Lead AIT Engineer

Location: Guildford, UK Contract: 6 months (high likelihood of extension)
Rate: £45-£50 per hour OUTSIDE IR35

The Lead AIT Engineer will take ownership of Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) activities for advanced spaceflight hardware, spacecraft systems, and mission payloads. This role is central to ensuring mission readiness, leading system‑level test campaigns, and supporting ground operations for high‑profile space missions.

You’ll guide multidisciplinary test teams, oversee verification activities, and ensure all spacecraft and payload systems meet stringent performance and safety requirements.

AIT Leadership – Lead spacecraft and payload AIT activities from planning through execution.

System-Level Testing – Oversee integration, functional testing, and environmental test campaigns.

Test Team Management – Coordinate and mentor test engineers and technicians during mission‑critical phases.

Verification & Validation – Ensure compliance with system requirements, test procedures, and mission objectives.

EGSE Oversight – Manage Electrical Ground Support Equipment usage, configuration, and troubleshooting.

Mission Operations Support – Contribute to ground operations, including LEOP and in‑orbit test activities.

Documentation & Reporting – Produce high‑quality test plans, procedures, logs, and post‑test reports.

Spaceflight Hardware – Strong background in spacecraft or payload hardware integration and testing.

Test Planning & Execution – Proven ability to design, run, and manage complex test campaigns.

EGSE Competency – Hands‑on experience with electrical ground support systems.

System Verification – Demonstrated capability in system‑level verification in high‑pressure environments.

RF & Communications Testing

Spacecraft Operations

LEOP Experience