Catia Design Engineer

Thales; East Hagbourne; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Cycle to work schemes

Employee discounts

Annual bonus

Paid volunteering day

Job summary

Thales is seeking a Design Engineer to develop mechanical and thermal solutions for space propulsion systems. This role involves full lifecycle ownership from concept to delivery, ensuring designs meet project timelines and quality standards.

Key responsibilities include developing designs, managing configurations with PLM tools, and ensuring compliance with manufacturing requirements. Applicants should have a strong foundation in mechanical design, preferably with CATIA V5 experience. Benefits include private medical insurance and more.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in mechanical design and engineering principles.
• Proficiency in CATIA V5 (V6 desirable) and PLM systems such as ENOVIA.
• Experience with Design for Manufacture (DfM) and engineering change control.

Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical designs for space systems and subsystems.
• Create and maintain 3D models, 2D drawings, and interface definitions.
• Conduct trade-off studies and contribute to design decisions.

Skills

Mechanical design fundamentals

Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6

Experience with PLM systems

DfM and engineering change control

Understanding of BS 8888 and GD&T

Communication and stakeholder management

Competence with Excel and PowerPoint

Job description

Location

Oxford, United Kingdom

Job Purpose

We are seeking a Design Engineer to support the development of mechanical and thermal solutions for space propulsion subsystems and equipment. This role involves full lifecycle ownership of design activities, from concept through to delivery, ensuring alignment with project timelines, cost constraints, and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical designs for space systems, subsystems, and ground support equipment using CATIA V5/V6.
• Create and maintain 3D models, 2D drawings, and interface definitions.
• Manage product structures and configurations using PLM tools (ENOVIA preferred).
• Support design reviews across project milestones (PDR, CDR, QR).
• Conduct trade‑off studies and contribute to integrated product design decisions.
• Ensure designs meet manufacturing, assembly, and integration requirements.
• Generate Bills of Materials (BoMs) and manage engineering change processes.
• Coordinate interfaces across spacecraft systems and multidisciplinary teams.
• Produce analysis input data and manufacturing/assembly documentation.
• Review designs for accuracy, tolerancing, and completeness.
• Monitor progress, workload, and deliverables for design work packages.
• Engage with suppliers, customers, and partners to support design activities.

Key Skills and Experience

• Strong foundation in mechanical design and engineering principles.
• Proficiency in CATIA V5 (V6 desirable) and PLM systems such as ENOVIA.
• Experience with Design for Manufacture (DfM) and engineering change control.
• Solid understanding of drawing standards (e.g. BS 8888) and GD&T.
• Experience creating and managing BoMs.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Competence with tools such as Excel and PowerPoint.

Desirable Experience

• Background in the space or aerospace sector.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary project environments.
• Exposure to customer and supplier interactions.
• Familiarity with advanced CAD modules such as sheet metal, pipe routing, harnessing, composites, kinematics, or additive manufacturing design.

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 Security Clearance (SC). 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. To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

Benefits

We offer private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

Equal Opportunities

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.