At a Glance
- Tasks: Design innovative mechanical solutions for cutting-edge weapon systems and collaborate with diverse teams.
- Company: Thales, a global tech leader in defence and aerospace.
- Benefits: Private medical insurance, annual bonus, flexible leave options, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Opportunities for personal development and international career growth.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact on national security technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and proficiency in CAD software.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Belfast, 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.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Design Engineer who has a proven ability to apply engineering first principles and knowledge to new & existing products within the IAS portfolio. Working as part of a large Mechanical Design team, the Senior Mechanical Design Engineer collaborates with local teams and multiple stakeholders to produce detailed Mechanical designs and support a range of Weapon System, Missile and Platform products to satisfy customer requirements. As we enter a period of significant growth, we are seeking experienced engineers that have a proven track record and ability to implement excellent mechanical design process principles to projects to ensure project delivery and robust design output.
Life as a Thales Mechanical Engineering Role
- Perform a subset of all the hardware engineering activities applicable to Mechanical Engineering
- Analyse the mechanical needs whatever the used means (e.g. advanced studies, simulations, mock-ups, models, prototypes)
- Describe the mechanical functions, requirements and development plan
- Elaborate the data package to be transferred to production
- Work collaboratively with production and procurement to produce cost effective, easy to manufacture mechanical design solutions
- Monitor, plan and organise mechanical activities to measure and report on the technical progress
- Propose and justify technical, technological and methodological choices in accordance with the approved mechanical architecture and design
- Monitor compliance of designs against target costs and lead time
Your Career At Thales
- Room and attention to personal development
- Build your talents in another domain of Thales Group, discovering new products, new customers, new country or go to a more complex Solution
- Choose between a technical expertise or a leadership path
- Build an international career within a leading Engineering Group
General Responsibilities
- Leverage engineering fundamentals to make sound decisions on complex technical issues
- Proactively challenge and drive team, self and organisation to deliver improved quality and performance related to engineering design
- Detailed Mechanical Design (supported by a range of CAE applications)
- Maintain product documentation in line with department processes
- Collaborate with multiple stakeholders across business unit, and beyond to ensure robust product designs
- Perform engineering change related tasks, ensuring BOM & process integrity
Essential Criteria
- Degree (or similar) in engineering related discipline, preferably Mechanical Engineering
- Experience & proficient in CAD software and its use in Mechanical design (Particularly Creo and/or Catia)
- Experience in producing Engineering Drawings & application of GD&T and knowledge of BS8888
- Experience in PLM software such as Windchill
- Experience in Design for Manufacture principles and application to designs
- Experience in BOM creation and Engineering Change processes (with consideration given to implications of changes managing through the process)
- Experience in using international standards as part of product design process
- Proficient in use of Microsoft office applications
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.
Senior Mechanical Engineer employer: Thales
Thales is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Crawley where innovation meets social responsibility. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to market-leading training and mentorship from industry experts, alongside competitive benefits such as private healthcare, a robust pension plan, and opportunities for career advancement within a diverse global organisation. Join us to contribute to cutting-edge projects in defence and aerospace while enjoying a supportive culture that values your growth and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Engineer
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Thales.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Thales love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Thales and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Mechanical Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Thales and the Senior Mechanical Engineer role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thales
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Thales.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Thales.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Thales, making you a more appealing candidate.
