Propulsion Systems Engineer

Propulsion Systems Engineer Skip to main content#Propulsion Systems Engineer page is loaded## Propulsion Systems Engineer Apply remote type:
On-Site locations:
Oxford time type:
Full time posted on:
Posted Todaytime left to apply:
End Date:
August 28, 2026 (29 days left to apply) job requisition :
R0330109

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.

Due to the growth of our
** Propulsion Centre of Excellence
** at our Harwell site, we’re making new hires into our propulsion systems team. This is an excellent time to join if you have
** space propulsion experience (chemical or electrical)
** and want to take real technical ownership on satellite programmes.

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:

** Reporting to the
** Head of Discipline - Propulsion Systems**, you’ll act as the
** technical lead for the propulsion subsystem
** on recurring TAS satellite product lines and new developments. You’ll cover the full project lifecycle (Phase A–E), from early trade studies through to in‐orbit support.
** Key activities include:
*** Leading
** work packages and studies
** to ensure engineering delivery on time, to cost and quality.
* Providing regular
** technical progress reporting
** to the project team and TAS management.
* Owning propulsion subsystem and equipment activities (EP and/or CP) across Phase A/B/C/D/E for satellite programmes.
* Acting as the
** primary technical point of contact
** for propulsion in both MAIT and Architecture, interfacing with:  + Customers  + PMO  + AIT teams  + Procurement & suppliers  + Other subsystem experts (Mech/Thermal, AOCS, etc.)
* Interpreting mission and system-level requirements and establishing the
** baseline Technical Requirements Document (TRD)
** for the propulsion subsystem.
* Supporting and running
** system-level propulsion trade-offs
** to optimise satellite and mission design.
* Preparing and presenting
** subsystem design justification
** at major reviews (PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, QR, etc.).
* Reviewing and consolidating technical documentation through project milestones (EQSR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, QR, etc.).
* Establishing
** integration and test plans
** and requirements for the propulsion subsystem.
* Developing and improving analysis tools in specialised fluidic software (e.g.
** Ecosim Pro**) and in
** Excel, MATLAB, and Python**.
* Supporting
** non-conformance review boards
** and preparing/updating subsystem analysis reports at key milestones.
* Participating in/overseeing propulsion module
** manufacture and AIT activities**.
* Managing anomalies/non-conformances at equipment or subsystem level and presenting technical status in NCRs with the customer.
* Providing technical input to
** future propulsion developments
** and continuous improvement of products, systems and processes.

You’ll demonstrate
** systems engineering knowledge
** across the “Systems V” to achieve critical project outcomes, and apply strong
** requirement management
** skills (traceability, IVVQ, etc.).
** Expected behaviours:
*** Clearly demonstrable
** technical competence
** on subsystems/equipment.
* Able to
** communicate technically with confidence
** to engineers, project managers and customers.
* A
** team player
** who can interface at all levels within a project and represent TAS…