Head of Discipline – Propulsion Systems

Location: Oxford, 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, high-tech 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 well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s 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.

Job Purpose:

Lead and develop the Propulsion Systems Engineering department by setting strategic direction, driving innovation, and managing resources to deliver high-quality engineering solutions that support the company’s projects, bids, objectives and growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and execute the strategic vision for the propulsion systems engineering team

• Lead recruitment, define and optimise the team structure, and manage training and performance to build a highly effective engineering department

• Headcount including forecasting and ensuring adequate resourcing for projects, bids, and technical studies

• Drive technical innovation and continuous improvement initiatives

• Collaborate with internal departments, suppliers, and customers to ensure alignment and support business development efforts

• Prepare and review project and bid estimates, to support delivery and business growth

• Define and monitor key performance indicators and implement measures to achieve targets

• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements

Required Behaviours:

• Think Big:

  • Demonstrate strategic vision and anticipate future trends and challenges in propulsion systems engineering

  • Challenge the status quo and look for continually develop the teams skills and capabilities

• Make It Happen:

  • Take ownership and accountability for delivering high-quality results on time and within budget

  • Exhibit resilience and decisiveness to overcome obstacles and ensure project success

  • Drive execution with a strong bias for action and continuous improvement

• Together:

  • Foster collaboration across geographically separated teams, partners, and customers

  • Encourage open communication, knowledge sharing, and respect for diverse perspectives

  • Develop and empower team members through mentoring, skills development, and succession planning.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in relevant Engineering discipline e.g. Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or Physics

• Extensive experience in a comparable systems engineering role

• Strong systems engineering expertise with the ability to oversee complex propulsion systems development from concept design and integration to testing and validation

• Proven track record in resource planning, delivery and execution

• Deep understanding of the space environment, requirements and space standards

Key Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving

• Leadership, team and skills development

• Effective communication

• Competitiveness and customer focused mindset

Performance Metrics:

• Engineering delivery on time and within budget

• Effective resourcing of projects, bids, and studies

• Team performance, skills development and succession planning within the team

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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 80,000 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 barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term 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 Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

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