Hybrid AI Assurance Lead

at Thales

• Job title: AI Assurance Lead
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Crawley, United Kingdom

About the role

• AI Assurance Lead at Thales UK, championing AI assurance practices for machine learning projects. Support high standards of ethics, safety, reliability, and legal compliance in AI solutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and Implement AI Assurance Frameworks: Create and maintain comprehensive assurance frameworks for AI systems, ensuring alignment with internal and external standards (e.g. ISO/IEC, NIST, UK/EU, UK Defence standards and regulations).
• Governance and Risk Management: Lead AI risk assessments and compliance checks, identifying and mitigating risks related to safety, ethics, data privacy, robustness, and explainability.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with engineering, product management, legal, and operational teams to ensure AI assurance requirements are captured and met throughout project lifecycles.
• Audit and Review: Manage independent assurance audits, drive continuous improvement through lessons learned, and report key findings and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Training and Awareness: Develop and deliver AI assurance training, promoting a culture of responsible innovation throughout Thales UK’s AI community.
• Reporting & Documentation: Lead the creation and maintenance of assurance documentation, evidencing compliance for internal and external stakeholders.
• External Engagement: Represent Thales UK in relevant industry forums, regulatory engagements, and standardisation activities related to AI assurance and trustworthiness.

Requirements

• Proven experience in AI/ML assurance, validation, governance or compliance within highly regulated or safety-critical domains.
• Deep understanding of AI/ML technologies and their risk landscape (bias, explainability, robustness, etc).
• Sound knowledge of national/international AI assurance standards and regulatory frameworks.
• Demonstrable expertise in risk management, audit, and quality assurance methodologies.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage technical and non-technical audiences, including senior stakeholders.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams within complex organisations.
• Relevant degree (e.g. computer science, engineering, mathematics, information security); advanced or professional qualifications an advantage.

Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Access to training, professional development and Thales global AI communities.
• Competitive salary, benefits, and a vibrant, inclusive workplace.