Propulsion Test Lead and Test Authority

Location: Belfast United Kingdom

A Joint Venture between Thales 67 and Leonardo 33 Thales Alenia Space is a global space manufacturer delivering for more than 40 years hightech solutions for telecommunications navigation Earth Observation environmental management exploration science and orbital infrastructures. Thanks to our diversity of skills talents and cultures our customers (governments institutions space agencies telecommunications operators) therefore have Space to Connect Secure & Defend Observe & Protect Explore Travel & Navigate.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK we research develop and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace Defence Security and Space. Your health and wellbeing matters to us and thats why we offer you the flexibility to do whats important to you; whether thats part time hours job sharing home working or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Due to the growth of our propulsion centre of excellence based at our Belfast and Harwell sites we need to make a number of new hires in to this team. Drawing on your background in testing of fluidic systems and highpressure systems in manufacturing test and propulsion this is an excellent time to be joining this team. If you have extensive experience in fluidic and highpressure systems and are looking for a new industry/challenge this role could be for you. The position will be based at the TAS UK Belfast UK Facility.

Primary Purpose of the Role:

Reporting to the Head of Propulsion Engineering the candidate will perform but it not limited to the following type of activities:

• Be the overall testing authority for gas and liquid satellite propulsion subsystems in TASUK covering all matters relating to fluidic testing.

• Supporting all other engineers in guidance review and sign off. Establishing ways of working and associated processes and procedures.

• Establishing in testing ways of working safety approaches plans process and general produces for the test team.

• Be the approver of new process and procedures relating to testing ensuring all needs for space are met as well as safety manufacturing and cost.

• Training of team members in process producers ways of working while not forgetting succession planning and removal of single point failures.

• Working all phases of space lifecycle (electric and chemical) Phases A/B/C/D/E with focus on C and D.

• Provide technical support to subsystem leads for propulsion tradeoffs for optimization of the satellite and mission design and MAIT approach especially around testing. Including document review and sign off for major project milestones.

• Performance analyses/support of test data in support of nonconformance review board.

• Be an authority in the management of anomalies or nonconformances 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

• Demonstrates systems engineering knowledge across the Systems V to achieve critical project outcomes to time cost and quality.

• Clear enforcement and adherence to requirement management traceability IVVQ and model philosophy (BBM EM PFM) etc.

• Provide regular reporting of technical progress to the project team and TAS management.

• Provide technical input to future propulsion developments and contribute to continuous improvement of products systems and processes

• Support the definition and acquisition of testing equipment and related items. Must be able to advise on how to define needs in specifications for such acquisitions.

• Participate/Oversee the propulsion module manufacture and AIT activities if needed.

• Line management is not foreseen but matrix team management will be expected.

Expected Behaviours

• Clearly demonstrable technical competence and mastery in related field.

• Has a leadership mentality and a get it done approach.

• Work crossdomain not being limited in focus to own department.

• Can communicate technically with confidence

• Team player who can confidently interface at all levels within a project and represent the company externally (with suppliers and customers)

• Proactive and capable of working on own initiative with high level of integrity

• Proactively seeks to understand the wider TAS organisation thinking beyond own role/technical skill domain

• Has good commercial awareness of manufacturing and delivery.

• Ability to complete his or her tasks autonomously to cost schedule and quality

• Willing to learn and embody the very demanding approach of the space industry

Qualifications Skills & Experience;

The following are considered essential for this role:

• Experience in fluidic system and/or high pressure systems.

  • Practical experience of testing with pressures up to the order of 300500bar

  • Helium Leak testing via various methods (sniff accumulation pressure decay)

  • Pipe work connections

  • Material specifications

  • Gas/media compatibility

  • Flow control and pressure control

  • Cleanliness control for precision fluidic systems

  • Understanding safety and hazards of high pressure liquids and gases

  • Leading groups / being a experienced figure in such endeavours

• Experience in testing in general

  • Directing planning executing and reporting on test activities

  • Defining test plans and procedures and following company internal processes

  • Following test nonconformances or anomalies in accordance with company quality management processes

  • Continuous improvement approach (PDCA lean QRQC) for challenging and deploying a more efficient way of working.

• Degree level qualification in a discipline associated with Space Engineering (such as engineering) or related subjects (such as physics) or significant/substantial experience in related field linked to role.

The following are considered desirable for this role:

• Desirable: experience and understanding of related manufacturing techniques (xray orbital welding etc)

• Desirable: Direct experience in space engineering and the industry in particular with propulsion manufacture and test. Space industry experience is not a requirement but is significantly beneficial.

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In line with Thales Baseline Security requirements candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrierfree recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neurodiverse applicants or those with a disability or longterm condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles or the Early Careers Teamfor graduate and apprentice roles.

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