Mechanical Engineer - RCS Trials in Somerset

Wells, United Kingdom. Thales people provide armed forces customers with operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defence mission systems solutions at land, sea, and air. Our platforms extend across the battlespace including Above and Sonar, Electronic Combat, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems.

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 develop their expertise in the specification, design and build of target support structures and range facilities for radar signature measurements, as well as preparation and treatment of measurement targets and supporting structures to minimise RCS returns.

Responsibilities

• Understanding of RCS measurement requirements and the specific requirements this imposes 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.
• Investigate/identify target/range anomalous returns.
• Liaising with customers 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.
• Holder or able to achieve Forklift accreditation.
• Holder or 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.

Additional Information

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last five years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last five years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks. 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.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working. Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro‑diverse applicants or those with a disability or long‑term condition can be their best during the recruitment process.