Production Test Engineer - Contractor

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A consultancy opportunity for an experienced Electrical Test Engineer is available, focused on enhancing avionics acceptance test processes. The role involves observing current practices, identifying inefficiencies, defining scalable test methodologies, and delivering comprehensive reports. Ideal candidates should have a solid background in aerospace or high-reliability systems, along with a relevant engineering qualification and strong analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in electrical hardware testing, preferably within aerospace, space systems, or high-reliability domains.
• Familiarity with environmental, functional, and integration testing of complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Understanding of DC Power systems and RF test principles.

Responsibilities

• Shadow the engineering team during module electrical bench testing and document current test sequences.
• Define production-ready module testing in a scaled environment and deliver comprehensive documentation.
• Prepare and deliver formal presentations to stakeholders based on test findings and recommendations.

Skills

Electrical hardware testing

Analytical skills

Verbal communication

Documentation

Education

Engineering qualification (HNC/HND or degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or related field)

Tools

Test automation tools

Job description

*This role sits inside IR35*

This is a 6-to-12-month consultancy role suited for an experienced Electrical Test Engineer with a strong background in aerospace or high-reliability systems. You will play a key role in evaluating our current testing practices and providing expert recommendations to improve the efficiency, consistency, and scalability of our avionics acceptance test processes. You will help to define what an industrialised Production Test Team will constitute: people; equipment; process; facilities.

Key Tasks

Phase 1: Test Observation & Evaluation

• Shadow the existing engineering and test team during module electrical bench testing and verification activities.
• Observe and document current test sequences and workflows.
• Identify inefficiencies, risks, or potential failure points in the test process.
• Produce a detailed report and presentation outlining:
• Observations on test execution and documentation.
• Recommendations for process improvements.
• Suggestions for tools, automation, or procedural enhancements.
• Resource knowledge and skill sets.

Phase 2: Process Definition & Presentation

• Define what production-ready module testing could look like in a scaled environment.
• Develop a workflow proposal suitable for integration within a Production Test team.
• Prepare and deliver a formal presentation to Engineering and Production leadership and relevant stakeholders.
• Include potential resource, tooling, and personnel considerations for implementation.
• Install, configure, and operate test rigs, ground support equipment, sensors, and subsystems.
• Perform test execution, troubleshooting, first-line quality inspections, and anomaly logging and reporting.
• Deliver comprehensive documentation: test procedures, reports, qualifications, and anomaly summaries.
• Ensure Health & Safety compliance during test campaigns, both in-house and on-site.

Deliverables

• Written report with findings and recommendations (end of Phase 1).
• Presentation and report outlining future-state test operations for module testing (end of Phase 2).
• Supporting documentation, flowcharts, financial analysis/justification or templates to guide future implementation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Previous Experience

• Proven experience in electrical hardware testing, preferably within aerospace, space systems, or other high-reliability domains.
• Familiarity with environmental, functional, and integration testing of complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Understanding of DC Power systems, RF test principles and required equipment (VNA/spectrum analysers/signal generators), on-board computer systems, payload data storage and interfacing.
• Familiarity with test automation tools and data acquisition systems.
• Understanding of Design for Test (DfT) and scalable production test methodologies.

Qualifications Knowledge & Skills

• Engineering qualification (HNC/HND or degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or related field)
• Knowledge of industry standards for space hardware testing (e.g., ECSS, NASA GEVS, MIL-STD).
• Strong analytical and systems thinking capabilities.
• Experience creating test procedures, workflows, and evaluation reports.
• Comfortable working independently within a small, fast-moving team environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in interpreting engineering drawings and schematics