Propulsion AIT Engineer

United States Digital Space LLC; Reading; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work (1 remote day per week)

Equity / company ownership stakes

Relocation support and visa Sponsor

Job summary

Space is seeking a mid-level AIT procedural owner to turn qualification requirements into a complete library of test procedures, plans, and assembly instructions for the propulsion system. You will work with propulsion design/test engineers, report to the Lead AIT Engineer, and partner with the Technical Programme Manager to ensure delivery.

You will own the procedural backbone from first-article assembly to system-level acceptance testing.

Qualifications

• 3+ years' experience writing test procedures, assembly instructions, or work instructions for mechanical, fluidic, or propulsion hardware in a flight or high-reliability environment.
• Hands-on experience executing the procedures you write.
• Experience with pressurised systems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and system documentation.
• Good documentation discipline with version control and traceability.
• ESD-aware working practices.
• Strong safety mindset around pressurised and hazardous operations.

Responsibilities

• Own the writing, review, and maintenance of all assembly instructions, work instructions, and build procedures.
• Write and own test plans and test procedures for propulsion campaigns.
• Maintain the AIT schedule for the propulsion system and ensure test facilities and GSE.
• Ensure equipment is calibrated and compliant with safety requirements.
• Develop and maintain hazardous operations procedures for pressurised activities.
• Execute test and assembly procedures hands-on, recording results to traceability standards.
• Maintain the propulsion procedure library with version control and configuration management.
• Support integration of the propulsion system into the satellite structure.
• Manage non-conformances on propulsion hardware and coordinate with the design team.
• Perform goods in inspection against PO, drawings, and certificates of conformance.
• Coordinate with technicians to ensure tasks are understood and completed on schedule.
• Support environmental test campaigns and witnessing activities.

Skills

Procedures writing

Hands-on testing

Pressurised systems

Reading drawings

Documentation discipline

ESD awareness

Safety mindset

Tools

ECSS standards

Vacuum chamber operation

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 the technical process owner for the AURA X propulsion AIT programme, responsible for turning qualification requirements and engineering intent into a complete library of test procedures, test plans, and assembly instructions.

You will work alongside the Propulsion Design and Test Engineers, report into the Lead AIT Engineer, and partner closely with the Technical Programme Manager to ensure delivery. You will own the procedural and logistical backbone of the propulsion qualification campaign - from first-article assembly through to system-level acceptance testing.

This is a mid-level role for someone who can translate system knowledge into rigorous, operator-ready documentation, and then execute those procedures hands-on. Qualification strategy and test logic are defined by the Technical Programme Manager; your role is to take that framework and build the detailed technical processes that make it executable - and then run them.

Key Responsibilities

Own the writing, review, and maintenance of all assembly instructions, work instructions, and build procedures - from component level through to integrated module on the propulsion system.

• Write and own test plans and test procedures for propulsion campaigns, including pressure test, proof test, leak test, functional flow test, and performance characterisation.

• Maintain the AIT schedule for the propulsion system, interfacing with test facilities and ensuring all GSE is available for each test in the plan.

• Ensure that all equipment is kept calibrated.

• Develop and maintain hazardous operations procedures for all pressurised system activities, in line with safety requirements defined for the programme.

• Write propellant handling and loading procedures.

• Execute test and assembly procedures hands-on, operating test rigs and instrumentation and recording results to programme traceability standards.

• Maintain the propulsion procedure library - version control, review cycles, and configuration management of all procedural documents.

• Support integration of the propulsion system into the satellite structure, contributing assembly procedures for the integration sequence.

• Manage non-conformances on propulsion hardware - raising NCRs, supporting dispositions with the propulsion design team, and updating procedures where needed.

• Perform goods in inspection of incoming components, against purchase orders, drawings, and certificates of conformance.

• Coordinate with technicians ensuring tasks are understood and completed in line with the schedule.

• Support environmental test campaigns involving the propulsion system, contributing test procedures and witnessing campaigns.

• Support satellite AIT activities.

Fundamental Requirements

3+ years' experience writing test procedures, assembly instructions, or work instructions for mechanical, fluidic, or propulsion hardware in a flight or high-reliability environment.

• Practical hands-on experience executing the procedures you write - comfortable on the bench as well as at the desk.

• Experience with pressurised systems - sufficient to write safe, compliant procedures and execute them competently.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and system documentation to produce accurate procedural content.

• Good documentation discipline - understands version control, review processes, and what traceability means in a flight programme context.

• ESD-aware working practices and understanding of contamination control requirements.

• Strong safety mindset around pressurised and hazardous operations.

Nice-to-haves

Experience in a space, aerospace, defence, or other high-reliability industry environment.

• Familiarity with pressure testing methods (proof, leak, burst, flow) and the standards that govern them.

• Experience with vacuum chamber operation and maintenance.

• Experience with electric propulsion systems or vacuum test environments.

• Familiarity with ECSS standards or equivalent quality and workmanship frameworks.

• Experience handling xenon or other inert propellants, including loading and facility operations.

• Background in mechanical AIT as well as propulsion - comfortable contributing to wider satellite integration activities.

Personality

Writes procedures the way a good operator would want to receive them - clear, unambiguous, and complete.

• Equally at home writing documentation and getting hands-on with hardware.

• Safety-conscious around pressurised and hazardous systems without needing to be prompted.

• Collaborative - works closely with design engineers to extract the technical content needed for good procedures, and communicates problems early.

• Comfortable in a fast-moving programme where procedures are living documents that evolve with the hardware.

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.