Software Product Owner

Location: Hengelo, Netherlands About us In the heart of our Engineering cluster in Hengelo lies the software engineering department, where we drive the development of cutting-edge combat and information management systems for naval vessels. Our expertise extends to seamless integration with sensor and weapon systems, alongside the creation of advanced sensor processing applications. These sophisticated systems are trusted by global partners, serving to protect lives and uphold the fundamental rights of every individual. At the core of critical operations, our software is the linchpin, ensuring resilience in the face of high-stakes scenarios. Within the software engineering department, and more specifically for the Combat Management System Infrastructure team, we are in search of exceptional talent: Product Owner (Medior/Senior) About the job As a Product Owner, you will be the voice of the customer and the strategic guide for a multidisciplinary Agile/Scrum team. Your core responsibilities will be to: Own the Vision: Act as the direct liaison between our internal customers, the product roadmap, and the system architecture. Drive Development: Manage and prioritize the Product Backlog for the Command & Control system infrastructure, directing one or more dedicated Agile/Scrum teams. Define and Deliver: Translate complex operational requirements into clear, actionable development tasks. Make progress and output visible and communicate within an large scaled agile environment. Set the Standard: Ensure the delivery of a resilient, secure, and performant infrastructural application that is ready for high-stakes operational deployment. About you Are you passionate about technology? Do you enjoy constantly developing your skills? Are you interested in working on Naval systems? If so, you might be the person we are looking for. We seek a talented Product Owner who excels in complex deployments of systems, has strong communication and analytical skills, and embodies a growth and agile mindset. You are a strategic thinker with a passion for complex system deployment and a desire to work on mission-critical naval technology. Your Profile The Mindset: You embody a growth and agile mindset. You are passionate about technology, committed to continuous skill development, and eager to stay ahead of industry trends. The Skills: Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and analytical skills are a must. You excel at taking ambiguous requirements and transforming them into a clear, executable plan with the ability to align different interests and make clear trade‑off decisions. The Background: Proven experience as a Product Owner in a challenging technical domain. Experience with Scaled Agile frameworks (e.g., SAFe) is a strong plus. Solid understanding of Java-based applications and related technologies. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to align different interests and make clear trade‑off decisions. Technical familiarity with Linux environments is required. Qualifications A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, IT Service Management, or a comparable technical field. Fluent professional communication skills in English (written and verbal). What's in it for you A challenging job in a great team within our high-tech, innovative work environment. Includes the freedom for initiative and good ideas. Room for personal and professional growth within our organization, for example in regards to technical, commercial or international skills. Valuable international collaboration with coworkers from 68 different countries around the globe. A comfortable work space in a modern environment, with a focus on flexibility and the right work life balance. You can usually work where and when you want to be able to do your work as well and efficiently as possible. Within Thales we implement hybrid working, where you can, for example, work from home two days a week if your role allows it. A good salary, fitting travel allowance, and the ability to personalize your employment conditions: for instance, you can trade days off for internet costs, our bicycle plan, company fitness and relocation costs. 40 days off per year (PTO).