Lead Satellite AIT Engineer 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 the senior AIT authority on the AURA X programme, responsible for planning, developing, and executing the Assembly, Integration and Test campaign for the AURA X gridded-ion thruster and its satellite integration. You will own the AIT flow from engineering model through to flight model acceptance, defining procedures, managing GSE, and leading test campaigns across electrical, mechanical, and system-level activities. In addition to AIT, you will own the programme Quality Management System and Goods In function. As a lean team scaling towards flight, these responsibilities sit naturally within AIT - you will establish and maintain quality processes, define incoming inspection criteria, and be prepared to get hands-on with goods in when needed. You will report into the Programme Director and work across all engineering teams, setting and enforcing quality and AIT standards across the programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and own the programme AIT flow, master AIT schedule, and test philosophy from EM through FM acceptance.
• Write, review, and approve all assembly procedures, test procedures, and integration sequences.
• Define cleanroom requirements, contamination control procedures, and ESD/handling standards for the programme.
• Identify, specify, and procure Ground Support Equipment (GSE), test fixtures, and specialist tooling.
• Plan and lead AIT campaigns on engineering and flight models, including functional testing, environmental test campaigns (thermal vacuum, vibration, EMC), and electrical functional verification.
• Manage non-conformance reports (NCRs) and lead dispositions in collaboration with the design team.
• Interface with external test facilities and manage test readiness reviews, test witness, and data acceptance.
• Interface with the satellite bus integrator to define and manage satellite-level integration requirements and ICD activities.
• Own as-built records, travellers, test logs, and acceptance data packs to support full hardware traceability.
• Mentor AIT technicians and engineers; build and maintain AIT process documentation and standards.
• Own and maintain the programme Quality Management System - establishing quality processes, workmanship standards, and a non-conformance management framework appropriate to a scaling flight hardware programme.
• Define goods in inspection criteria and procedures; oversee incoming inspection of purchased parts, materials, and components against purchase orders, drawings, and certificates of conformance.
• Manage quarantine and disposition of non-conforming goods received from suppliers.
• Maintain calibration records for all programme tooling and test equipment.
• Own the programme parts inventory system - maintaining stock records for consumables, fasteners, materials, and critical components, setting minimum stock levels, and ensuring parts availability is confirmed ahead of every AIT campaign.
• Raise procurement needs early based on upcoming campaign schedules, working with the wider team to avoid work stoppages caused by missing or late parts.

Fundamental Requirements

• Significant experience (5+ years) in AIT roles on spacecraft, satellite, or high-reliability programmes.
• Demonstrated experience delivering flight hardware through full environmental test campaigns (TVac, vibration, EMC).
• Thorough working knowledge of ECSS AIT and quality standards, particularly ECSS-E-ST-10-03 and ECSS-Q-ST-70.
• Experience authoring and approving test and assembly procedures to flight standards.
• Experience owning or contributing to a Quality Management System on a hardware programme.
• Experience managing non-conformances, engineering dispositions, and supplier quality issues.
• Experience with satellite-level electrical and mechanical integration.
• Knowledge of contamination control and cleanroom operations.
• Experience defining GSE requirements and overseeing procurement or in-house build.
• Able to communicate effectively across design, test, and management teams.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience on small satellite programmes or commercial space startups.
• Familiarity with electric propulsion system integration.
• Experience as principal or chief AIT engineer with full programme ownership.
• Experience interfacing with launch authority and range safety.
• ISO 9001 or AS9100 internal auditor qualification.

Personality

• Process-disciplined and exacting about standards, while pragmatic in a fast-moving development environment.
• Natural authority - able to set and hold standards without being rigid or hierarchical.
• Comfortable translating between design-engineer and hands-on-technician ways of thinking.
• Calm under schedule pressure and experienced at making good decisions when hardware does not go to plan.

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.