Principal Mechanical Engineer

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

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.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced a Principal Mechanical Engineer who has a proven ability to apply engineering first principles and knowledge to new & existing products within the IAS portfolio. Working as part of a large Mechanical Design team, the principal mechanical engineer collaborates with local teams and multiple stakeholders to produce detailed Mechanical designs and support to a range of Weapon System, Missile and Platform products to satisfy customer requirements.  As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will also be expected to mentor, guide and lead others and act as a role model to junior engineers. As we enter a period of significant growth, we are seeking experienced engineers that have a proven track record and ability to implement excellent mechanical design process principles to projects to ensure project delivery and robust design output.

General Responsibilities

• Leverage engineering fundamentals to make sound decisions on complex technical issues
• Proactively challenge and drive team, self and organisation to deliver improved quality and performance related to engineering design
• Detailed Mechanical Design (supported by a range of CAE applications)
• Maintain product documentation in line with department processes
• Collaborate with multiple stakeholders across business unit, and beyond to ensure robust product designs
• Perform engineering change related tasks, ensuring BOM & process integrity
• Produce engineering technical drawings in line with BS 8888 guidelines
• Mentor, guide and lead others
• Lead & Participate in Design Reviews
• Lead Mechanical Work Packages and interface with other key business stakeholders to deliver Mechanical Design projects

Essential Criteria

• Degree (or similar) in engineering related discipline, preferably Mechanical Engineering
• 10+ Experience in a Mechanical Design Role
• Experience in internal/external customer and supplier interactions and proven stakeholder management qualities
• Experience & proficient in CAD software and its use in Mechanical design (Particularly Creo and/or Catia)

• Experience in producing Engineering Drawings & application of GD&T and knowledge of BS8888
• Experience in PLM software such as Windchill
• Experience in Design for Manufacture principles and application to designs
• Experience in BOM creation and Engineering Change processes (with consideration given to implications of changes managing through the process)
• Experience in using international standards as part of product design process
• Proficient in use of Microsoft office applications
• Experience in leading a project and/or product team to deliver against milestones
• Excellent Communication & collaboration skills
• Knowledge of Environmental testing methods and how they integrate into robust product design
• Experience in solving complex problems and decision-making skills
• Experience on working on several projects simultaneously   

Desirable Criteria

• 2+ years’ experience of leading teams/projects
• Experience of Six Sigma / Continuous improvement projects 
• Experience in APQP/DFMEA techniques and their integration in the design process 
• Experience in leading a DFMAT assessments / evaluations & implementation of principles in design
• Experience in using CAM software to influence design
• Experience in using simulation software to help assist design (Ansys, Creo Simulate, SolidWorks Simulate) etc.
• Experience with other CAE tools
• Knowledge of Defence Standards
• Experience of mentoring and coaching others

CANDIDATES THAT WOULD IMPRESS US

PROFILE:

• You graduated with a Master of Engineering, Computer Science or any other relevant field in University
• You have significant experience in hardware development and more specifically in mechanical engineering
• You want to focus in the mechanical field, implement it in a solution, and capture associated trends and concerns
• You are a true team-player and love to work within a multidisciplinary environment
• You are clear about the organisation goals and the strategies you are working for, demonstrating an actual customer-oriented mind set
• You are very rigorous and analytical, logically examining the steps taken and the outcome to make corrections and produce better results

Life as a Thales Mechanical Engineering Role

As a Mechanical Engineering Role within Thales, you will:

• Perform a subset of all the hardware engineering activities applicable to Mechanical Engineering
• Analyse the mechanical needs whatever the used means (e.g. advanced studies, simulations, mock-ups, models, prototypes)
• Describe the mechanical functions, requirements and development plan
• Elaborate the data package to be transferred to production
• Work collaboratively with production and procurement to produce cost effective, easy to manufacture mechanical design solutions
• Monitor, plan and organise mechanical activities to measure and report on the technical progress
• Propose and justify technical, technological and methodological choices in accordance with the approved mechanical architecture and design
• Monitor compliance of designs against target costs and lead time

Your Career At Thales

Future opportunities will allow you to discover other domains or sites. You will be able to evolve and grow your competencies in different areas:

• Room and attention to personal development
• Build your talents in another domain of Thales Group, discovering new products, new customers, new country or go to a more complex Solution
• Choose between a technical expertise or a leadership path
• Build an international career within a leading Engineering Group

#LI-CA1

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.

Great journeys start here, apply now!