We are currently on the look out for a number of AIT Engineers to work on two sites based in Oxford or Stevenage. Below is a list of positions we need and a brief overview of each role. If you are interested, please state in your application which role you would like to be considered for.

All roles will require SC clearance and due to the nature of the roles the will be onsite, UK Eyes Only.

AIT Electrical Test Operations Engineer

Location: Stevenage and Oxford (Onsite, UK Eyes Only)

Clearance: SC Required

Rate: £37.00/hr (Umbrella, Inside IR35)

Hours: 37 per week

Shift Pattern: Up to 24/7 rotation, including weekends

Initial Base: Stevenage, transitioning to RAL NSTF, Oxfordshire in March 2026

Role Overview

The AIT Electrical Test Operations Engineer plays a key role in the preparation, execution, and analysis of electrical and functional testing for spacecraft and engineering test benches. Operating within a cleanroom environment, the engineer ensures that spacecraft systems meet stringent performance and safety standards ahead of environmental testing and launch campaigns.

Key Responsibilities

Core Activities

• Executes electrical and functional test procedures on engineering test benches and flight spacecraft.
• Utilises the Central Checkout System (CCS), Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE), and Spacecraft Check-Out Equipment (SCOE).
• Validates electrical test aids, breakout boxes, cables, and related hardware.
• Updates test procedures, raises work orders, and produces comprehensive test reports.
• Supports the development and debugging of Automated Test Procedures (ATP) using a bespoke high level software language.
• Contributes to electrical integration and testing at unit, subsystem, and full spacecraft level.
• Provides electrical test support during environmental testing and launch activities.
• Assists in the design and manufacture of electrical test aids, including drawings, manufacturing packs, and procurement oversight.
• Supports departmental operations such as calibration recall, test campaign logistics, and export rating tasks.

Knowledge & Experience

• Proficient with electrical and RF test equipment including DMMs, oscilloscopes, signal generators, current probes, power meters, network analysers, and data bus monitors.
• Competent in preparing technical documentation; experience with Digital Design and Manufacturing Systems (DDMS) is advantageous.
• Familiarity with updating CCS test sequences or scripts is beneficial.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft electrical systems and harnessing.
• Awareness of spacecraft subsystems such as Data Handling, AOCS, Power Systems, Thermal Control, and communication buses (1553, Space Wire).
• Experience with programming or scripting languages for automated test sequences is advantageous.
• Comfortable working in both Windows and Linux environments.
• Knowledge of cleanroom protocols.
• Willingness to support shift work and UK travel for test campaigns.

Essential Skill Set

• Experience in electrical integration on test benches or spacecraft.
• Confident use of a wide range of electrical test equipment and test racks.
• Ability to execute and make minor updates to CCS test sequences/scripts.
• Strong electrical faultfinding and test debugging capability.
• Experience supporting environmental and launch test campaigns.
• Skilled in updating test procedures, writing work orders/plans, producing test reports, and supporting test and nonconformance reviews.
• Minimum qualification: HNC or NVQ Level 4 in an Electrical Engineering discipline, or >5 years of relevant experience.

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Satellite AIT EGSE Engineer

Location: Onsite (UK Eyes Only)

Clearance: SC Clearance Required

Rate: £45.00 per hour (Umbrella, Inside IR35)

Hours: 37 per week

Step into a role at the heart of spacecraft innovation. As a Satellite AIT EGSE Engineer, you’ll be the technical authority behind the electrical ground support equipment that powers spacecraft build, integration, and test. This is your chance to work on mission critical systems, solve complex engineering challenges, and directly contribute to the success of space missions.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll take ownership of the electrical test racks and EGSE systems that keep spacecraft development moving. Your day to day will include:

• Maintaining, validating, and faultfinding on advanced electronic and RF test racks
• Administering and configuring computer systems and networks across Windows and Linux environments
• Setting up and securing local networks, including firewall configuration
• Supporting environmental and launch test campaigns
• Preparing test specifications, reviewing supplier data packs, and contributing to design reviews
• Ensuring EGSE systems are mission ready through routine maintenance and continuous improvement
• This is a hands on, high impact engineering role where your expertise directly influences spacecraft performance and reliability.

What You Bring

Essential Skills

• Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience, 5+ years)
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of electronic and RF test racks
• Proven faultfinding ability down to board/component level
• Confident administering networks and computers (Windows & Linux)
• Solid documentation skills for procedures, reports, and technical notes
• Familiarity with interfaces such as Mil1553, Space Wire, CAN bus, RS232/422
• Experience with ATE environments (PCI, VXI, PXI)
• Competence with general-purpose lab test equipment
• Experience designing, manufacturing, or commissioning test systems
• Willingness to support shift work and overseas test campaigns

Desirable Skills

• Experience integrating electrical systems on spacecraft
• Knowledge of TMTC databases
• Ability to write test sequences/scripts for spacecraft systems (including FDIR)
• Background in environmental or launch test campaigns
• Strong Linux/Unix skills, especially bash scripting
• Programming experience in C, Java, Python, TCL, or VBA

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Electrical Systems Test Engineer – Satellite AIT

An opportunity to shape the performance and reliability of nextgeneration spacecraft

Location: Onsite (UK Eyes Only)

Clearance: SC Clearance Required

Rate: £55.00 per hour (Umbrella, Inside IR35)

Hours: 37 per week

Role Overview

This role places the Electrical Test Engineer at the center of satellite Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT). The engineer will design, develop, and execute complex electrical and functional test sequences that ensure spacecraft are fully prepared for the challenges of launch and the space environment.

They will work hands on with flight hardware, support live test operations, investigate anomalies, and contribute to the technical reviews that determine spacecraft readiness. This position is ideal for someone who thrives on precision, problem solving, and the excitement of seeing their work contribute directly to a mission in orbit.

Reports to: Satellite AIT Electrical Test Engineering Manager Works with: AIT EGSE engineers, Functional Verification engineers, Quality teams, Design and Operations architects, AIT management, CADM

Key Responsibilities

Test Development & Execution

• Interpret electrical and functional test requirements from detailed specifications.
• Develop, debug, and execute automated test sequences using high level languages and bespoke spacecraft checkout systems.
• Prepare and run complex test procedures on flight spacecraft and test benches.
• Provide firstline technical support to operations teams during live spacecraft testing.

Technical Investigation & Review

• Support anomaly investigations and contribute to Non-Conformance Review Boards (NRBs).
• Participate in major project reviews including Test Readiness Reviews, Post Test Reviews, and Test Review Boards.
• Produce clear, comprehensive test reports and documentation.

Environmental & System Testing

• Support spacecraft functional and performance testing during environmental campaigns such as TVAC, magnetic, and EMC testing.
• Assist in spacecraft system investigations and follow up actions from review boards.

Quality & Standards

• Work in accordance with company procedures, quality standards, and cleanroom disciplines.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance test coverage and reliability.

Skills & Knowledge

Technical Expertise

• Experience writing spacecraft test sequences/scripts for Central Checkout Systems (CCS).
• Knowledge of scripting or programming languages (e.g., Elisa, Java, C, Python, TCL, VBA).
• Understanding of spacecraft subsystems such as:

Data Handling & TMTC

1553 and SpaceWire communications

Attitude & Orbit Control Systems

Power systems, batteries, solar arrays

Thermal control and FDIR

• Familiarity with Linux/Unix and Windows environments.
• Competence with electrical test equipment (oscilloscopes, DMMs, current probes, data bus analysers).
• Awareness of systemlevel testing and verification processes.

Experience

• Developing and debugging spacecraft system test sequences, including FDIR.
• Supporting environmental and launch test campaigns.
• Investigating electrical/system faults and resolving test anomalies.
• Preparing test procedures, writing reports, and supporting technical reviews.

(Desirable) Electrical integration experience on spacecraft or test benches.

Education & Background

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline OR
• 5+ years of relevant experience in spacecraft, avionics, or complex electronic systems testing
• Experience within the space or aerospace sector is highly beneficial

Security Requirements

The successful candidate must be a UK National and able to obtain SClevel security clearance prior to starting.