Senior AIT RF Comms Payload Engineer

MDA; East Hagbourne; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Private healthcare

Pension plan

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

MDA Space at Harwell is seeking a Senior AIT RF Communications Engineer to lead a multiskilled team in delivering end-to-end RF payload integration and testing. The role focuses on advancing satellite communication technologies and ensuring rigorous environmental qualification across campaigns.

The successful candidate will apply RF system expertise, scripting for test automation, and cross-functional collaboration with ESA and UK Space Agency partners. A hybrid work model is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or closely related discipline.
• 5+ years of RF payload, satellite communications, aerospace, defence, or telecommunications experience including leading integration and test campaigns.
• Strong understanding of RF communication systems and satellite architectures.
• Experience with RF test equipment such as VNA, spectrum analysers, signal generators and related tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of multiskilled AIT engineers to deliver full AIT campaigns on time, quality, and cost.
• Perform integration activities of the Payload.
• Conduct RF Payload Verification & Testing including functional and end-to-end tests.
• Prepare for environmental qualification campaigns including Thermal vacuum, vibration, acoustics, EMC/EMI and Shock.
• Specify, commission, validate and maintain EGSE and develop scripts and monitoring tools.
• Create and maintain AIT documentation for flight hardware.
• Raise, manage and support non-conformances in reviews.
• Provide inputs to project reviews and test readiness boards.
• Mentor junior engineers in technical aspects.

Skills

RF payload experience

Satellite communications

Leadership experience

Python scripting

Linux/Windows proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Tools

VNA

Spectrum analysers

Signal generators

Noise figure analysers

RF switching systems

Job description

Harwell - Didcot
Didcot, OXF OX110GD, GBR

Description

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The global MDA Space team of more than 3,800 space experts has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there. For more information, visit www.mda.space .

We’re on the hunt for a Senior AIT RF Communications Engineerat our Harwell office (Stevenage option) .

MDA Space’s international footprint in the UK creates opportunities to work with some of the most exciting space industrial players in the country. Delivering all three business area capabilities in Geointelligence, Robotics & Space Operations, and Satellite Systems, our UK team provides support to our European-based customers while specializing in the development of advanced space sensors for exploration missions as well as space-based communication technology. As our presence grows overseas, so does our need for new ambitious team players to help us advance our place in the Universe and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of multiskilled AIT engineers to deliver a full AIT campaign, on time, quality and cost
• Perform integration activities of the Payload
• Perform RF Payload Verification & Testing including functional testing, performance verification, end-to-end payload testing, link budget validation, RF chain characterisation, redundancy testing and interface verification.
• Prepare for and support environmental qualification and acceptance test campaigns including Thermal vacuum, vibration, acoustics, EMC/EMI and Shock.
• Specify, commission, validate and maintain electrical ground support equipment (EGSE) including writing specs, commission and validation procedures, maintenance plans and developing scripts and monitoring tools.
• Create configure and maintain AIT documentation including integration procedures, test procedures, test reports, verification reports, data packs, and configuration control documents for the flight HW.
• Raise, manage and support non-conformances in the review process.
• Provide inputs to project reviews, Test Readiness Reviews, Post Test Review & Test Review Boards
• Develop and guide junior engineers from a technical prospective.

Experience in the space industry, phased array antennas and on-board processing technology is also desirable.

Suitable candidates will ideally have the following attributes:

• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• 5+ years of RF payload, satellite communications, aerospace, defence, or telecommunications experience including leading integration and test campaigns.
• Strong understanding of RF communication systems and satellite communication architectures
• Hands on experience with RF test equipment including VNA’s, spectrum analysers, signal generators, noise figure analysers and RF switching systems.
• Ability to use both Linux and Windows operating system and Python for scripting automated test scrips and data analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to present technical data clearly to senior leadership and external customers (ESA, UK‑Space Agency).
• Proven ability to influence cross‑functional teams without direct authority.
• Collabrative team player with the drive to help junior engineers to develop
• GEO, MEO, or LEO satellite programmes.
• Ka-band, Ku-band, X-band payloads.
• Digital transparent processors and regenerative payloads.
• Active phased array antennas.
• Software-defined payload architectures.
• Spacecraft-level AIT campaigns.

We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #TeamMDA to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth. If you’re excited to expand our place in space and driven to inspire the next generation, we’ll take you there.

We have entered a new era of exploration and development, and MDA Space welcomes all who yearn to suit up and be part of it. An equal opportunity employer prizing diversity, integrity and collaboration, we are committed to growing MDA Space’s leadership in this next golden age.

Comments/Special Considerations:

We are required to conduct a BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) screening in which we will check your:

• Right to work: To confirm that you are entitled to take up the position as well as check your nationality and immigration status
• Identity: Full ID check
• Criminal records: Basic Disclosure
• Employment history check: Confirmation of past three years of employment (minimum) history/activity
• Reference checks

Benefits statement:

• Competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations.
• private healthcare
• disability income protection
• life insurance
• pension plan
• an employee assistance program
• Hybrid work model

Equal opportunity statement:

MDA Space is an equal opportunity employer prizing diversity and inclusion. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity. If you require assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please feel free to notify us.

Accommodations

MDA Space is proud to provide accommodation(s) during the recruitment process. Should you require any accommodations, please indicate this on your application/cover letter and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.