User Experience

Join to apply for the User Experience (UX) Manager for Commercial Space Infrastructures role at Thales 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. We serve governments, institutions, space agencies and telecommunications operators, providing solutions to Space to Connect, Secure & Protect, Observe & Protect, Explore, Travel & Navigate . We are looking for a User Experience (UX) Manager for Commercial Space Infrastructures. Thales Alenia Space designs space infrastructures that enable experimentation, R&D, science and manufacturing in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). These activities are referred to as “Utilization”. Expected customers and users are non‑traditional, non‑space entities – companies, institutions and academia interested in launching payloads and carrying out experiments in LEO. The UX Manager for Space Infrastructures Utilization is the “translator” between the customers/users world and the TAS / infrastructure world. The UX Manager is responsible for one or more customer/user segments (pharma, biotech, chemical, agrifood, etc.). The UX Manager scouts, familiarizes, onboard and manages new prospective customers/users in the assigned segment(s). Key Responsibilities Keep an up‑to‑date overview of market size and market trends. Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in both the user and space infrastructure domains. Identify user personas and user journeys. Ideate and propose to management a set of UX performance metrics or KPIs to measure the effectiveness of customer/user engagement and identify areas for continuous improvement; maintain and report regularly said metrics to monitor and analyze work impact. Actively scout and be the first point of contact for new prospective customers/users, creating and maintaining a database of interested parties. Educate and familiarize prospective customers/users on the possibilities and benefits of space and micro‑gravity experimentation. Gather market and customer demand signals, describe the desired user experience in technical terms and quantities that are understandable and actionable by the engineering team designing the space infrastructure. Illustrate the capabilities / performance of the space infrastructure in technical terms and quantities that are understandable and meaningful to the customer/user. Engage and onboard users/customers who decide to fly on TAS Space Infrastructure. Assist the user/customer during the payload definition; if the payload development is assigned to TAS, translate user needs and desiderata into technical requirements, negotiate and freeze the technical specification that becomes part of the Statement of Work and contract. Work with TAS Project and Contracts departments to support the establishment of a utilization contract. Assist the user/customer during the payload development cycle; if the payload development is assigned to TAS, act as Technical Interface between the customer/user team and the TAS technical team developing the payload, during the certification, flight and operations phase. Follow‑up with users/customers to gather feedback, analyze it and provide it to relevant TAS stakeholders for information and action. Identify need or interest for follow‑up missions and further engagement. Maintain engagement and be the point of contact for the user/customer for future communications. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a STEM discipline pertinent to the assigned segment (e.g. Pharmaceutics, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Material Sciences, Agritech) or in Aerospace Engineering. Familiarity with the space field, especially with existing and future projects and products for in‑space experimentation / utilization. Familiarity with the unique challenges of designing for zero‑gravity or low‑gravity environments. Excellent command of the English language. Proficiency with MS Office products. Preferred Qualifications Prior experience with or knowledge of UX design principles. Proven experience (typically one or more years) in bridging across scientific and technical / engineering communities. Proven experience (typically one or more years) in ISS utilization. Solid understanding of user research methodologies, R&D processes and data analysis. Familiarity with and understanding of the regulatory framework affecting R&D in the assigned segment. Behavioral Competencies Empathy for users and a passion for creating exceptional user experiences. Strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail. Collaborative and open‑minded with a willingness to learn and adapt. Ability to balance multiple projects and priorities in a fast‑paced environment. Leadership Skills The UX Manager is an individual contributor who interacts and collaborates daily with engineers, scientists, astronauts and other stakeholders to ensure that space infrastructure systems and payloads/experiments work well together and meet the intended goals of customers/users. The UX Manager has excellent transversal management competencies to foster a collaborative and innovative work environment, representing the voice of the user/customer within TAS and mentoring/coaching non‑experienced users/customers. Collaboration and Communication Translate scientific objectives and performances into engineering requirements and performances; work closely with engineers, scientists, product managers, astronauts and other stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of customer/user payloads, experiments or facilities into space infrastructure. Advocate for user‑centered design principles and be the voice of the user/customer within TAS. Influence and articulate concepts and decisions to stakeholders. At Thales Alenia Space we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales Alenia Space employing around 8,900 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US, our mobility policy enables employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. Great journeys start here – apply now #J-18808-Ljbffr