Workshop Technician

Foundational; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EMI share options (UK employees)

25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays

Enhanced Parental Leave

Cycle to work schemes

Job summary

Foundational in London is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to lead hands-on assembly of station hardware, wiring, testing and integration for our laser ranging network.

You will read engineering drawings, work with machining and assembly, and help turn prototypes into repeatable builds; EMI options, 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays, enhanced parental leave, and a fast-moving spacetech environment await.

Qualifications

• Experience in a workshop/engineering environment is essential.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and interpret specs.
• Comfort with basic electrical wiring and wiring looms.

Responsibilities

• Machine, modify and assemble mechanical parts and sub-assemblies.
• Build wiring looms, cabinets and electrical assemblies.
• Assemble and test station hardware before it ships.
• Keep the workshop safe, organised and stocked.
• Help engineers turn prototypes into repeatable builds.
• Prepare and pack equipment for shipping to sites.

Skills

Workshop experience

Read engineering drawings

Precision and cleanliness

Electrical wiring basics

Education

NVQ/HNC

Tools

CNC machining

Lathe and mill

Wiring looms

Job description

Senior Optical Engineer

This is a future role. We're building a shortlist now and will contact you when it opens.

About us

Foundational is building the most precise picture of Earth and orbit, using lasers fired from the ground. We call it ground truth for orbit.

We design and run low-cost, autonomous satellite laser ranging stations. They measure the distance to satellites with extreme precision, day and night. Our data platform turns those measurements into tracking data and orbit products for satellite operators, space agencies and governments. We also build our own flight‑proven laser retroreflector arrays, so any satellite can be tracked.

Our station network is expanding across Europe, South America, Africa and Australia. The data supports resilient navigation, Earth observation and the safe, sustainable use of space.

We're a small, fast-moving team of engineers, scientists and operators in London. We're backed by venture investors and supported by ESA, the UK Space Agency, Innovate UK and the European Innovation Council.

Position Overview

London · Full time · On-site

You’ll run our workshop and build the hardware that goes into our stations. The work is hands‑on and varied: machining, assembly, wiring and testing.

What you’ll do

• Machine, modify and assemble mechanical parts and sub‑assemblies

• Build wiring looms, cabinets and electrical assemblies

• Assemble and test station hardware before it ships

• Keep the workshop safe, organised and stocked

• Help engineers turn prototypes into repeatable builds

• Prepare and pack equipment for shipping to sites around the world

What you’ll bring

• Workshop experience in engineering, manufacturing or a research lab

• Manual machining (lathe and mill) and hand‑tool skills

• The ability to read engineering drawings, and basic electrical wiring skills

• Care for precision and cleanliness

Nice to have

• CNC machining

• Optical or cleanroom assembly

• Welding and fabrication, or 3D printing

• A relevant NVQ or HNC

What We Offer

• A high-impact role with real ownership at an early‑stage, venture‑backed spacetech company

• EMI share options (UK employees)

• 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays

• Enhanced Parental Leave

• Cycle to work schemes

• Work alongside engineers and scientists across optics, lasers, software and astrodynamics

• Offices in central London, with snacks, tea, coffee and regular socials

We actively champion underrepresented groups and seek to bridge gaps in our workforce. If you're excited by the role but don't match every point, or you’re seeking a part time role, please apply anyway and add a note into your application. Building the best team is our priority.