AIT & Mechanical Technician

United States Digital Space LLC; Reading; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Hybrid work

Relocation assistance

Visa sponsorship

Private health insurance

Job summary

Space is seeking a hands-on technician for precision mechanical assembly, integration, and test support of the AURA X satellite and propulsion system. You will work across the hardware lifecycle, from assembly and inspection to building test fixtures and GSE, supporting AIT campaigns and goods-in inspection.

You will report to the AIT Lead and collaborate with mechanical, propulsion, and satellite teams, ensuring quality, traceability, and cleanliness of hardware.

Qualifications

• Proven hands-on experience in precision mechanical assembly of high-relability hardware.
• Ability to apply and record fastener torques with calibrated tooling.
• Experience working in a cleanroom or ISO-classified environment.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, including GD&T callouts.
• Experience building and operating mechanical test fixtures and GSE.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation discipline.

Responsibilities

• Assemble satellite structure, subsystems, and propulsion components per drawings.
• Apply and record torque with calibrated tooling per procedures.
• Handle flight hardware with proper contamination control and cleanliness.
• Conduct cleanroom operations, including gowning and logging to ISO standards.
• Install thermal blankets (MLI) and other thermal control hardware.
• Build mechanical test fixtures, jigs, and GSE from drawings.
• Support vibration, shock, and structural test campaigns and post-test inspections.
• Assist propulsion system integration into the satellite structure.
• Maintain as-built records, travelers, torque records, and non-conformance reports.
• Perform goods-in inspection of incoming parts against drawings and certs.

Skills

Precision assembly

Read engineering drawings

Cleanroom experience

Documentation discipline

ESD-aware work

Tools

Calibrated torque tooling

GSE & fixtures

ISO class cleanroom procedures

Job description

At the company Space, our mission is to engineer the lowest orbiting satellites on Earth to rapidly advance global connectivity and insight.

We are currently building satellites that can operate at an altitude of just 200 km - one-third that of conventional satellites.

Your role

You will be a hands‑on technician responsible for the precision mechanical assembly, integration, and test support of the AURA X satellite and thruster system. You will work across the full hardware lifecycle - from assembling and inspecting flight‑quality structural assemblies and mechanisms, through building test fixtures and mechanical GSE, to supporting Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) campaigns on the satellite and propulsion system.

As part of a lean AIT team, you will also support the Goods In function - receiving and inspecting incoming mechanical parts, structures, and materials against drawings and purchase orders, and logging them into the programme inventory.

You will report into the AIT Lead and work alongside the mechanical design, propulsion, and satellite teams, taking direction from engineers while owning the quality, traceability, and cleanliness of the hardware you build and handle.

Key Responsibilities

• Precision mechanical assembly of satellite structure, subsystems, and propulsion system components to engineering drawings and assembly procedures.
• Apply and record fastener torques using calibrated tooling in accordance with torque procedures and drawing callouts.
• Handle flight hardware in accordance with contamination control, ESD, and cleanliness procedures.
• Carry out and maintain cleanroom operations, including monitoring, gowning, and logging to ISO class requirements.
• Install thermal blankets (MLI) and other thermal control hardware to procedure.
• Build mechanical test fixtures, jigs, and GSE from drawings and instructions.
• Support vibration, shock, and structural test campaigns, including fixture build, accelerometer placement, and hardware removal and inspection post-test.
• Support integration of the propulsion system into the satellite structure.
• Maintain as‑built records, travellers, torque records, and non‑conformance reports to support full hardware traceability.
• Inspect and photograph hardware at defined assembly stages; flag non‑conformances to the AIT Lead.
• Perform goods in inspection of incoming mechanical parts, structural components, and raw materials — checking against purchase orders, engineering drawings, and certificates of conformance.
• Log received items into programme inventory; quarantine and tag any non‑conforming or suspect parts for disposition.

Fundamental Requirements

• Proven hands‑on experience in precision mechanical assembly of flight, aerospace, defence, or other high‑reliability hardware.
• Practical experience applying and recording fastener torques with calibrated tooling.
• Experience working in a cleanroom or ISO‑classified environment.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, including GD&T callouts.
• Experience building and operating mechanical test fixtures and GSE.
• Strong attention to detail and discipline in documentation and traceability.
• ESD‑aware working practices.
• Safety‑first mindset, particularly around structural test, pressurised systems, and vacuum environments.

Nice‑to‑haves

• Space industry or satellite assembly experience.
• Familiarity with ECSS workmanship standards, particularly ECSS-Q-ST-70.
• Experience with MLI and thermal blanket installation.
• Basic CAD literacy (SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar) for interpreting models and marking up drawings.
• Experience supporting structural test campaigns (vibration, shock, static load).
• Experience with propulsion system assembly or pressure system hardware.

Personality

• Meticulous and process‑disciplined — takes handling and cleanliness seriously as a matter of instinct, not instruction.
• Safety‑first mindset, particularly around structural test, pressurised systems, and vacuum environments.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑moving development environment where hardware and procedures evolve quickly.
• Collaborative team player who can take direction from engineers while owning the quality of the hardware they build.

Why the company Space?

• Pioneering Space Technology – You'll contribute to launching groundbreaking technology into space. Your work on our revolutionary ion propulsion system and ULEO satellite platform will redefine satellite operations and disrupt traditional LEO operations.
• Unmatched Ownership and Impact – You'll experience a level of ownership that's rare in the space industry. You will participate in the full lifecycle of satellite technology.
• Equity and Competitive Salary – You'll receive not just a competitive salary but also company ownership stakes. Your dedication and hard work are rewarded with a share in the technology you help build, ensuring you're a part of our collective success.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package – Including private health insurance with dental and optical coverage, annual healthcare check‑ups etc.
• Hybrid Work - A hybrid setup with one dedicated remote day per week.
• Visa Sponsorship & Relocation Support - We provide a relocation package and sponsor your visa if you’re joining us from abroad.