Senior Space AIT & Production Planner

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

Job summary

An experienced Senior Production / AIT Engineer – Planner is sought to support production planning and Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) activities within advanced satellite electronics programmes. The role requires coordinating cross-functional teams and delivering on-time routings and work instructions.

You will drive Lean improvements, manage data using MES/ERP systems and ensure compliance with ECSS/ISO 9001. 4–6 years in space sector preferred; BPSS screening applies.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years' experience in production engineering, manufacturing operations or AIT within the space, satellite electronics or high-tech defence sector.
• Degree or diploma in Electrical/Electronic, Mechanical, Aerospace, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline.
• Proven experience planning and controlling complex, multidisciplinary programmes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information to senior stakeholders and customers.
• Strong ability to influence and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
• Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent process improvement qualification.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage production schedules and AIT workflows, including developing routings and work instructions.
• Drive Lean and Six Sigma improvements to increase throughput, reduce rework and improve first-time-right performance.
• Coordinate design, procurement, quality, test and logistics teams to resolve bottlenecks, technical issues and configuration changes.
• Maintain accurate production data, risk registers and status reporting using MES/ERP and AIT tools.
• Ensure compliance with ECSS, ISO 9001 and programme-specific configuration control processes.
• Work with Quality Assurance on in-process inspections and non-conformance tracking.
• Ensure AIT activities meet required certification and test sequences.
• Train and support junior planners, technicians and new team members.

Skills

Production planning

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Tools

MES/ERP systems

AIT tools

Job description

An experienced Senior Production / AIT Engineer – Planner is sought to support production planning and Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) activities within advanced satellite electronics programmes. The role requires coordinating cross-functional teams and delivering on-time routings and work instructions.

You will drive Lean improvements, manage data using MES/ERP systems and ensure compliance with ECSS/ISO 9001. 4–6 years in space sector preferred; BPSS screening applies.