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iO Associates

iO Associates

Lead AIT Engineer (Satellite)

Reading On-site 5-10 yrs exp Staffing and Recruiting 160 employees£65k – £80k / year
Assembly Integration & Test (AIT)ECSS StandardsEnvironmental Qualification TestingTVac TestingVibration Testing
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Requirements

Requires proven experience in high-reliability satellite or spacecraft AIT environments with a strong understanding of ECSS standards. Previous leadership experience and familiarity with electric propulsion or small satellites are highly advantageous.

Job Description

Lead AIT Engineer - Space & Satellite | Reading | £65,000-£80,000 + Benefits

Are you an experienced Lead AIT Engineer looking to play a key role in the future of space technology?

We're partnering with an innovative space and satellite company in Reading to recruit a permanent Lead AIT Engineer. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead the Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT) programme for cutting-edge gridded-ion propulsion systems and satellite platforms, taking projects from engineering model through to flight acceptance.

The Role

As Lead AIT Engineer, you'll take ownership of the complete AIT lifecycle, including:


  • Defining and implementing the AIT strategy
  • Leading spacecraft and thruster assembly, integration and test activities
  • Managing environmental qualification campaigns, including TVac, vibration and EMC testing
  • Driving hardware integration through to flight acceptance
  • Ensuring quality and compliance through ECSS-compliant procedures, NCR management, hardware traceability, calibration and QMS activities

What We're Looking For

We're keen to speak with engineers who have:


  • Proven experience in satellite, spacecraft or other high-reliability AIT environments
  • A strong understanding of ECSS standards and environmental qualification testing
  • Experience delivering flight hardware
  • Previous leadership or programme-level AIT experience

Experience with small satellites, electric propulsion, or advanced spacecraft programmes would be highly advantageous.

What's on Offer

  • Competitive salary of £65,000-£80,000
  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • Relocation support available
  • Visa sponsorship for eligible candidates
  • The opportunity to work on next-generation space technology with a highly innovative organisation

If you're ready to take the lead on exciting space missions and make a real impact within a growing aerospace business, we'd love to hear from you.

Skills

Assembly Integration & Test (AIT)ECSS StandardsEnvironmental Qualification TestingTVac TestingVibration TestingEMC TestingFlight AcceptanceNCR ManagementHardware TraceabilityQuality Management Systems (QMS)Satellite PlatformsElectric PropulsionSpacecraft AssemblyProject LeadershipHardware Integration

About iO Associates

iO Associates is a specialist talent partner for the tech, digital, and engineering sectors. We support leading organisations and outstanding professionals across the UK, Europe, and the US, building teams that deliver real progress. With deep industry expertise and a commitment to long-term partnerships, we design tailored solutions that create immediate impact while enabling sustained success. Whether strengthening leadership, enhancing technical expertise, or unlocking innovation, our approach is built around your unique goals. Proudly working with clients and candidates worldwide, we combine industry knowledge with an extensive network to deliver bespoke, partnership-driven strategies that help you thrive today and in the future.