Our opportunity
It is an exciting time for us as we look to grow and build the capability of our Signatures & Array Design team; we are looking to recruit a Theoretical Acoustician to join our team at Cheadle Heath. This is an opportunity to join an agile and dynamic team at the forefront of UK maritime data exploitation and processing. The team deliver low TRL and study activities to external and internal customers and are central to the development and procurement of concepts, capabilities and solutions to anticipate and address the most challenging customer requirements.
Working within a diverse team of specialists and experts your role will be to generate and design concepts and solutions which optimise and assess underwater platforms acoustic and hydrodynamic performance as we look to develop the next generation of Sonar Arrays and Maritime Stealth Capabilities. This role will include travel both within the UK and overseas and require the candidate to have a UK driving license and be happy to work at sea for periods of up to two weeks. You will be committed to transfer knowledge and develop skills to enable us to sustain and grow as a business in these critical capabilities.
What can we offer you?
On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes:
- Performance related bonus
- Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00pm
- Pension Scheme
- 28 days annual leave (Plus Bank Holidays)
- Life Cover
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
- Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
- Gym membership discounts
- 24 hours paid volunteering
- Private healthcare (grade dependent)
Key Responsibilities and Tasks
- Provide specialist acoustic FEA/SEA modelling to facilitate pre-test analysis and support to Underwater Radiated Noise, Target Echo Strength and Sonar Performance analysis tasks, initially based in the VaOne Vibroacoustic modelling framework but developing skills and knowledge to create models within PAFEC. Expertise in finite/boundary element analysis would be beneficial.
- To contribute to Thales UKs Signatures and Array Design roadmaps through the assessment and development of Thales, Academic and COTS toolsets of use maritime acoustic problems. Identify strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for enhancing our Capability.
- Verbal and Written technical reporting will form a significant part of the role, requiring complex concepts to be captured in a format that is accessible to the business and provide traceability for the analysis activities conducted.
- To analyse, predict and measure the acoustic and hydrodynamic performances of acoustic arrays and other outboard equipment. Generate and design theory, concepts and solutions which optimise and assess the equipment’s acoustic and hydrodynamic performance.
- To analyse, predict and measure the acoustic and hydrodynamic performances of maritime platforms. Generate and design theory, concepts and solutions which optimise and assess the platforms acoustic and hydrodynamic performance.
- To conduct the research, design and development of the underwater sensing technologies, tools, products and services of the future.
- Provide scientific and technical advice as requested and make recommendations to management on technical matters to assist in the planning and decision making processes.
- To conduct research, internally and externally with academia, on novel and low maturity theory, techniques, modelling approaches, sensing technologies and materials.
- Actively engage in continuous personal development, working with your team leader to build a fulfilling career development path
Skills and Experience
We are looking for a motivated and forward thinking individual with the following skills, experience & behaviours:
- Ideally qualified to PhD in Mathematical or relevant scientific, computing with relevant skills and experience. Minimum requirement of MSc, MMath or postgraduate level in Physics or Mathematics.
- A high level competency in mathematics is essential.
- Ability to liaise with technical and nontechnical staff at all levels, providing clear and constructive communications to build relationships and promote effective team working.
- Innovative thinking. Not afraid to question the norm, think outside the box and challenge the exam question.
- It is expected that the candidate will embrace the core competencies and leadership qualities that will enable him or her to progress towards recognition as a Thales Specialist within the underwater Domain.
Applications are encouraged from all backgrounds including non-defence and non-maritime professionals.
Experience or knowledge of the below packages is advantageous:
- Matlab
- VAOne
- Python
- PAFEC
- Comsol
Security Clearance Statement
- Looking for sole UK National with the potential to achieve DV Status. Sole UK National is essential given SALs in certain high priority programmes.
- Education: Bachelors/Masters & PHD background with strong in Maths/Physics.
- Not looking for Engineering Graduates