Assembly, Integration, and Test Technician - Future Opportunities

Aalto; Rushmoor; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Short-term incentive

25 days holiday

Private medical insurance

Dental & optical cash back

Pension plan

Income protection

Life assurance

Salary sacrifice scheme

Employee assistance programme

Perkbox discounts

Job summary

AALTO in Farnborough, UK, seeks an Assembly, Integration and Test Technician to support the build and integration of Zephyr aircraft and ground support equipment. You will contribute to delivering mission-ready platforms with high quality and safety standards.

Responsibilities include avionic wiring, component manufacture, record-keeping, and ensuring compliance with HSE and COSHH. Strong attention to detail and problem solving are essential for success.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 03 Avionics or equivalent qualification is required.
• Aerospace/Engineering apprenticeship completed.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and follow instructions.
• Experience with avionic test and wiring installations.

Responsibilities

• Install avionics and mechanical equipment, wire and integrate UAV platforms.
• Manufacture in-house avionics components as required.
• Maintain build records for traceability.
• Adhere to Health & Safety processes and report issues.
• Contribute to problem solving and corrective actions.
• Use calibrated jigs and measuring equipment for dimensional verification.
• Identify waste in assembly and drive efficiency improvements.
• Support shop safety initiatives and implement countermeasures.
• Handle sensitive components with care and manage stop-work decisions.
• Provide training and mentorship to teammates; assist knowledge sharing.
• Perform daily housekeeping to ensure safety and operations.

Skills

Reading engineering drawings

Electrical wiring & testing

Soldering

ESD awareness

Dimensional verification

Problem solving

Communication skills

MS Office

Education

Aerospace Full Apprenticeship

NVQ Level 03 Avionics

Tools

Crimp tools

Test equipment

Job description

AALTO, a global leader in Stratospace. Based in Farnborough, AALTO is an Airbus subsidiary that manufactures, operates, and delivers services with its solar-powered, stratospheric platform: Zephyr.

Zephyr’s persistence enables continuous flight for months at a time. Its current flight-time record of over 67 days in the stratosphere. From above 60,000+ft, or 20km above ground, AALTO can deliver several applications including direct-to-device connectivity and high-resolution Earth observation.

AALTO operates in a new operational layer between most of air traffic and low-Earth orbit, Stratospace. This is where high-altitude platforms led by Zephyr deliver services to commercial and government partners. We can help monitor environments, observe borders, track natural disasters and connect unconnected communities.

About The Role

As Assembly, Integration, and Test Technician, you will support the build and integration of AALTO’s Zephyr aircraft and Ground Support Equipment, helping deliver mission-ready platforms safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards.

Responsibilities to include:

• Avionic and mechanical equipment installation, wiring and system integration of UAV’s platforms.
• Manufacture of avionic in-house components as required.
• Maintain build records.
• Health and Safety process adherence and reporting.
• Contribution to Problem Solving and corrective action delivery.
• Using measuring equipment and calibrated jigs to carry out dimensional verification to the specification.
• Identify waste in assembly processes and implement activities to improve efficiency.
• Support shop safety initiatives and manage timely implementation of countermeasures to resolve problems.
• Safe handling and protection of very fragile and flexible components
• Mitigate immediate risks including ‘stop work’ as well as ??
• Provide training, guidance, and mentorship to new and existing team members to support workforce development and knowledge sharing.
• Carry out daily housekeeping tasks to ensure health, safety, and operational requirements.

Skills and Knowledge Required

• Aerospace or Engineering Full Apprenticeship.
• Completed an NVQ Level 03 Qualification in Avionics Engineering or other relevant discipline.
• Strong understanding of ability to read engineering drawings and follow process instructions.
• Conducting and recording of installation and system integration tests.
• Ability to read and understand test procedures.
• Knowledge of basic test equipment and crimp tools.
• Ability to carry out soldering to a good quality standard.
• Understanding of working in ESD sensitive environments.
• Knowledge of general aircraft manufacturing/ maintenance and processes applicable.
• Dimensional verification to the specification.
• Demonstrated experience pro-actively solving technical problems.
• Experience of hands-on production of avionic hardware and wiring installations.
• Quality conscious working method and organised approach to tasks.
• Works well under pressure, works hard to meet strict production targets.
• Clear and effective communication skills (both written and oral).
• Knowledge of general aircraft manufacturing/ maintenance and processes applicable to the aviation environment (Human Factors, FOD, Tool Control, Health & Safety & COSHH).
• Understanding of 6S.
• Attention to detail.
• Proficient computer skills, and use of the Microsoft Office suite.

In addition to an attractive market-aligned salary, we offer:

• Rewarding Excellence: Benefit from our short-term incentive plan that rewards your hard work and dedication.
• Enjoy Your Time Off: Benefit from 25 days of holiday to relax and recharge.
• Stay Healthy: We’ve got your health covered with private medical insurance, along with dental and optical cash back.
• Secure Your Future: Take advantage of our personal pension plan to ensure a comfortable retirement.
• Peace of Mind: Our income protection and life assurance schemes are there to support you when you need it most.
• Getting around: Drive the latest vehicles with our discounted salary sacrifice scheme.
• We Care About You: Our employee assistance programme is always available to provide the support you need.
• Perks Galore: Enjoy a range of employee discounts via Perkbox, from household goods to travel!

Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?