Assembly And Integration Engineer - Spacecraft Optical Payloads

Langham Recruitment; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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

Job summary

Langham Recruitment seeks an Optical AIV Engineer for a spacecraft programme in Guildford. The role involves operating complex GSE to achieve optical alignment and perform performance testing, plus designing smaller setups to assist sub-assemblies. You will bond optics, perform precise alignment checks, and maintain thorough build records.

Ideal candidates have optics familiarity, CAD, Python, and QA/ESD awareness. This hybrid role offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or Science discipline.
• Hands-on abilities with hand tools and measuring devices.
• Basic knowledge of mechanical parts and adhesives; torquing and cure times.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, & PowerPoint.
• Must hold, or be willing to undergo, BPSS Clearance.
• Familiarity with optics and alignment/testing methods (Ideal).
• Understanding cleanliness and ESD safety impacts on optical payload (Ideal).
• Python scripting ability (Ideal).
• CAD usage (Ideal).
• MS Project proficiency (Ideal).
• Quality Management knowledge (Ideal).
• Flexible and adaptable; strong communication (Ideal).

Responsibilities

• Operation of complex GSE setups to achieve optical alignment tolerances and perform optical testing (MTF & Radiometry).
• Design & setup of smaller GSE to aid in sub-assembly builds.
• Perform bonding operations of optical components with adhesives.
• Early-stage fit checks and alignment using CMM, DTI, or similar to minimise tolerance stack-ups.
• Investigate and problem-solve build issues and document in Discrepancy Reports.
• Handle and transport flight items and payloads within/between areas.
• Inspect incoming optical components.
• Clean mechanical parts with ultrasonic bath or manually.
• Collaborate with Opto-mechanical workshop for payload assembly and modifications.
• Maintain detailed build activity records with photos and test reports.
• Support with cleanliness and health & safety in work areas.
• Assist Work Package Manager with progress updates and potential scope for budget/schedule responsibilities.

Skills

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

BPSS Clearance

Optics knowledge

Python scripting

CAD

MS Project

Quality Management

ESD safety

Flexibility/Adaptability

Communication

Education

Engineering or Science degree

Tools

BPSS Clearance tooling

Job description

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

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