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Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
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. 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. 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.
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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.
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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
At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include 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.
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.
If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.
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