Mechanical Engineer - RCS Trials

Location: Wells, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Working within a small team of engineers primarily at the Thales Underwood Quarry site in Wells to supply Radar Cross Section (RCS) measurement services to the UK Ministry of Defence and industry partners. The team is responsible for conducting both indoor and outdoor RCS measurement tasks to enable characterisation of customer-supplied assets/platforms of varying physical size and expected signature level. The Mechanical Engineer will be looking to develop their expertise and understanding in the specification, design and build of target support structures and range facilities for radar signature measurements, as well as preparation treatment of measurement targets and supporting structures to minimise RCS returns from targets and their artefacts. This is a hands-on role learning alongside the Mechanical Engineering Lead.

The Mechanical Engineer covers the following activities:

• Understanding of RCS measurement requirements and the specific requirements this impinges upon mechanical design.
• Practical workshop and spray skills and ability to liaise with sub-contractors.
• Support in the performance of measurement tasks.
• Communication/reporting of outputs to customers.

Key Development Responsibilities:

• Assembly/modification of customer assets in line with their instructions.
• Operation of mechanical workshop area.
• Spraying of electrically conductive coatings and other specialist materials.
• Design and manufacture of the target support and handling structures to meet individual measurement tasks requirements.
• Preparation and definition of lifting plans to ensure the safe practice of moving customer assets and measurement support equipment.
• Liaising with sub-contractors on design and manufacture of target supporting structures.
• Design and build of the mechanical supporting and environmental protection structure for the radar antenna farm to meet individual measurement task requirements.
• As part of the RSM team investigate/identify target/range anomalous returns.
• Liaising with customers both directly and within meetings, to properly identify target measurement requirements aiding identification of optimal supporting structures and target treatments to meet their requirement.

Supporting Role:

• Support the RSM Engineer in the preparation of the Task Measurement Plan.
• Support the RSM Engineer in the processing of measurement data.
• Support the RCS Trials Team Leader in the preparation of Bids.
• Support the RCS Engineer in the preparation of the Task Measurement Plan.
• Support the Radar Engineer in the operation of the radar.
• Support the Service Delivery Manager in the safe running of the Underwood Quarry site.
• General support activities.

Behaviours:

• Creative problem solver, with a hands-on mentality.
• Team player – keen to contribute to making the project and every task a success.
• Able to change easily and adapt to different conditions and circumstances as the current task requires.
• Care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties.
• Self-motivated.
• Keeping abreast of future signature measurement and disruptive technologies.
• Willing to undertake additional roles and responsibilities to ensure the smooth running of a small satellite Thales facility.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience:

• Practical workshop skills and ability to liaise with sub-contractors in aid of the design and manufacture of target supporting structures.
• Holder or able to achieve security clearance to Developed Vetting (DV) Status.
• Holder or able to achieve Working at Height accreditation.
• Holder or able to achieve IPAF.
• Hold or be able to achieve Forklift accreditation.
• Hold or be able to achieve Overhead Crane and Slinging accreditation.
• Qualified to degree level (or qualified by experience) in Physics or Mechanical Engineering ideally with a specialisation in Electromagnetic theory.
• Experienced in the use of 3D modelling packages, i.e. ACAD/ProE, for the preparation of drawings for the manufacture of aids for measurement tasks.
• Technical competence in the planning and execution of Technical Measurement Trials Activity and associated responsibilities.
• Effective stakeholder management and communication skills.

Security Clearance Requirement:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a sole British National from birth and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring.