Propulsion Systems Engineer

Our client, Thales Alenia Space (TASUK) is the Satellite Propulsion Competence Centre of Excellence for the entirety of Thales Alenia Space worldwide. Working on both electric and chemical propulsion TASUK is a primary satellite propulsion subsystem provider and integrator, working with suppliers of propulsion equipment’s, such as tank and thrusters, to develop propulsion subsystems for all areas of industry and science.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

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

• Propulsion subsystem and propulsion equipment activities (EP and/or CP) for recurring satellite product line application programmes or developments, in all phases (A/B/C/D/E)
• Be a technical point of contact responsible and lead for the propulsion subsystem, in both MAIT and Architecture, customer technical teams, PMO, AIT team, procurement and other subsystem experts, (such as Mech/Thermal, AOCS)
• Be the interface between engineering and manufacturing teams during and in preparation for subsystem manufacturing, assembly integration and sub system test.
• Interpret mission/customer specific and generic system level requirements and establishing the baseline technical requirements document (TRD) for the satellite 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)
• Provide technical input to future propulsion developments and contribute to continuous improvement of products, systems and processes
• 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

KEY SKILLS / PROVEN ABILITY

The following are considered essential for this role:

• Experience working at a satellite propulsion system / subsystem level
• Proven ability with propulsion systems in the space engineering industry.

Highly desirable:

• Design and development of Electric propulsion thrusters (Gridded Ion Engines (GIE) or Hall Effect Thrusters (HAT)) or Design and development of chemical propulsion thrusters (Mono or bipropellant)