Chemical Propulsion Systems engineer

Thales
Didcot
6 days ago
Applications closed

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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
  • 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’s on a project, interfacing with the 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 establishing 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 & reviews (EQSR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, QR, etc).
  • Establish 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.
  • Perform performance analyses in support of non‑conformance review board.
  • Prepare/update subsystem analysis reports through the different project life cycle milestones & reviews (PDR, CDR, QR, etc).
  • Demonstrate systems engineering knowledge – across the Systems V – to achieve critical project outcomes to time, cost and quality.
  • Understand 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’s.
  • 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 his or her specialist equipment.
  • Ability to complete his or her tasks autonomously to cost, schedule and quality.
Qualifications, Skills & Experience
  • 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‑propellant 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.
Seniority level

Not Applicable

Employment type

Full‑time

Industries

Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing, Defense and Space Manufacturing, and Space Research and Technology

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