Technical Specialist- Safe & Arm Units/Proximity Fuzing Systems

Job description

Location: Reading, 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 five major industries; Aerospace, Defence, Ground Transportation, 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.

Technical Specialist- Safe & Arm Units/Proximity Fuzing Systems

Location: Reading, Green Park

Hybrid Working (Minimum 3 days at office)

Are you an experienced Fuze design engineer keen to build your expertise, aspiring towards recognition at Expert level? Would you like to work in an established product area within a positive, supportive multidiscipline research and development team working on next generation products?

What this role has to offer:

As a Domain Technical specialist in Electronic Safe & Arm Units and/or Proximity Fuzing systems, you will report directly to the Technical Director of Thales Missile Electronics Fuzing products. This is a great opportunity to grow your specialist skills further towards expert level, or if you aspire to be a senior technical leader or design authority in future.

Our opportunity:

Thales Missile Electronics Ltd, specializes in the manufacturing of missile electronic systems and sub-systems, including missile proximity fuzing, anti-armour weapon systems, seekers and inertial guidance systems, telemetry and secure missile data links, millimetre-wave battlefield sensors etc. You will be working with a team who are researching/designing and developing next generation products at component level.

This role is primarily based on-site at Green Park, Reading There may be occasional domestic travel required to other Thales sites, partners or customers. Due to the needs of the role, this role is predominantly based on site, however, Thales has a hybrid-working model that enables home working when this is suitable for the activities being conducted.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead and support the specification, architecture definition, research and development of next generation Fuzing products
• Support the definition of next generation Fuzing technical strategy and the preparation of research bids and estimates to secure external funding
• Liaise with and direct as appropriate the relevant internal and external engineering functions to coordinate delivery of assigned fuzing research activities
• Act as the Product Design Authority for assigned Fuzing research or development projects

About You:

• Experience in the specification, design and development of Electronic Safe & Arm Fuzing Systems for guided weapons, required to operate in harsh environments
• Experience in the specification, design and development of lidar/radar Proximity Sensors for Fuzing applications in guided weapons, required to operate in harsh environments
• Experience in both Safe & Arm Units and Proximity Fuzing Sensors is desirable but not essential if the candidate has sound knowledge in one of the two areas
• Knowledge of the relevant Fuzing standards and their application to the design and architecture of Fuzing Systems
• Degree qualified or equivalent in either Electronics or in Physics
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Compiling quality presentation material and presenting clearly to customers and at conferences

Desirable, though not essential:

• Experience in the detailed design of electronic safety logic circuitry and high voltage charging and firing circuits
• Experience / familiarity with the use of programmable logic devices in safety systems
• Awareness of EMC requirements and related design practices to achieve compliance
• Experience in the specification, design and development of Proximity Fuzing Sensors for guided weapons, employing miniature lidar and/or radar technologies
• Appreciation of design for test and manufacturing processes
• Knowledge of STANAG 4187 is desirable

Security Clearance statement

This role requires SC level security clearance at UK eyes only (Either current or ability to gain full clearance is essential) . For more information and guidance, please visit the UKSV website.

What We Can Offer

We're committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you'll have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.

Benefits at Thales

Alongside a competitive base salary, we offer a variable compensation plan bonus and benefits package, which includes;

• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00pm
• Pension Scheme
• 28 days annual leave (Plus Bank Holidays)
• Life Cover and private health cover
• Progression and Development Opportunities
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Development focused targets and relocation support can be provided if required along with a variety of learning, development and career enhancement opportunities.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

#LI-RS1

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!