Lead AIT Engineer - Contract AIT · Guildford
Company: Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL)
Location: Guildford
Posted: April 11th, 2026
Overview
Lead AIT Engineer - Contract – Guildford
Responsibilities
- All phases of planning, control and execution of Payload or Spacecraft level AIT & EVT activities during the mission ground test phase.
- 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 core AIT support equipment: 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; and 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 training programmes for both internal & customer engineers.
Qualifications
- Qualifications: Degree or HND/HNC in engineering or science discipline.
- 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.
- 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.
- Familiar with Microsoft Office products, particularly Outlook, Word and Excel along with proficiency in use of Microsoft Project.
- Good communication and presentation skills.
- Must be prepared to work irregular hours, weekends and shifts.
- A flexible, pragmatic attitude to work, planning and interactions with others is required along with a well developed sense of humour & irony.
- Overseas travel is required in this role to support testing in customer premises & test facilities in locations worldwide.
Location & Contract
- Location: Guildford
- Contract type: Contract
- Please note that this contract will need to be processed through one of our sub-contracting partners, and we will be happy to put you in contact with them.
- Contract duration: Initially 6 months
Additional
- Department: AIT
- Role: AIT Lead Engineer
- Locations: Guildford
- Job Reference: 363
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