Propulsion Industrialisation Expert

Thales Group; Harwell; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

28 days annual leave

Job summary

Thales is expanding its Propulsion Centre of Excellence at the Harwell site. We seek a Propulsion Industrialisation Expert to drive industrialisation activities for propulsion subsystems across EP/CP technologies, ensuring readiness for flight production from early design stages.

You will collaborate with MAIT, AIT, procurement, and supplier teams to develop build/test means, de-risk manufacturing, and secure capability to meet production rates. Security clearance is required.

Qualifications

• MAIT experience is required.
• Strong understanding of industrialisation and IVVQ principles.
• Proven propulsion or related industrialisation background.
• Experience managing suppliers and supporting procurement.

Responsibilities

• Define propulsion subsystem TRD baselines from requirements.
• Act as technical lead for propulsion subsystem including procurement.
• Interface with customer teams, PMO, AIT, and other sub-systems.
• Lead propulsion subsystem industrialisation and readiness activities.

Skills

MAIT experience

Industrialisation

Propulsion

Supplier management

Stakeholder management

IVVQ principles

Job description

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Due to the growth of our Propulsion Centre of Excellence at our Harwell site, we’re making new hires into our propulsion systems team. This is an excellent time to join if you have propulsion industrial experience and want to play a key role in ensuring industrial readiness for flight production, with a particular focus on building robust test and production means from the earliest stages of design development.

Governments and private industry rely on us to create satellite‑based systems that provide trusted, anytime‑anywhere connectivity and positioning—helping care for our planet, manage its resources thoughtfully, and explore our Solar System with curiosity and purpose. We view space as a new horizon for collective progress, shaping a more sustainable life on Earth. As a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space partners with Telespazio through the Space Alliance to deliver a full suite of integrated solutions and services.

The role:

Reporting to the Head of Discipline - Propulsion Systems, the Propulsion Industrialisation Expert will be responsible for a wide range of propulsion subsystem and equipment activities across EP and/or CP technologies during Phases A to E for recurring TAS satellite product line application programmes and developments .This role will play a key part in ensuring industrial readiness for flight production, with a strong focus on early industrial preparation, build and test means, and manufacturing readiness.

Key Responsibilities:

• Interpret mission-specific, customer-specific, and generic system-level requirements, and establish the baseline Technical Requirements Document (TRD) for the propulsion subsystem.
• Act as the primary technical point of contact for the propulsion subsystem, covering both MAIT and architecture aspects, including procured propulsion equipment.
• Interface with customer technical teams, PMO, AIT, procurement, and other subsystem experts such as Mechanical, Thermal, and AOCS.
• Lead propulsion subsystem industrialisation activities, ensuring build and test requirements are considered from the earliest stages of design development.
• Work with suppliers of new equipment developments to ensure recurring delivery in line with programme needs.
• Collaborate with the propulsion AIT facility in Belfast, as well as AIT teams and suppliers, to ensure capability and capacity are in place to meet the required production rate.
• Ensure industrial means are planned, developed, and de-risked ahead of need, including MRR/TRR activities and GSE.
• Act as the bridge between TAS Industrialisation Teams and propulsion project teams, supporting production, test requirements, and DfM topics.
• Provide technical oversight of production process development and verification, including anomaly investigations.
• Oversee production control, planning, and materials management activities.
• Manage supplier development teams, including engineering support to procurement and industrial audit assessments.
• Drive resolution of supplier issues and ensure robust corrective actions are implemented.
• Maintain strong knowledge of equipment across both CP and EP technologies.

Required Experience:

• Strong MAIT experience.
• Strong understanding of industrialisation and IVVQ principles.
• Proven experience in propulsion or related technical industrialisation roles.
• Demonstrated ability to manage suppliers and support procurement activities.
• Strong background in resolving technical and delivery issues with suppliers.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Benefits:

• Performance-related bonus
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
• 24 hours volunteering paid for
• Private healthcare
• Pension scheme
• Life cover
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts

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