Electronics & AIT Technician in Reading

At NewOrbit Space, our mission is to engineer the lowest orbiting satellites on Earth to rapidly advance global connectivity and insight. We are currently building satellites that can operate at an altitude of just 200 km - one-third that of conventional satellites.

Your Role

You will be a hands-on technician supporting the build, integration and test of electronic boards, harnesses and mechanical test setups for the AURA gridded-ion thruster. You will work across the full hardware lifecycle, from assembling and inspecting flight-quality electronics and harnesses, through building up bench and mechanical test rigs, to supporting Assembly, Integration and Test campaigns on the thruster and its control electronics. You will report into the AIT team and work alongside the electronics, control, software and satellite teams, taking direction from engineers while owning the quality and traceability of the hardware you build and test.

Key Responsibilities

• Assemble, rework and inspect electronic boards to IPC-A-610 Class 3 standards.
• Build and terminate wiring harnesses and cable assemblies to IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards.
• Crimp, solder and lace harnesses; install back-shells, connector savers and EMC / HV protective measures.
• Build up mechanical and electrical test setups, including fixtures, jigs and bench instrumentation.
• Support AIT activities on the thruster and its electronics, including functional testing, environmental test support (thermal vacuum, vibration) and continuity / insulation checks.
• Read and work from schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings and assembly procedures.
• Maintain as-built records, test logs, travellers and non-conformance reports to support traceability of flight hardware.
• Operate and maintain lab equipment — oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, electronic loads and DAQ systems.
• Support functional, performance and environmental testing of the thruster, its power processing and control electronics, the propellant feed system, and the spacecraft-level integration.

Fundamental Requirements

• IPC-A-610 Class 3 certification (or equivalent demonstrated experience to Class 3 standards).
• IPC/WHMA-A-620 harness and cable assembly certification.
• Proven hands-on experience assembling, reworking and inspecting electronic boards and harnesses.
• Experience building up mechanical and electrical test setups from drawings and procedures.
• Experience supporting AIT or equivalent integration and test activities on electronic hardware.
• Confident use of standard lab instrumentation (oscilloscope, multimeter, power supply, electronic load, DAQ).
• ESD-aware working practices (ANSI/ESD S20.20 or equivalent).
• Ability to read and interpret schematics, wiring diagrams and mechanical drawings.
• Strong attention to detail and discipline in documentation and traceability.

Nice-to-haves

• J-STD-001 soldering certification (Space Addendum desirable).
• Experience working in a cleanroom or ISO-classified environment.
• Space or other high-reliability industry experience (aerospace, defence, medical).
• Familiarity with ECSS standards, particularly ECSS-Q-ST-70 (workmanship).
• Experience working with high-voltage and/or power electronics hardware.
• Basic CAD literacy (SolidWorks, NX or CATIA) for interpreting models and marking up drawings.

Why NewOrbit Space?

• Pioneering Space Technology – You'll contribute to launching groundbreaking technology into space. Your work on our revolutionary ion propulsion system and ULEO satellite platform will redefine satellite operations and disrupt traditional LEO operations.
• Unmatched Ownership and Impact – You'll experience a level of ownership that's rare in the space industry. You will participate in the full lifecycle of satellite technology.
• Equity and Competitive Salary – You'll receive not just a competitive salary but also company ownership stakes. Your dedication and hard work are rewarded with a share in the technology you help build, ensuring you're a part of our collective success.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package – Including private health insurance with dental and optical coverage, annual healthcare check-ups etc.
• Hybrid Work - A hybrid setup with one dedicated remote day per week.
• Visa Sponsorship & Relocation Support - We provide a relocation package and sponsor your visa if you’re joining us from abroad.