Senior Mechanical Engineer

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.

Primary Purpose of the Role

• Carry out general engineering tasks as required by the business.
• With the support of other members of the team, undertake specialised mechanical design activities associated with designing for the subsea environment.
• Proactively seek opportunities to learn from colleagues across Thales.
• Share knowledge and experience with other members of the team.

Principal Relationships

• Reporting to the Mechanical Engineering Group Manager and Hardware Delivery Manager.
• Communicate effectively within the team to share knowledge, learn from colleagues, and support professional development.
• Provide regular updates on progress, risks, and issues to the relevant Work Package or Project Manager for allocated tasks.
• Keep the Team Leader informed of challenges, successes, and emerging issues.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

The role may include, but is not limited to, the following activities:

• Carry out mechanical design activities within a collaborative engineering team environment.
• Work closely with production and procurement teams to develop cost-effective and manufacturable design solutions.
• Support the preparation of detailed estimates and bid submissions.
• Provide engineering support to production activities as required.
• Support trials, testing, and system integration activities as required.

Key Performance Indicators

• Monitor compliance of designs against target cost and lead-time requirements.
• Deliver against agreed commitments relating to Time, Cost, and Quality.
• Maintain design quality and adherence to company processes and standards.

Skills

Essential

• Fundamental understanding of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering principles.
• General understanding of Engineering Development lifecycles.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proactive, can-do attitude.
• Ability to work effectively within a team environment.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work with a reasonable level of autonomy.
• Logical and structured approach to problem-solving.

Desirable

• Knowledge of thermal management techniques.
• Experience using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) tools.
• Ability to perform basic static stress and FEA analysis using Creo Simulate.

Experience

Strong experience in Mechanical Design Engineering, including some of the following:

• Packaging of electronics and associated cabling.
• Designing for platform installation, including ships and submarines.
• Design of assembly and mould tooling.
• Design of lifting equipment.
• Production of key manufacturing drawings from CAD models.
• Production of detailed manufacturing and assembly drawings.
• Supporting the development of design requirements.
• Proficiency in the use of 3D CAD systems.

Desirable

• Proficiency in Creo and PDMLink.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: Design of sonar assemblies and equipment for subsea environments. Design of deployment systems. Design processes involving polyurethane, epoxy, and other resin moulding techniques. Design of composite structures and sonar domes. Specification and design of subsea cable assemblies. Thermal management and CFD analysis. Static stress and FEA analysis using Creo Simulate. Design of 19-inch rack systems and consoles, including shock mounting and thermal management considerations.

Values & Behaviours

• Conduct all work in accordance with company processes and procedures.
• Work efficiently, responsibly, and autonomously where appropriate.
• Demonstrate a collaborative mindset and commitment to continuous improvement.

Financial / Budgetary Responsibility

• Monitor compliance of designs against target costs and delivery lead times.
• Manage personal performance against agreed commitments for Time, Cost, and Quality.

Qualifications

Essential

• HNC, HND, or Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or equivalent professional accreditation.

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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