Propulsion Technical and Product Strategy Lead

Thales Alenia Space UK is the Propulsion Competence Centre and Propulsion Engineering Centre of Excellence for the wider Thales Alenia Space Joint Venture. This transnational role directs and informs the propulsion strategy across TAS, contributing to the development of high‑value propulsion solutions for space missions.

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• Senior technical leader for TAS‑UK, influencing bid, design, development, qualification, test and production strategy for all propulsion sub‑systems.
  
• Analyse market trends and customer needs to inform the TAS‑JV propulsion portfolio plan.
  
• Provide deep technical knowledge, recognized as a knowledge leader within the industry.
  
• Ensure flow‑down of future developments to the procurement team and advise on technical innovations and new concepts.
  
• Collaborate with TAS‑JV to shape and collect propulsion strategy, supporting manufacturing strategy, funding and approach at the Propulsion Competence Centre.
  
• Provide technical support to the UK Technical Director and maintain relationships across all TAS domains and the product manager community.
  
• Lead the development and delivery of the TAS‑UK propulsion strategy, adopting principles that underpin propulsion excellence.
  
• Manage relationships with UKSA and ESA as a technical leader influencing customer strategy and procurement decisions.
  
• Engage with engineering leadership and workforce to drive high performance, refine propulsion phases and build excellence plans.
  
• Coordinate with procurement to ensure supply‑chain propulsion activities meet high technical standards and support supplier excellence.
  
• Act as a delegate for the Technical Director in CCRs or gates and support talent development through training and education.
  
• Collaborate with the Head of Engineering to meet design release dates in line with procurement and production timescales.
  
• Lead a strategy portfolio of space propulsion projects with over £200m of revenue over 3–6 years.
  
• Ensure participation in gates to align TAS‑JV strategy across all supporting departments and entities.
  
• Support technical and project reviews throughout the lifecycle with engineering and bid communities, providing timely and practical advice on technical challenges.
  
• Evaluate technical approaches, recommend solutions, and identify optimum paths to deliver strategic objectives.
  
• Analyse market to deliver the technical roadmap for sales, marketing, and bid campaigns.
  
• Support Tender Evaluation Boards for propulsion bids and projects.
  
• Recommend investment in tools and software to support business cases and review design/development processes to grow capability.
  
• Identify productivity improvements for skill leads, resourcing managers and propulsion product managers.
  

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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 to delivery.
  
• Experience working in multi‑disciplinary team environments.
  
• Extensive customer, supplier, market and institutional network awareness.
  
• Experience in the space domain with institutional and commercial customers.
  
• Excellent communication and networking skills on technical topics at senior levels.
  
• Outstanding business behaviours, building lasting relationships that deliver value.
  

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• Relevant engineering degree, preferably a PhD level qualification.
  

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• Paragon of the Thales Leadership Model, leading with outstanding behaviours and resilience.
  
• Displays energy, drive, agility and a proactive approach to teamwork and continuous improvement.
  
• Takes initiative to influence internally and externally with customers, partners and suppliers.
  
• Customer‑oriented with strong commercial awareness.
  
• Strategic thinker, skilled at navigating complex or ambiguous briefs, learning new concepts quickly.
  
• Customer and market‑focused to ensure needs are met at all levels.
  

In line with Thales' baseline security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full security clearance requiring further evidence.

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