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Industrial Process Engineer – Thales Group (Glasgow, UK)
Job Overview
Thales Group is seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Industrial Process Engineer to join their Optronics and Missile Electronics (OME) manufacturing unit in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
In this role, you will lead industrialization activities and support end-to-end production operations. Reporting directly to the Manufacturing Engineering Management team, you will bridge the gap between engineering concept design, factory floor execution, and product servicing.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRL), Production Readiness Reviews (PRR), First Article Inspections (FAI), Design for Excellence (DFx), and tooling/test equipment integration.
- Analyzing engineering specifications to define, review, and approve full manufacturing execution files, standard operating procedures, and assembly test flows.
- Generating direct and indirect cost/schedule estimates for commercial bids while monitoring unit production costs.
- Implementing Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives using Lean methodologies alongside Autonomous Production Unit (APRU) managers to hit key operational performance targets.
- Resolving non-conformances, managing engineering change notes (ECNs), and supporting root-cause analysis on the assembly line.
About Us
Thales Group is a global technology leader operating across the Aerospace, Defence, Security, Space, and Digital Identity sectors. Employing over 80,000 people across 68 countries, Thales UK designs and delivers critical technology that keeps infrastructure secure and nations safe. The Glasgow site specializes in advanced optical and missile electronics systems for defence applications.
Website Link: https://www.thalesgroup.com/en
Key Requirements & Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering.
- Core Experience: Practical experience in manufacturing engineering processes within high-precision, regulated, or high-tech industries (e.g., defence, aerospace, electronics).
- Technical Tools: Proficiency in enterprise software tools such as Oracle ERP, Mestec (MES), Palma, and standard Microsoft Office suites (Excel, PowerPoint).
- Soft Skills: Strong stakeholder management, clear cross-functional communication, adaptability, and high resilience under schedule deadlines.
- Security Vetting: Must satisfy UK Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks (including identity verification and a 3-year history review). Role eligibility may require full Security Clearance (SC) clearance via Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV).
Role Benefits & Perks
- Flexible & Hybrid Working: Support for flexible hours, flexi-time start/finish, job sharing, and hybrid working options aligned with operational requirements.
- Internal Career Mobility: Access to structured international and domestic career development opportunities across 68 countries.
- Professional Development: Dedicated mentorship, coaching, and comprehensive training frameworks.
- Inclusive Workplace Support: Fully accessible recruitment process with tailored reasonable adjustments for neurodiverse candidates or applicants with disabilities.
Salary Insight
- Estimated Base Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Industrial Process Engineers in defence and aerospace across Scotland, base compensation typically ranges between £38,000 and £52,000 annually, depending on candidate experience, security clearance tier, and specialized technical skill sets.
Career Guide Tips for Process Engineers in Defence
- Master DFx Frameworks: Deepen your knowledge in Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Testability (DFT) to contribute effectively during early design phase reviews.
- Quantify Lean Impact: Familiarize yourself with practical Lean tools (5S, Value Stream Mapping, DMAIC, Kaizen) and learn to frame engineering changes in terms of yield improvements or lead-time reductions.
- Understand Standards & Vetting: Build a foundational understanding of defence manufacturing standards (ISO 9001, AS9100) and keep personal documentation ready for UK security vetting protocols.
How to Prepare a CV for This Position
- Highlight the Product Lifecycle: Explicitly state your experience across different stages of product development—from concept and NPI to full-rate production and servicing/repair.
- Feature Industry Tools & Methodologies: Call out expertise with systems like Oracle ERP, MES, MRL/PRR reviews, and First Article Inspections (FAI).
- Demonstrate Cross-Functional Impact: Detail how you have collaborated with shop floor technicians, quality managers, and design teams to resolve non-conformances.
How to Prepare for the Interview
- Review OME & High-Precision Systems: Research Thales’ Optronics and Missile Electronics portfolio to understand the complexity and quality rigor required for optical and defence hardware.
- Structure Your Examples with STAR: Frame your answers using Situation, Task, Action, and Result, specifically focusing on quantifiable outcomes (e.g., reduced cycle time by X%, eliminated scrap rate by Y%).
- Prepare for Behavioral & Technical Mix: Be ready to discuss technical troubleshooting (how you solved a specific manufacturing non-conformance) alongside softer skills like stakeholder communication under tight deadlines.
Top 3 Interview Questions & How to Answer Them
1. “Can you walk us through a time you introduced an Engineering Change (ECN) into active production without disrupting output?”
- Key Focus: Explain your approach to risk assessment, clear documentation updates, communication with shop-floor technicians, and monitoring initial units to verify successful rollout.
2. “How do you identify bottlenecks on an assembly line, and what Lean tools would you use to address them?”
- Key Focus: Walk through your analytical approach—from analyzing takt time vs. cycle time data to using Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and leading a targeted Kaizen event.
3. “How do you balance cost and schedule pressures against strict defence quality standards during New Product Introduction (NPI)?”
- Key Focus: Emphasize that quality and compliance (such as AS9100 and security standards) are non-negotiable, while highlighting how early DFM/DFT intervention prevents costly rework downstream.
How to Apply
To apply, submit your application directly through the official Thales Group Careers Portal or verified partner job platforms listing the Glasgow OME opportunity. Ensure your CV clearly outlines your educational qualifications, relevant tool proficiency, and eligibility to work in the UK. If you require reasonable adjustments during the interview process, contact Thales’ Resourcing Operations team via their application portal.
Disclaimer
This summary is an independent analysis created for informational and career development purposes only. It is not an official job offering from Thales Group or its subsidiaries. Specific details, salary figures, security requirements, and job duties remain subject to change by the employer.