Senior AIT On-Board Engineer | MRL Consulting

MRL Consulting Group | Global Niche Technology Recruitment; Northampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MRL Consulting Group is seeking an experienced Senior AIT On-Board Engineer to lead Assembly, Integration and Test activities for on-board processor hardware in satellite payloads. You will drive integration, verification and test across subsystems and support qualification campaigns.

The role requires 4+ years in AIT or related space engineering, a relevant degree, and hands-on experience with test equipment and automated testing.

Qualifications

• 4+ years’ experience in AIT, verification or systems integration involving space flight hardware or complex electronics.

Responsibilities

• Lead AIT activities for on-board processor units, ensuring delivery to time, quality and cost requirements.
• Integrate and test hardware, subsystems and electrical ground support equipment.
• Perform functional, performance, characterisation, redundancy and interface testing.
• Support environmental qualification and acceptance campaigns, including thermal vacuum, vibration, acoustics, EMC/EMI and shock.
• Specify, commission and maintain EGSE, including developing test procedures, scripts and monitoring tools.
• Create and maintain AIT documentation, including integration and test procedures, reports and verification documentation.
• Manage non-conformances and contribute to Test Readiness Reviews, Post-Test Reviews and project review boards.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior engineers.

Skills

AIT leadership

Systems integration

Embedded systems

Digital electronics

Strong communication

Team mentoring

Education

Degree or diploma in Electrical/Electronic, Mechanical, Aerospace, Industrial Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analysers

Logic analysers

Signal generators

Linux

Python

Job description

We are recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced Senior AIT On-Board Engineer to join their space systems team. The role will lead Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) activities for on-board processor hardware and support its integration into complex satellite payloads.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead AIT activities for on-board processor units, ensuring delivery to time, quality and cost requirements.
• Integrate and test hardware, subsystems and electrical ground support equipment.
• Perform functional, performance, characterisation, redundancy and interface testing.
• Support environmental qualification and acceptance campaigns, including thermal vacuum, vibration, acoustics, EMC/EMI and shock.
• Specify, commission and maintain EGSE, including developing test procedures, scripts and monitoring tools.
• Create and maintain AIT documentation, including integration and test procedures, reports and verification documentation.
• Manage non-conformances and contribute to Test Readiness Reviews, Post-Test Reviews and project review boards.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior engineers.

About You

• 4+ years\' experience in AIT, verification or systems integration involving space flight hardware or complex electronics.
• Degree or diploma in Electrical/Electronic, Mechanical, Aerospace, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of digital electronics, embedded systems, high-speed data interfaces, FPGA-based systems and power systems.
• Hands-on experience with oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, logic analysers and signal generators.
• Experience using Linux, Windows and Python for automated testing and data analysis.
• Strong understanding of digital signal processing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information to senior stakeholders and customers.
• Strong collaboration and influencing skills, with experience working across multidisciplinary teams.
• A passion for supporting and developing junior engineers.

Experience with GEO, MEO or LEO satellite programmes; Ka/Ku/X-band payloads; digital transparent or regenerative processors; software-defined payload architectures; and spacecraft-level AIT campaigns. Experience with phased array antennas and on-board processing technology is also advantageous.