AIT Systems Integration Engineer

Company NewOrbit builds satellites that fly in very low Earth orbit, below 300 km, along with the electric propulsion that keeps them there. Flying closer to Earth means sharper imagery from smaller optics, and an orbit that cleans itself: our satellites de-orbit within a month at end of life, leaving no debris. Our AURA family of RF gridded ion thrusters powers our own NEO-1 satellite, with first flight planned for Q3 2028, and is also offered to other operators. Electric propulsion is what lets our satellites hold very low orbits, and our AURA RF gridded ion thruster is at the centre of it. Role The AIT Systems Integration Engineer owns functional and system-level testing of our spacecraft and the verification tracking for each satellite campaign. Working within the Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT) team, you will take the satellite from integrated subsystems to a flight-ready, fully verified vehicle. You will bridge systems engineering, subsystem teams and the AIT Engineering Functions. You will turn requirements into test procedures, run and lead test campaigns, and make sure every requirement is closed out with traceable evidence before launch. The role suits someone who knows SmallSat development approaches, is hands-on with Hardware and Ground Support Equipment (GSE), and understands how satellite subsystems behave together. Responsibilities Functional and system testing • Own the functional and system test programme for the spacecraft, from unit-level acceptance, integration, thought to whole System End-to-End Testing. • Write, review and run test specifications and procedures, including basic functional testing, FDIR, end-to-end tests and mission/day-in-the-life simulations. • Lead test readiness reviews and test review boards, and sign off test reports. • Run tests before, during and after environmental campaigns (vibration, thermal vacuum, EMC) to confirm spacecraft health. • Diagnose anomalies, raise and track Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), and drive root-cause investigations with subsystem engineers. • Develop and maintain automated test scripts and telemetry/telecommand (TM/TC) databases used for testing. Verification tracking • Own the verification matrix (VCRM) for the satellite campaign, mapping each requirement to its method: test, analysis, inspection or review of design. • Plan the verification approach with Systems Engineering and keep it current through the campaign. • Collect and link verification evidence, and report close-out status against milestones. • Prepare verification data packages for key reviews (e.g. CDR, TRR, QR, PSR/FAR) and customer acceptance. GSE and test infrastructure • Specify, integrate and validate Electrical GSE, including power supplies, battery simulators, RF test sets, umbilicals and break-out boxes. • Maintain the spacecraft checkout software and ground segment interfaces used on the AIT floor. • Make sure GSE is calibrated, configuration-controlled and safe for use with flight hardware. Integration and campaign support • Support subsystem and payload integration, including electrical interface checks, harness verification and safe-to-mate procedures. • Plan and schedule system test activities within the wider AIT campaign. • Support launch campaign activities, including transport, launch site checkout and launch vehicle interface testing. • Work to cleanroom, ESD and flight hardware handling standards, and contribute to lessons learned for future missions. Requirements • Degree in Aerospace, Electronic, Electrical or Systems Engineering, Physics, or equivalent experience. • Typically 3+ years in spacecraft AIT, systems integration or test engineering. • Hands-on experience with functional and system-level testing of satellites or space subsystems. • F