At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and manage production schedules for advanced satellite-electronics programmes.
- Company: Leading organisation in the exciting space sector.
- Benefits: Permanent role with 4 days on-site and 1 day WFH.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with top industry standards and grow your career.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and contribute to cutting-edge space technology.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in production planning or AIT, with Lean/Six Sigma experience.
The predicted salary is between 42750 - 52250 £ per year.
A leading organisation within the space sector is seeking a Production AIT Planner to support the manufacturing and delivery of advanced satellite-electronics programmes. Working as part of an active engineering and operations function, you will play a key role in orchestrating production schedules, AIT workflows, and shop-floor execution throughout the manufacturing lifecycle. You will work closely with Design, Procurement, Quality, Test, and Logistics teams to drive operational efficiency, resolve production bottlenecks, and ensure complex space hardware progresses smoothly from initial routing through to final delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and manage the production schedule and AIT workflows, including developing routings and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for satellite-electronics programmes.
- Drive continuous improvement (Lean/Six Sigma) across the production floor and AIT labs to increase throughput, reduce rework, and improve first-time-right rates.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams (Design, Procurement, Quality, Test, Logistics) to resolve bottlenecks, technical issues, and configuration changes.
- Maintain accurate production data, risk registers, and status reporting using MES/ERP and AIT-specific tools.
- Ensure compliance with space industry standards (ECSS, ISO 9001) and programme-specific configuration-control processes.
- Work alongside Quality Assurance to embed in-process inspections, non-conformance (NC) tracking, and swift closure while ensuring activities meet required certification test sequences.
- Present technical status data clearly to senior leadership and external customers/agencies (e.g. ESA, UK Space Agency), while training junior planners and technicians on production procedures.
What We're Looking For
- 4+ years of experience in production planning, manufacturing operations, or AIT within the space, satellite-electronics, or high-tech defence sectors.
- Proven track record planning and controlling complex, multi-discipline hardware programmes.
- Hands-on experience with MES/ERP tools and AIT production workflows.
- Strong process-improvement background with a Lean / Six Sigma qualification (Green Belt minimum).
- Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
Desirable Experience
- Experience across space flight hardware, phased array antennas, or on-board processing technologies.
- Familiarity with spacecraft-level or unit-level AIT campaigns.
- Exposure to ESA / UK Space Agency frameworks and ECSS standards.
Security Vetting Note Compliance: Please note successful candidates will be required to undergo BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) screening, including right-to-work, identity, criminal record, and a minimum of 3 years of employment history checks, as part of the onboarding process.
Production AIT Planner employer: Practicus
As a leading organisation in the space sector, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work culture that encourages innovation and collaboration. Our employees benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises professional growth, offering unique opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects in Manchester, Stevenage, or Harwell. With a focus on quality and reliability, we empower our software engineers to make significant contributions to advanced space systems while enjoying a balanced work-life with a four-day on-site schedule.
