Head Of Digital Software Engineering M/F

Airbus Commercial Aircraft is looking for a Head of Digital Software Engineering (f/m) to join our Digital Department based in Toulouse, France.

As a Head of Digital Software Engineering, you will report directly to the Head of Digital Infrastructure and Platforms (DI) and you will be in charge of leading the Digital Software Engineering teams. You will manage the Digital Software Engineering Product Service Line (PSL) comprising the following digital products and sub-products, which serve the key stakeholders:

• API & Integration platform services
• Enterprise DevOps platform services
• Digital Experience platform services
• Software Enablement & Governance products services
• Software and Infrastructure design

Your scope of activities covers Airbus Commercial, its Divisions (Airbus Defense and Space, Airbus Helicopter) and its subsidiaries.

Working environment: Globally headquartered in aeronautics and the European capital for space research, Toulouse offers a dynamic city with an international airport and proximity to the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Pyrenees mountains.

Benefits

• Financial rewards: Attractive salary, agreements on success and profit‑sharing schemes, an employee savings plan, and an employee stock purchase plan.
• Work/Life Balance: Extra days‑off for special occasions, holiday transfer option, staff council providing social, cultural, and sporting activities.
• Wellbeing/Health: Complementary health insurance coverage (disability, invalidity, death) and depending on site: health services centre, concierge services, gym, carpooling application.
• Individual development: Upskilling opportunities with unlimited access to over 10,000 e‑learning courses, certifications, and accelerated development programmes, national and international mobility.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and train a team of 100 highly skilled engineers across Europe and India.
• Provide technical and business vision around software engineering as a means of delivering software and business value at scale.
• Manage a platform approach and business model with a constant focus on lowering TCO, ensuring mass‑scale adoption, customer focus, and value (lead time and self‑service).
• Drive software development excellence through a data‑centric approach and standard KPIs embedded in our digital supply chain contracts.
• Develop team members in accordance with their career aspirations and competencies.
• Develop engagement, leadership, and agility of the team and ensure overall efficiency against ambitious objectives.
• Define, lead, and execute a compelling yet ambitious vision around software engineering and how it changes the way we deliver software at Airbus.
• Understand company priorities and strategy to determine appropriate financial investment based on business case and data‑driven approach.
• Track global tech advancements and embed them within Airbus operations to ensure long‑term software competitiveness (AI).
• Steer organizational adaptation through rigorous portfolio analysis and consideration of core/non‑core activities, make‑or‑buy decisions, and balancing European and Indian teams.

Role Scope

Team size: 100 active workforce. Direct reports: 7 operational (including 5 managers). Indirect reports: 3 in India, 1 senior group manager, and 2 group managers.

Operating budget: NRCs €6 M, RCs €20 M.

Strategic dimension: Deliver and maintain software platforms for 12 000+ internal and external developers across all IM domains and business functions; collaborate across divisions and affiliates to harmonise platforms; drive adoption on all major platforms and programmes; reduce lead time and complexity for customers; build and launch low‑code/no‑code products; integrate with other technical bricks such as identity and access management, public and private cloud, cyber security, digital workplace, and extended enterprise.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Minimum 10 years in senior technology leadership roles.
• Hands‑on coding experience of at least 5 years (mandatory).
• Deep expertise in DevSecOps, API‑first, UX, software design, and platform strategy.
• Expertise in building self‑service platforms.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies such as AI and low‑code/no‑code.
• Experience managing significant P&L of €25M+.
• Strong financial stewardship and customer‑first mindset.
• Global delivery experience balancing European and Indian offshore operations.
• Negotiation‑level proficiency in English (mandatory); French, German, or Spanish is a plus.
• Public speaking ability to translate complex technical topics.
• Awareness of potential compliance risks and commitment to act with integrity.
• Visionary strategic leadership, change leadership, coaching ability, and executive influence.

Company information and EEO statement

Airbus SAS – Employment Type: Permanent – Classe H16 – Experience Level: Professional – Job Family: Leadership.

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Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. No monetary exchange will ever be requested during the recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus for this purpose should be reported to