Mechanical Analysis Engineer

Mechanical Analyst

Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space is a global space manufacturer delivering, for more than 40 years, high-tech solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth Observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Thanks to our diversity of skills, talents and cultures, our customers (governments, institutions, space agencies, telecommunications operators) have space to connect, secure & defend, observe & protect, explore, travel & navigate. 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.

As a Mechanical Analyst, you will be responsible for the mechanical and structural justification of the propulsion sub-systems and equipment, as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Part of your tasks will entail:

• Lead the structural analysis and verification activities through the different project life cycle milestones & reviews (PDR, CDR, QR etc).
• For projects at phase A/B, he/she will bring mechanical support for the architecture trade off,
• Phase C/D activities will include qualification test planning, set up, execution and results assessment.
• Demonstrates design engineering knowledge to achieve critical project outcomes to time, cost and quality.

Key Responsibilities and tasks:

• Perform structural and mechanical analysis, including finite element analysis (FEA), stress analysis, thermoelastic analysis, modal and vibration analysis on space hardware.
• Evaluate mechanical designs to ensure compliance with space environment constraints such as assembly loads and launch loads.
• Support testing activities by providing analytical insights and correlating test data with simulation results.
• Analyse data from testing (vibration, shock, acoustic) and support test planning and execution.
• Collaborate with design engineers, mechanical and thermal engineers, and system engineers to identify potential mechanical issues and recommend design improvements.
• Develop and validate analytical models and simulations using finite element modelling tools.
• Review and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and requirements.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, analysis summaries, and documentation for internal review and external stakeholders.
• Support failure investigations and root cause analysis for mechanical anomalies.
• Ensure all analysis complies with aerospace industry standards and company quality procedures.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the role will be specifically developed with the role holder, however these will cover:

• Delivery of design solution and associated documentation within the constraints of project schedules and resources.
• Meeting project milestones.
• Quality of documentation.

Experience and Skills:

• Basic knowledge of structural analysis using Nastran, Patran or another FEA code. Production of FEMs, including defeaturing, meshing and checking.
• Setting up, running and assessing static structural, dynamic and thermoelastic analyses.
• Experience with producing relevant documents and justification reports.

The following would be an asset:

• Experience with presenting at reviews.
• Experience of working in a multi-discipline team environment.
• Familiarity with aerospace standards such as NASA, ESA, MIL-STD, ECSS.
• Experience dealing with customers, partners, suppliers' interface,
• Experience in the Space domain

Education & Qualifications:

• Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering or other relevant discipline.

The following would be an asset:

• A Master's or higher degree.
• Membership of a professional Institution.