Chemical Propulsion Systems engineer

Overview

Location: Oxford, United Kingdom. Thales Alenia Space (a joint venture between Thales 67% and Leonardo 33%) is a global space manufacturer delivering high-tech solutions across telecommunications, navigation, Earth Observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. We offer opportunities to learn and develop your career with us. Thales UK researches, develops, and supplies technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better and keep us safer. We innovate across Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Where possible we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Due to the growth of our propulsion centre of excellence based at our Harwell site in the UK, we are looking for an experienced chemical propulsion engineer. Drawing on your significant space propulsion systems experience (minimum 5 years) in chemical propulsion, this is an excellent time to be joining this team. The position will be based at the TAS UK Harwell office.

Primary Purpose of the Role

Reporting to the Propulsion Systems Engineering Manager, the Systems Engineer will perform, but is not limited to the following activities:

• To be a senior figure supporting various projects and team members in general within the existing team.
• Propulsion subsystem and propulsion equipment activities (EP and/or CP) during Phase A/B/C/D/E for recurring TAS satellite product line application programmes or developments.
• Be the primary technical point of contact responsible and lead for the propulsion subsystem, in both MAIT and Architecture, including procured propulsion equipment on a project, interfacing with customer technical teams, PMO, AIT team, procurement and other subsystem experts (such as Mech/Thermal, AOCS).
• Interpret mission/customer specific and generic system level requirements and establish the baseline technical requirements document (TRD) for the propulsion subsystem.
• Provide technical support to system level propulsion trade-offs for optimization of the satellite and mission design.
• Support the preparation of subsystem design justification documentation for major design reviews throughout the project life cycle.
• Present subsystem design justification in major design reviews throughout the project life cycle in cooperation with the Program Management Office and other subsystems.
• Review and consolidate the technical documentation for the system through the different project life cycle milestones and reviews (EQSR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, QR, etc.).
• Establishing integration and test plans and requirements for the subsystem, development and improvement of new analysis tools in specialised fluidic software (e.g. EcosimPro), and also in Excel, MATLAB, and Python.
• Performance analyses in support of non-conformance review board.
• Prepare/update subsystem analysis reports through the different project life cycle milestones and reviews (PDR, CDR, QR, etc.).
• Demonstrates systems engineering knowledge – across the “Systems V” – to achieve critical project outcomes to time, cost and quality.
• Understanding requirement management – traceability, IVVQ, etc.
• Provide regular reporting of technical progress to the project team and TAS management.
• Provide technical input to future propulsion developments and contribute to continuous improvement of products, systems and processes.
• Follow up equipment procurement from a technical perspective, in conjunction with the procurement department.
• Participate/Oversee the propulsion module manufacture and AIT activities.
• Manage any anomalies or non-conformances occurring throughout the project life cycle at equipment or subsystem level with support from product engineers and technical experts and present technical status/progress in NCRs with the customer.

Expected Behaviours

• Clearly demonstrable technical competence on subsystems/equipment.
• Can communicate technically with confidence.
• Team player who can confidently interface at all levels within a project and represent the company externally (with suppliers and customers).
• Pro-active and capable of working on own initiative with high level of integrity.
• Proactively seeks to understand the wider TAS organisation thinking beyond own role/technical skill domain.
• Has good commercial awareness of their specialist equipment.
• Ability to complete tasks autonomously to cost, schedule and quality.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

The following are considered essential for this role:

• Degree level qualification in a discipline associated with Space Engineering (such as engineering) or related subjects (such as physics).
• Significant direct experience in space engineering and the industry, in particular with propulsion.
• Desirable: Experience in the design and development of mono or bi-propellent thrusters using hydrazine and experience working at a system/subsystem level with said engines.
• Desirable: understanding of construction, running and operating principles of PPUs and similar supporting electrical suppliers.

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In line with Thales baseline security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

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