On-site AIT Engineering Team Lead - Spacecraft Systems

ICEYE; Warsaw (KY); On-site; USD 66,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

ICEYE is seeking a Team Lead, AIT Engineering to drive the assembly, integration, and testing of satellite systems and optical payloads. You will lead a multidisciplinary team and coordinate with optical, mechanical, electrical, systems, quality, and production groups to translate design intent into manufacturable processes.

The role requires hands-on leadership during spacecraft builds, robust problem-solving, and the ability to balance engineering rigor with rapid production needs.

Qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on experience in spacecraft AIT, system integration, testing, or production of complex hardware systems.
• Strong experience with spacecraft integration and system-level testing across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Experience with optical systems, optomechanics, optical payloads, or Earth Observation systems.
• Experience working with complex precision hardware in cleanroom or controlled environments.
• Strong system-level understanding across mechanical, electrical, optical, and systems engineering.
• Experience with DFM/DFT principles and translating design requirements into manufacturable and testable solutions.
• Experience with AIT processes, test procedures, verification, and technical documentation.
• Experience with GSE, tooling, fixtures, or test setups used for integration and testing.
• Strong troubleshooting skills, including structured root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Experience with MES, ERP, test data management, or similar production systems.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong understanding of configuration-controlled production and engineering environments.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the AIT Engineering team, providing technical direction, mentoring, and clear priorities.
• Lead the assembly, integration, and testing of spacecraft systems, acting as the technical focal point during spacecraft builds.
• Support the integration and validation of externally supplied optical payloads into the spacecraft platform.
• Combine technical leadership with hands-on involvement in spacecraft integration, testing, troubleshooting, and verification.
• Ensure AIT readiness before builds, including tools, GSE, procedures, documentation, hardware, and engineering support.
• Drive structured problem-solving and root cause analysis of integration and test issues, ensuring lessons learned are fed back into Engineering and production.
• Act as the bridge between Production and Engineering, translating design requirements into practical, manufacturable, and testable integration processes.
• Work closely with Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, Quality, Manufacturing, and external suppliers to resolve integration challenges.
• Define and continuously improve AIT processes, procedures, test methods, tooling, fixtures, and technical documentation.
• Support production ramp-up by improving integration efficiency, repeatability, reliability, and scalability.
• Mentor engineers and build strong technical capabilities within the AIT organization.

Skills

AIT Engineering

System integration

Optical payloads

DFM/DFT

GSE/test equipment

Lean manufacturing

English communication

Job description

ICEYE is seeking a Team Lead, AIT Engineering to drive the assembly, integration, and testing of satellite systems and optical payloads. You will lead a multidisciplinary team and coordinate with optical, mechanical, electrical, systems, quality, and production groups to translate design intent into manufacturable processes.

The role requires hands-on leadership during spacecraft builds, robust problem-solving, and the ability to balance engineering rigor with rapid production needs.