnerships and collaborating with key Japanese industrial players to address global needs as we continuously establish a dynamic and skilled workforce.

A critical role in the Thales team is the Subject Matter Expert (SME) who will bring a depth of understanding, experience and insight of the maintenance operations to enable the Thales interventions to be focused where the value is greatest and most achievable.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The maintenance SME will need to bring to the team:

• Comprehensive subject matter expertise, understanding and insight of the end-to-end maintenance processes involved in supporting, replacing, repairing and maintaining JMSDF’s equipment for submarines.
• An ability to define and explain the processes, activities and interfaces involved in the end-to-end maintenance operations and the hand-off into the supply chain.
• An ability to define the stakeholders and organizations (JMSDF & Industry) involved in the end-to-end maintenance operations and the hand-off into the supply chain.
• A deep understanding of the operational priorities of the JMSDF and how to ‘get things done’ in that context.
• Insight to help identify candidate improvement initiatives and interventions.
• Insight to help prioritize which improvement initiatives have the potential to deliver lesser or greater impact on the availability of Thales’ product to the War fighter.
• Insight to help the Task Force understand, from a maintenance Operations perspective, which improvement initiatives are achievable (given the tools, processes, organizations, people and cultural context).

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE

• The successful candidate must have held a role recently (ideally within the last 1-2 years) of significant relevance to the subject matter (submarine support across the maintenance ecosystem with a priority in JMSDF and/or Japanese maintenance in support of maintenance primes).
• It is essential that the candidate has previous employment experience with the JMSDF and/or other Japanese organizations within the industry.
• The candidate must have a Japanese nationality and be a native Japanese speaker.
• The candidate must have fluency in English, both written and verbal.
• Ability to manage the communication in front of customers and represent the company during on-site visits.
• Able to travel within Japan or overseas for short period.
• Possesses strong communication and negotiation skills, demonstrates effective teamwork, and is both autonomous and self-motivated.

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.