Assembly and Integration Engineer - Spacecraft Optical Payloads

UK Space Jobs; Guildford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid working policies

32 days annual leave + BH

Annual Company Bonus Scheme

8% employer pension contribution

Life Assurance (6X salary)

Private Health Care

Enhanced Maternity & Paternity leave

Discounts & Membership schemes

Job summary

UK Space Jobs is seeking an Optical AIV Engineer to join the Optical Payload Team in Guildford, supporting the assembly, integration and verification of spacecraft optical payloads in a cleanroom environment with high standards.

The role involves handling GSE, optical alignment testing, bonding operations, and coordinating with the workshop. Experience in cleanrooms and familiarity with optics or spaceflight hardware is desirable.

Qualifications

• Must have hands-on, practical abilities with hand tools and measuring devices.
• Experience in cleanroom environments handling sensitive hardware (optics/spaceflight) is preferred.
• Background in assembling or building a product is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Operate complex GSE setups to achieve optical alignment tolerances and perform optical testing.
• Design and set up smaller GSE to aid sub-assemblies.
• Carry out bonding operations for optical components.
• Perform early-stage fit checks and alignment using CMM/DTI or similar tools.
• Record issues and outcomes in discrepancy reports.
• Handle and transport flight items and payloads.
• Inspect incoming optical components and clean parts.
• Collaborate with the Opto-mechanical workshop for build stages and part mods.
• Maintain detailed build activity records with photos and test reports.
• Support the Optical Cleanroom Manager to ensure cleanliness and health & safety compliance.
• Assist the Work Package Manager with progress updates and scope estimates.

Skills

Cleanroom experience

Optical alignment

Hands-on hardware assembly

BPSS clearance

Strong communication

Documentation of build activities

Education

Engineering or Science degree

Tools

CMM

Hexapods

Theodolites

Autocollimators

Interferometers

Motorised stages

CAD

MS Project

Python scripting

Job description

Optical AIV Engineer | Spacecraft | Guildford | Competitive salary & package

We are seeking an Engineer to join the Optical Payload Team of a leading Spacecraft / Satellite company. We’re seeking and engineer with high standards and technical capabilities to support the delivery of the next generation of spacecraft Optical Payloads with Assembly, Integration and Verification inside a cleanroom environment. Previous Spacecraft experience is desirable but not essential. Engineers with Assembly / Integration / Verification of other sensitive hardware in a cleanroom setting will also be considered.

Key Tasks

• Operation of complicated GSE (Ground Support Equipment) setups to achieve the required optical alignment tolerances and to perform optical performance testing (MTF & Radiometry) to verify the finished payload.
• Design & setup of smaller GSE to aid in the build of smaller sub-assemblies.
• Performing critical bonding operations of optical components through use of adhesives.
• Early-stage fit checks and alignment of mechanical parts through use of CMM, DTI clocking, or similar processes to minimise machining tolerance stack-ups.
• Investigate and problem solve issues which occur during build; recording both the issue and the outcome in Discrepancy Reports.
• Handling and transporting of flight items (or entire completed payloads) within, and between working areas.
• Inspection of incoming optical components.
• Cleaning of mechanical parts manually and through use of Ultrasonic bath.
• Co-operating with the Opto-mechanical workshop for various stages of payload assembly, and for part modification.
• Maintaining a detailed record of all build activities, including photos, measured values achieved, and test reports.
• Co-operate with the Optical Cleanroom Manager to ensure cleanliness of the working areas is maintained, and all relevant health & safety is adhered to.
• Supporting the Work Package Manager through regular updates on progress and estimates of work to be completed, as well as potential scope to be allocated the role of Work Package Manager, taking responsibility of the budget and schedule for a given optical payload build.

Previous Experience

Required:

• Worked within a cleanroom environment, laboratory, or low-volume high-value production environment.
• Worked with sensitive hardware; ideally optics or spaceflight hardware.

Proven Hands-on Experience Assembling Or Building a Product.Ideal:

• Has used precision equipment commonly used in optical alignment, e.g. Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), Hexapods, Theodolites, Autocollimators, Interferometers, Motorised Stages.
• Has used setups to verify optical systems (i.e. use of test setups which measure Modulation Transfer Function or Integrating Spheres).
• Has aligned components to tight tolerances (whether optical or mechanical).
• Experience gained through relevant hobbies or home projects will be considered.

Qualifications Knowledge & Skills

Required:

• A degree in Engineering or Science discipline.
• Practical and hands-on abilities, including use of hand tools and measuring devices.
• Basic knowledge of mechanical parts and adhesives; specifically in the context of assembly (i.e. should understand concepts such as torquing and cure times).
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, & PowerPoint.

Must Hold, Or Be Willing To Undergo, BPSS Clearance.Ideal:

• Familiarity with optics, including basic understanding of the subject and common alignment and testing methods.
• Understands the impacts of lack of cleanliness and ESD safety to an optical payload.
• Ability to write and understand simple python scripts.
• Ability to use Computer Aided Design (CAD).
• Proficient in MS Project.
• Knowledge of Quality Management systems.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Able to demonstrate company mindsets; accountability, one team, drive & delivery, self-manage effectively, and communicate effectively.

Reward:

• Highly competitive Salary
• Flexible / hybrid working policies
• 32 days annual leave + BH
• Annual Company Bonus Scheme
• Up to 8% employer pension contribution
• Life Assurance (6X salary)
• Private Health Care
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity leave
• Multiple Discount, Memberships schemes