Propulsion Systems Engineer

UK Space Jobs; Rowstock; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

TAS UK Harwell hosts a propulsion systems engineering role focused on delivering space propulsion solutions for satellite programmes. The successful candidate will act as the propulsion subsystem lead across multiple phases, interfacing with customers, PMO, and AIT teams to ensure design integrity and timely delivery.

Strong background in propulsion (chemical or electrical) and systems engineering is essential, with experience in requirements management and technical reporting.

Qualifications

• Degree in Space Engineering or Physics is required.
• Direct experience in space engineering and propulsion is desirable.
• Experience designing propulsion systems or propulsion subsystems is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage work packages and studies to ensure timely engineering delivery.
• Provide regular technical progress reporting to the project team and TAS management.
• Lead propulsion subsystem activities for Phase A–D/E across satellite programmes.

Skills

Space engineering

Propulsion experience

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Education

Degree in Space Engineering or Physics

Tools

EcosimPro

Excel

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Job Family: 04 - R&D : SYSTEMS ENGINEERING & GENERAL STUDIES > 0405 - SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Travel Percentage: 10-20% (Requirements for occasional travel to other TAS sites, suppliers and external locations as necessary, mainly in UK/Europe)

Role Reports To: Head of Discipline - Propulsion

Job Description

Due to the growth of our propulsion centre of excellence based at our Harwell site we need to make a number of new hires in to this team. Drawing on your space propulsion systems experience (chemical or electrical) this is an excellent time to be joining this team. The position will be based at the TAS UK Harwell office.

Primary Purpose Of The Role

Reporting to the Propulsion Systems Engineering Manager the Systems Engineer will perform, but it not limited to the following type of activities:

• Work package and Study Management ensuring engineering delivery.
• Provide regular reporting of technical progress to the project team and TAS management.
• Propulsion subsystem and propulsion equipment activities (EP and/or CP) during Phase A/B/C/D/E for recurring TAS satellite product line application programmes or developments.
• Be the primary technical point of contact responsible and lead for the propulsion subsystem, in both MAIT and Architecture, including procured propulsion equipment’s on a project, interfacing with the, customer technical teams, PMO, AIT team, procurement and other subsystem experts, (such as Mech/Thermal, AOCS)
• Interpret mission/customer specific and generic system level requirements and establishing the baseline technical requirements document (TRD) for the propulsion subsystem
• Provide technical support to system level propulsion trade-offs for optimization of the satellite and mission design.
• Support the preparation of subsystem design justification documentation for major design reviews throughout the project life cycle
• Present subsystem design justification in major design reviews throughout the project life cycle in cooperation with the Program Management Office and other subsystems
• Review and consolidate the technical documentation for the system through the different project life cycle milestones & reviews (EQSR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, QR, etc)
• Establishing integration and test plans and requirements for the subsystem Development and improvement of new analysis tools in specialised fluidic software (e.g. EcosimPro), and also in Excel, MATLAB, and Python.
• Performance analyses in support of non-conformance review board.
• Prepare/update subsystem analysis reports through the different project life cycle milestones & reviews (PDR, CDR, QR etc)
• Demonstrates systems engineering knowledge – across the “Systems V” – to achieve critical project outcomes to time, cost and quality.
• Understanding requirement management – traceability, IVVQ, etc.
• Provide technical input to future propulsion developments and contribute to continuous improvement of products, systems and processes
• Participate/Oversee the propulsion module manufacture and AIT activities
• Manage any anomalies or non-conformances occurring throughout the project life cycle at equipment or subsystem level with support from product engineers and technical experts and present technical status/progress in NCRs with the customer

Expected Behaviours

• Clearly demonstrable technical competence on subsystems / equipment’s
• Can communicate with confidence (both technical and programmatic related matters)
• Team player who can confidently interface at all levels within a project and represent the company externally (with suppliers and customers)
• Pro-active and capable of working on own initiative with high level of integrity
• Delivery mindset - Ability to complete his or her tasks autonomously to cost, schedule and quality
• Proactively seeks to understand the wider TAS organisation thinking beyond own role/technical skill domain
• Has good commercial awareness of his or her specialist equipment

Qualifications, Skills & Experience;

The Following Are Considered Essential For This Role

• Degree level qualification in a discipline associated with Space Engineering (such as engineering) or related subjects (such as physics).
• Desirable: Direct experience in space engineering and the industry, in particular with propulsion.
• Desirable: Experience in the design and development of chemical propulsion thrusters (Mono or bipropellant) and experience working at a system / subsystem level OR experienced in the design and development of Electric propulsion thrusters (Gridded Ion Engines (GIE) or Hall Effect Thrusters (HAT)) and experience working at a system/ subsystem level