Propulsion Systems Engineer

Thales Group; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Half-day Friday

28 days annual leave

Volunteer days

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Life cover

EAP program

Discount schemes

Gym membership

Job summary

Thales Group is seeking a Propulsion Systems Engineer to own the propulsion subsystem on satellite projects in an on-site Oxford role.

You will define requirements, justify designs, and lead MAIT/AIT activities across Phase A–E, collaborating with Mech/Thermal and AOCS teams while developing tools in EcosimPro, MATLAB, Python, and Excel.

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering, space engineering, physics, or related discipline.
• Experience in propulsion subsystem design or development is preferred.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage technical interfaces.
• Security clearance or eligibility for UK SC clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead propulsion subsystem architecture and trade-offs for satellite design.
• Define and maintain the TRD with traceability to requirements.
• Prepare design justification for major reviews (PDR, CDR, QR).
• Develop MAIT/AIT plans and oversee propulsion tests.
• Build analysis tools in EcosimPro, MATLAB, Python, and Excel.
• Interface with customers, PMO, AIT, procurement, and other subsystems.

Skills

Propulsion systems engineering

Systems engineering

Analytical thinking

Education

Engineering degree

Space engineering

Physics degree

Tools

EcosimPro

MATLAB

Python

Excel

Job description

## Propulsion Systems EngineerApply: On-Site: Oxford: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: October 30, 2026 (30+ days left to apply): R0337915Location: Oxford, United KingdomThales 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.Join Thales Alenia Space’s UK **Propulsion Centre of Excellence** at Harwell, supporting Europe’s leading satellite programmes (including Spacebus NEO and Space INSPIRE). You’ll work on cutting-edge chemical and electric propulsion subsystems for recurring and new satellite product lines, from early mission phases through to operations. 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**As a **Propulsion Systems Engineer**, you’ll be primarily in charge for the propulsion subsystem on projects, owning requirements, design justification, integration & test, and performance analysis across the full project life cycle (Phase A–E). **You will:*** Lead propulsion subsystem architecture and trade-offs to optimise satellite/mission design.* Define and maintain the subsystem **Technical Requirements Document (TRD)** and ensure requirements traceability.* Prepare and present design justification at major reviews (**PDR, CDR, QR**, etc.).* Develop integration & test plans and oversee propulsion module **MAIT/AIT** activities.* Build and improve analysis tools in **EcosimPro**, **MATLAB**, **Python**, and Excel; run performance analyses for non-conformance reviews.* Interface with customers, PMO, AIT, procurement, and other subsystem experts (Mech/Thermal, AOCS). **You’ll bring****Essential*** Degree in engineering, space engineering, physics, or a closely related discipline. **Desirable (one of the following tracks)*** Direct space industry experience with propulsion subsystems.* **Chemical propulsion:** design/development of mono- or bipropellant thrusters at system/subsystem level. **OR*** **Electric propulsion:** design/development of **Gridded Ion Engines (GIE)** or **Hall Effect Thrusters (HET/HAT)** at system/subsystem level. Strong communicators who can work autonomously, manage technical interfaces, and deliver to cost, schedule, and quality will thrive here. **Why join?*** Work on high-visibility European satellite missions from a recognised **propulsion CoE**.* Hands-on involvement from concept through to AIT and operations, with real technical ownership.* Collaborative, international environment with clear progression pathways in systems engineering. **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 you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. 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. If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a non-ITAR country may be considered.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. #LI-DB1