AIT Lead Engineer

Responsible For

All phases of planning, control and execution of Payload or Spacecraft level AIT & EVT activities during the mission ground test phase.

Key Purpose of Job

Working as part of the spacecraft mission team to progress the Spacecraft or Payload through the in house Assembly, Integration & Test process and external Environmental Test Phase.

Key Tasks

• Work as a key member of the Core Project team, with the Project manager, AIT Manager and Systems Engineer to deliver fully tested payload and spacecraft.

• Manage test operators and responsible engineers activities on the payload or spacecraft in line with system level schedules and requirements, deputising these roles when required

• Provide documentation and present at design, test and project reviews for both internal and external audiences

  • Support upcoming bids and proposals

  • Facilitate and schedule for core AIT support equipment's

    • Electrical Ground Support Equipment

  • Mechanical Ground Support Equipment

  • Test equipment definition

  • Spacecraft and payload harness definition

  • Ground Test cable definition

  • Facilitate and schedule all AIT and EVT phase activities

  • AIT Unit Integration and Test

  • AIT System Integration and Test

  • EVT test campaigns and logistics

  • Implement

  • Test Plans flowing down from system level requirements

  • Unit level integration and testing plans at system level

  • System and subsystem level Integration & Testing plans

  • Test procedures flowing down from test plans and traceable to system level requirements

• Oversee and participate in system level testing

• Act as an expert spacecraft system operator

• Ensure SSTL engineering policies and practices are implemented on the project.

• Oversee and maintain tidiness and safe working practices in the AIT clean room

• Liaise with mission team and external customers

• Support ground segment commissioning and LEOP activities

• Support of training programmes for both internal & customer engineers

• PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications

· Degree or HND/HNC in engineering or science discipline

· Requirements of this post are to hold, or have held in the last 5 years, an EU based personal Security clearance and to be a citizen of one of the member states of the European Union or the Schengen association countries

Experience

· Working with spaceflight hardware, including integrated system testing at spacecraft level

· Detailed test planning and scheduling

· Working with verification / validation of requirements

· Experience of managing test teams in very dynamic environments

· Good understanding of scripting and operation of EGSE systems advantageous

· Good general electrical & electronics background

· Knowledge and understanding of material usage in spaceflight environment

· Hands on knowledge and experience of electronic test equipment usage including RF / communications

Knowledge & Skills

· Proactive problem solver with drive to chase issues through to their conclusion

· Practical and proven hands–on abilities for both flight build as well as ground and development test activities

· Proven ability to deliver solutions under pressure and to tight timescales

· Ability to manage larger work packages or projects and associated resourcing, planning and facility negotiations

· Good team working skills, together with the ability to interface with others at all levels

· Demonstrable strong attention to detail and ensuring that the finished sub-systems/systems will function as designed

· Strong judgment skill in order to work independently and effectively in ambiguous situations

· Proven technical writing and presentation skills

· Excellent inter-personal skills - both written and oral communications; ability to interface with customers and technical representatives

· A flexible, pragmatic attitude to work, planning and interactions with others is required

· Must be prepared to work irregular hours, weekends and shifts

· Familiar with Microsoft Office products, particularly Outlook, Word and Excel along with proficiency in use of Microsoft Project

· Overseas travel is required in this role to support testing in customer premises & test facilities in locations worldwide

· Full, clean driving licence preferred

· Able to demonstrate company mindsets; accountability, one team, customers and projects rule and audacity