Location: Oxford (Onsite, UK Eyes Only)
Clearance: SC Required
Rate: £37.00/hr (Umbrella, Inside IR35)
Hours: 37 per week
Shift Pattern: Up to 24/7 rotation, including weekends
Initial Base: Stevenage, transitioning to RAL NSTF, Oxfordshire in March 2026
Role Overview
The AIT Electrical Test Operations Engineer plays a key role in the preparation, execution, and analysis of electrical and functional testing for spacecraft and engineering test benches. Operating within a cleanroom environment, the engineer ensures that spacecraft systems meet stringent performance and safety standards ahead of environmental testing and launch campaigns.
Key Responsibilities
Core Activities
Executes electrical and functional test procedures on engineering test benches and flight spacecraft.
Utilises the Central Checkout System (CCS), Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE), and Spacecraft Check-Out Equipment (SCOE).
Validates electrical test aids, breakout boxes, cables, and related hardware.
Updates test procedures, raises work orders, and produces comprehensive test reports.
Supports the development and debugging of Automated Test Procedures (ATP) using a bespoke high‑level software language.
Contributes to electrical integration and testing at unit, subsystem, and full spacecraft level.
Provides electrical test support during environmental testing and launch activities.
Assists in the design and manufacture of electrical test aids, including drawings, manufacturing packs, and procurement oversight.
Supports departmental operations such as calibration recall, test campaign logistics, and export rating tasks.
Knowledge & Experience
Proficient with electrical and RF test equipment including DMMs, oscilloscopes, signal generators, current probes, power meters, network analysers, and data bus monitors.
Competent in preparing technical documentation; experience with Digital Design and Manufacturing Systems (DDMS) is advantageous.
Familiarity with updating CCS test sequences or scripts is beneficial.
Strong understanding of spacecraft electrical systems and harnessing.
Awareness of spacecraft subsystems such as Data Handling, AOCS, Power Systems, Thermal Control, and communication buses (1553, SpaceWire).
Experience with programming or scripting languages for automated test sequences is advantageous.
Comfortable working in both Windows and Linux environments.
Knowledge of cleanroom protocols.
Willingness to support shift work and UK travel for test campaigns.
Essential Skill Set
Experience in electrical integration on test benches or spacecraft.
Confident use of a wide range of electrical test equipment and test racks.
Ability to execute and make minor updates to CCS test sequences/scripts.
Strong electrical fault‑finding and test debugging capability.
Experience supporting environmental and launch test campaigns.
Skilled in updating test procedures, writing work orders/plans, producing test reports, and supporting test and non‑conformance reviews.
Minimum qualification: HNC or NVQ Level 4 in an Electrical Engineering discipline, or >5 years of relevant experience.
This vacancy is being advertised by Belcan
Salary description
£37.00 - £37.00 per hour