Head of Discipline – Propulsion Systems

Thales
Didcot
3 days ago
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Lead and develop the Propulsion Systems Engineering department by setting strategic direction, driving innovation, and managing resources to deliver high-quality engineering solutions that support the company’s projects, bids, objectives and growth.


Responsibilities

  • Define and execute the strategic vision for the propulsion systems engineering team
  • Lead recruitment, define and optimise the team structure, and manage training and performance to build a highly effective engineering department
  • Headcount including forecasting and ensuring adequate resourcing for projects, bids, and technical studies
  • Drive technical innovation and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Collaborate with internal departments, suppliers, and customers to ensure alignment and support business development efforts
  • Prepare and review project and bid estimates, to support delivery and business growth
  • Define and monitor key performance indicators and implement measures to achieve targets
  • Ensure compliance with company policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in relevant Engineering discipline e.g. Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or Physics
  • Extensive experience in a comparable systems engineering role
  • Strong systems engineering expertise with the ability to oversee complex propulsion systems development from concept design and integration to testing and validation
  • Proven track record in resource planning, delivery and execution
  • Deep understanding of the space environment, requirements and space standards

Required Skills

  • Strategic thinking and problem-solving
  • Leadership, team and skills development
  • Effective communication
  • Competitiveness and customer focused mindset

Preferred Skills

  • Engineering delivery on time and within budget
  • Effective resourcing of projects, bids, and studies
  • Team performance, skills development and succession planning within the team

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 which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.


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.


To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.


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