Senior Production AIT Planner

MDA Space; East Hagbourne; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

MDA Space in the UK is seeking a Senior Production/AIT Engineer – Planner to join our Harwell office (Didcot). You will plan and manage the production schedule and AIT workflows for satellite‑electronics programmes, coordinating cross‑functional teams and SOP development.

We expect 4–6 years in production engineering or AIT within space or high‑tech defence, with strong analytical and communication skills. The role supports continuous improvement and certification readiness, with a hybrid work

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• (Preferred) MSc in Systems Engineering, Operations Research or Business Administration.
• 4‑6 years of experience in production engineering, manufacturing operations or AIT within the space, satellite‑electronics or high‑tech defence sector.
• Proven experience planning and controlling complex multi‑discilpline programmes.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage the production schedule and AIT workflows, developing routings and SOPs for satellite electronics.
• Drive Lean/Six-Sigma improvements to boost throughput and first‑time‑right rates.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams (design, procurement, quality, test, logistics) to resolve bottlenecks.
• Maintain production data, risk registers, and status reporting using MES/ERP and AIT tools.
• Ensure compliance with ECSS/ISO‑9001 standards and config‑control processes.
• Train junior planners and technicians on production processes and AIT procedures.
• Work with QA to embed in‑process inspections and NC tracking.
• Ensure AIT activities meet required certification test sequences.

Skills

Production engineering

Manufacturing operations

AIT

Space industry

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering

MSc in Systems Engineering, Operations Research or Business Administration

Job description

Harwell - Didcot Didcot, OXF OX110GD, GBR

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 Production/ AIT Engineer – Planner at 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:

• Plan and manage the production schedule and AIT workflows, including developing routings and work-instructions (SOPs) for the satellite‑electronics programmes.
• Drive continuous‑improvement (Lean, Six‑Sigma) across the production floor and AIT labs to increase throughput, reduce re‑work and improve first‑time‑right rates.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams – design, procurement, quality, test and logistics – to resolve bottlenecks, technical issues and configuration changes.
• Maintain accurate production data, risk registers and status reporting using MES/ERP and AIT‑specific tools
• Ensure compliance with ESA/UK‑Space Agency standards (ECSS, ISO‑9001) and programme‑specific configuration‑control processes.
• Train junior planners, technicians and new hires on production processes, AIT procedures and data‑entry standards.
• Work with Quality Assurance to embed in‑process inspections, non‑conformance (NC) tracking and closure.
• Ensure AIT activities meet required certification test sequences

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.
• (Preferred) MSc in Systems Engineering, Operations Research or Business Administration.
• 4‑6years of experience in production engineering, manufacturing operations or AIT within the space, satellite‑electronics or high‑tech defence sector.
• Proven experience planning and controlling complex multi‑discipline programmes.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
• 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.

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:

MDA Space provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations. As a team member of MDA, you and your qualified dependents are eligible to participate in a benefit plan that ensures a comprehensive level of protection through competitive health care including; private healthcare, disability income protection, life insurance, pension plan; and an employee assistance program. We also have a Hybrid work model in place, for a better work/life balance.

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.