Space AIT Manager: Observatory Integration Lead

Project Pearl; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Project Pearl seeks an experienced Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT) Manager to build and lead the AIT organization for a next‑generation space observatory. You will oversee integration across multiple sites, manage the verification strategy, and run the end-to-end test campaign from testbed integration to launch handoff.

You will stand up a new AIT facility, coordinate with suppliers and vendors, and lead a team of engineers and technicians to ensure mission readiness and schedule adherence.

Qualifications

• Experience leading AIT teams for complex aerospace programs.
• Strong systems engineering background with verification methods.
• Ability to manage budgets, schedules and risk across multi-site integrations.

Responsibilities

• Build, staff, and lead the AIT organization; own the AIT Plan, budget, schedule, resource loading, and critical path.
• Own payload-to-platform integration and final observatory closeout, including hazard controls and back-out paths.
• Lead spacecraft-level test execution: end-to-end functional, performance, mass properties, and test readiness.
• Coordinate integration readiness with platform and instrument suppliers; review supplier integration flows and artifacts.
• Own anomaly response during integration and test, including root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Establish a new integration facility tailored for space optics; define requirements, design bays/cleanrooms, and turnover to operations.

Skills

AIT management

Systems engineering

Project planning & scheduling

Anomaly investigation & root cause

Job description

Project Pearl seeks an experienced Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT) Manager to build and lead the AIT organization for a next‑generation space observatory. You will oversee integration across multiple sites, manage the verification strategy, and run the end-to-end test campaign from testbed integration to launch handoff.

You will stand up a new AIT facility, coordinate with suppliers and vendors, and lead a team of engineers and technicians to ensure mission readiness and schedule adherence.