Mechanical AIT Tech Lead

Expleo is a trusted partner for end‑to‑end, integrated engineering, quality services and management consulting for digital transformation. We help businesses harness unrelenting technological change to successfully deliver innovations that will help them gain a competitive advantage and improve the everyday lives of people around the globe.

As part of our continued support to our customer in the space sector we are looking for a number of Assembly Integration and Test (AIT) Mechanical Technician Technical Leads to join us on a permanent or contract basis, to grow and develop their careers within AIT as part of an international company expanding its internal space capability. The salary/rate is negotiable based on experience, seniority, etc.

The role will be based at our customer’s facility in Portsmouth and will involve shift work for which a premium will be paid.

This vacancy presents an exciting opportunity for ambitious individuals to develop and grow their skills and knowledge within a thriving organisation. The job holder will be engaged in a wide variety of mechanical operations covering all areas of assembly and integration on spacecraft payloads. Though specific experience in RF and optical cable routing and assembly, as well as clean‑room experience are highly sought after, this role is challenging but rewarding and the candidate must be able to demonstrate their experience and proven capability to manage a team to deliver project objectives.

• Manage the engineering team to ensure all deliverables defined in the Statement of Work (SoW) are achieved in terms of time, cost and quality.
• Fully understand the project contractual and legislative requirements and ensure these are clearly cascaded to the team.
• Integrate all the different technical functions of the project team to ensure that the technical requirements are met.
• Ensure resource capabilities and skill allocation are suitable for the project.
• Manage and control checking of deliverables.
• Manage continuous process improvement.
• Be the technical focal point of the team and build good working relationships with customers.
• Work with your team to identify, develop, test and deliver cost saving initiatives.
• Ensure Task initiation Forms are complete (technical, schedule and allocated hours) and distributed to the team members, where appropriate.
• Create a positive and inclusive environment where people feel valued for the skills and knowledge that they bring to the team and build a team culture of shared events and rewarding behaviour.
• Conduct annual & mid‑term appraisals and maintain constructive feedback throughout the year.
• Recommend training needs to Head of Business & Chief Engineers for individuals in support of the project.
• Utilise work orders on Apriso or EWIS or paper as input into the mechanical assembly process.
• Work with and be responsible for the successful installation and integration of kits of parts.
• Read and understand 3D drawings and technical notes using Dragonfly or 3
  
  DXML.
• Utilise procedures and documents containing engineering data (e.g., torque values) as part of the mechanical installation process.
• Be aware of COSHH and risk assessment documents that support integration and assembly activities.
• Complete receipt, inspection and handling of equipment to the relevant standard.
• Complete component/equipment installation and grounding.
• Complete bonding of parts.
• Conduct waveguide installation.
• Carry out coaxial cable installation and routing.
• Carry out thermal hardware installation and routing.
• Carry out DC harness routing and connection.
• Assemble mechanical parts as directed by the customer.
• Ensure procedures are completed and filled according to customer requirements.
• Author reports in case of an anomaly or deviation.
• Ensure all work completed complies with relevant quality standards, ensuring quality inspection passed.

• HNC or HND in engineering/maintenance OR Apprenticeship in Aerospace/Space or other high quality production field.

• Experience in leading engineering teams to deliver complex multi‑functional projects.
• Strong engineering background for the capabilities listed.
• Demonstrated experience in a…