Propulsion Technical and Product Strategy Lead

Be among the first 25 applicants. Thales Alenia Space UK is the Propulsion Competence Centre and Propulsion Engineering Centre of Excellence for the Thales Alenia Space Joint Venture. The purpose of this role is to work TAS‑JV wide to direct and inform the propulsion strategy for the wider TAS.

In the frame of the Thales Alenia Space (TAS) propulsion capability this is a transnational role:

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• A Senior Technical Leader of TAS‑UK, influencing bid, design, development, qualification, test and production strategy and implementation of all propulsion sub‑systems TAS‑UK achieved over £200m of OI in Propulsion in 2024. This role is absolutely critical in delivering the capability for the business.
  
• Significant experience in understanding market trends and customer needs, and will use this knowledge to develop the wider TAS JV portfolio plan for space propulsion.
  
• An experienced, knowledgeable senior technical leader who offers deep technical knowledge in the domain of propulsion for space missions. Recognised by their team and the wider TAS JV as a knowledge leader in the industry.
  
• Ensure key flow down of future developments to procurement team to enable key technology developments.
  
• Provide informed advice on benefits of technical innovations and new concepts in propulsion.
  
• Interact with TAS JV wider to direct and to collect and inform the propulsion strategy for the wider TAS.
  
• Work with the TAS Propulsion Competence Centre to support propulsion systems manufacturing in Belfast, concerning strategy, funding and approach.
  
• Provide technical support/advice to the UK technical Director.
  
• Maintain and grow relationships across all TAS domains and the TAS Product manager community.
  
• Lead on the development and delivery of TAS‑UK Propulsion strategy.
  
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  • Lead on the adoption of technical principles that lay the foundations for propulsion excellence.
    
  • Manage relationships with UKSA and ESA as a go‑to technical leader who can influence customer strategy and procurement decisions.
    
  • Engage with the Engineering leadership and workforce for high performance.
    
  • Refine and improve the phases of TAS‑UK propulsion activity, build plans around excellence and work with the Engineering Leadership team to execute.
    
  • Work with the procurement function to assure our Supply Chain propulsion activity is of a high technical standard and supporting supplier excellence.
    
  • Engaging in CCRs or Gates acting as delegate for Technical Director as required.
    
  • Support the development of talent through training and education.
    
  • Work collaboratively with the Head of Engineering to ensure strong focus on meeting design release dates in line with procurement and production timescales.
    
  • Lead a strategy portfolio of space propulsion projects with over £200m revenue over 3‑6 year timeframe.
    
  
  
• Ensure participation in gates to ensure the correct TAS JV strategy is followed across the wider JV, across all supporting departments and entities.
  
• Support technical and project reviews during lifecycle in conjunction with engineering team and project and bid community.
  
• Provide timely and practical advice and direction on overcoming technical/programmatic challenges.
  
• Evaluate the technical approach and make recommendations to the projects and bids. Assist in managing the engineering approach accordingly. Identify optimum solutions to deliver strategy.
  
• Analyze market to provide the technical roadmap to be followed by all sales/marketing and project/bid campaigns.
  
• Support Tender Evaluation Boards for both make and buy propulsion bids and projects.
  
• Provide recommendations to support business cases for investing in tools & software.
  
• Review and develop design and development processes to support capability growth in their skill areas.
  
• Identify opportunities for productivity improvements for discussion with the Skill Leads, Resourcing Manager and Propulsion Product Manager.
  

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• Outstanding record of technical management of propulsion systems for space flight.
  
• Deep experience as a technical lead for multiple space missions from concept through to delivery.
  
• Experience of working in a multi‑discipline team environment.
  
• Wide customer, supplier, market and institutional network and awareness, including internal stakeholders to TASUK.
  
• Experience in the Space domain working for institutional and commercial customers.
  
• Excellent communication and networking skills on technical topics at the highest levels of an organisation.
  
• Outstanding behaviours, engaging with people at all levels within the organisation in a positive way, building lasting relationships that deliver value for the organisation.
  

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• Relevant engineering degree, preferably PhD level qualification(s).
  

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• A paragon of the Thales Leadership Model, the role-holder leads with outstanding behaviours, tackling complex and challenging problems whilst honouring the need for positive and long‑lasting relationships with colleagues at all levels.
  
• Displays energy, drive, agility and resilience in achieving work‑related goals under difficult circumstances. Enjoys or thrives on developing and performing through teamwork, and promoting improvements and change.
  
• Ability to interface well and influence effectively, and tenaciously, at all levels including internally and externally with customers, partners and suppliers.
  
• Business aware and customer oriented with organisational and commercial awareness.
  
• A strategic thinker who can work innovatively with sometimes‑unclear briefs; a persistent and tenacious high‑achiever, with the ability to quickly learn new skills and concepts.
  
• Be customer/market focused both internally and externally to ensure that the needs of the customers are met.
  

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.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment process and will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure applicants with a disability or long‑term condition can apply in a format that suits them.