AIT Engineer - Mechanical Assembly & Flight Hardware Build/Test

Adepto Technical Recruitment Ltd; Warrington; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in Warrington is seeking an AIT Engineer to support assembly, integration, and testing of precision mechanisms for space applications. Responsibilities include mechanical assembly, documentation, and contributing to high-profile space programs. The ideal candidate has 3+ years in similar roles, with a background in mechanical engineering and a strong understanding of inspection techniques. Competitive salary and excellent benefits offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days annual leave

Up to 8% matched pension contribution

Health care

Life assurance

Qualifications

• 3+ years' experience in AIT, mechanical assembly, or aerospace hardware testing.
• Practical knowledge of precision mechanical assembly techniques.
• Familiarity with quality-controlled environments and aerospace standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain Bills of Materials for mechanical assemblies.
• Inspect precision components for compliance with specifications.
• Produce build documentation and inspection reports.

Skills

Mechanical assembly

Test setups

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Education

HNC, HND, BTEC/Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or related

Tools

Inspection tools and microscopes

Metrology tools

Job description

Location: Birchwood Park, Warrington (near Manchester)

Employment Category: Full Time (37.5 hours per week)

Salary/Benefits: Competitive salary, with excellent benefits including 25 days annual leave plus statutory holidays, additional leave purchase, up to 8% matched pension contribution, health care, life assurance and more

Are you

• Experienced in mechanical assembly, integration, and testing of precision mechanisms or flight hardware?
• Confident working from engineering drawings, test procedures, and quality standards — but still eager to develop and refine your skills?
• Interested in working on space-related mechanisms and test rigs in a clean, high-quality laboratory environment?
• Comfortable working independently but also collaborating closely with senior engineers and technicians?
• Looking for a role where you\'ll take ownership of technical tasks without being burdened by high-level management responsibilities?

The Company (kept as plain text language in the original content)

Our client is a leading Science & Engineering company providing independent specialist technical consultancy, products and services to the Space & Vacuum, Oil & Gas, Industrial, and Transport sectors. They are seeking an AIT Engineer to join our Space & Vacuum team, supporting the assembly, integration and testing of precision mechanisms and hardware for spaceflight and aerospace research and development applications. This is a hands-on role where you\'ll work with flight-standard components, complex assemblies, and test rigs, contributing to high-profile space programmes. You\'ll collaborate closely with senior engineers but also be trusted to manage your own tasks and responsibilities to a high standard.

The Job

As an AIT Engineer, you\'ll play a key role in the preparation, build, inspection, and testing of mechanical assemblies and supporting test rigs. You\'ll work independently on assigned tasks while supporting senior colleagues on more complex builds and R&D activities. You\'ll complete necessary documentation and communicate with suppliers while also having some interactions with clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Mechanical Assembly & Flight Hardware Build/Test: Prepare and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs), supporting kitting activities and ensuring full hardware traceability.
• Inspect precision components using microscopes and other metrology tools to verify compliance with engineering specifications.
• Carry out the assembly of development and flight mechanisms, working from detailed build and test procedures.
• Handle and fit bearings, gears, and high-precision components, ensuring correct tolerances and finishes are achieved.
• Produce build documentation, inspection reports, and contribute to Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs) and root-cause investigations when required.
• Support packing, bagging, and preparation of delivery paperwork for flight-standard components.
• Participate in post-test disassembly and inspections, documenting findings and providing input to data analysis.
• Contribute to continuous improvement activities, ensuring lessons learned from previous projects are applied to future builds.

Test Rig / Prototype Assembly & Instrumentation Setup

• Support the setup, integration, and operation of test rigs used for R&D and flight hardware qualification.
• Review engineering drawings and assembly instructions for test rigs, raising queries and improvements where necessary in collaboration with the mechanical engineers.
• Assist in selecting, kitting, cleaning, and preparing hardware for rig integration.
• Install and configure test rig instrumentation under supervision, contributing to data collection and troubleshooting where needed.
• Work alongside engineers to analyse test data and provide observations for inclusion in reports.
• Help ensure rigs are properly decommissioned and instrumentation is restored for future use.

Requirements

We\'re looking for a proactive, detail-oriented engineer with hands-on experience in mechanical assembly, test setups, and laboratory-based work. You\'ll be capable of owning your tasks and completing documentation to accurately capture build and test activities, while working effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.

Essential Skills & Experience

• 3+ years\' experience in AIT, mechanical assembly, or aerospace hardware testing.
• Practical knowledge of precision mechanical assembly techniques, tolerances, and GD&T.
• Comfortable working with engineering drawings, test procedures, and controlled documentation.
• Experience with inspection techniques — including microscopes, gauges, and metrology tools — for critical components.
• Familiarity with quality-controlled environments and working to aerospace standards (e.g. ISO 9001, AS9100).
• Ability to identify and resolve basic build issues independently and escalate more complex problems when necessary.

Beneficial Skills & Knowledge

• Exposure to motor drive systems, gearboxes, and actuation mechanisms.
• Knowledge of data acquisition (DAQ) systems, thermal monitoring, connectors, and harness assembly.
• Supervisory experience including mentoring, work planning and line-management would be helpful.
• Aware of ESD handling and cleanliness practices in high-integrity assembly environments.
• Workshop skills — including safe use of lathes, mills, pillar drills, and precision hand tools.
• Experience contributing to test result analysis and report preparation.
• Comfortable working hands-on in cleanroom environments, following contamination control procedures.

Qualifications

- HNC, HND, BTEC/Diploma, or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a relevant technical discipline.

- Candidates with significant hands-on experience but no formal qualification will also be considered.