AIT - Lead AIT Engineer

At Orbital Paradigm, we design, develop, manufacture, and operate reusable orbital logistics systems. Our spacecraft perform multiple orbital mission profiles and return safely to Earth through hypersonic atmospheric reentry and landing with pinpoint accuracy for rapid refurbishment and reuse. Role Description We are looking for a Lead AIT Engineer to establish and lead the AIT function at Orbital Paradigm, building the processes, team, infrastructure, and execution discipline required to assemble, integrate, test, and deliver reusable orbital logistics vehicles. The role covers full spacecraft AIT, subsystem integration, EGSE and MGSE, cleanroom operations, functional testing, environmental qualification, launch campaign support, and test readiness activities. The engineer will work closely with systems, avionics, software, GNC, propulsion, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, and program teams to deliver flight-ready spacecraft hardware. This is a technical and people leadership role requiring direct experience with successfully flown spacecraft, strong hands-on engineering capability, disciplined test execution, and the ability to define and scale the company’s AIT approach from early development through qualification, flight readiness, and recurring operations. Key Responsibilities Establish the company’s AIT function, including processes, standards, workflows, team structure, facilities, and operating practices. Define and implement AIT strategy, integration flows, test philosophy, verification approach, and readiness criteria for reusable spacecraft programs. Build, mentor, and coordinate the AIT team, including engineers, technicians, suppliers, and external test partners. Define AIT infrastructure needs, including cleanroom, EGSE, MGSE, tooling, lifting equipment, safety systems, and test facilities. Lead spacecraft-level and subsystem-level assembly, integration, and test activities. Plan and coordinate AIT campaigns, including resources, facilities, procedures, schedules, risks, and technical dependencies. Lead integration of spacecraft structures, mechanisms, avionics, harnessing, propulsion elements, thermal hardware, software, and payload interfaces. Define and maintain AIT flows, test plans, procedures, checklists, readiness criteria, and verification evidence. Lead functional, electrical, mechanical, environmental, and system-level test campaigns. Coordinate EGSE and MGSE definition, preparation, validation, operation, and maintenance. Oversee cleanroom operations, hardware handling, contamination control, ESD control, lifting operations, and safety practices. Lead environmental qualification activities, including vibration, shock, thermal-vacuum, thermal cycling, EMC/EMI, and leak or pressure testing as applicable. Manage non-conformances, anomalies, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and retest activities. Ensure configuration control, as-built records, test logs, inspection records, and verification documentation are complete and accurate. Coordinate with suppliers, test facilities, launch service providers, and external partners for integration and test activities. Lead launch campaign preparation and support spacecraft operations through final checkout and handover. Interface with program leadership to report progress, risks, blockers, and resource needs. Contribute to design reviews, test readiness reviews, qualification reviews, and flight readiness reviews. Required Qualifications Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field. Significant professional experience in spacecraft AIT, aerospace integration and test, or equivalent high-reliability hardware environments. Direct experience with assembly, integration, testing, and delivery of successfully flown spacecraft. Experience establishing, scaling, or leading AIT processes, teams, facilities, or test campaigns. Strong practical understanding of full spacecraft integration, subsystem interfaces, test execution, verification, and qualification. Experience leading multidisciplinary AIT teams through complex hardware integration and test campaigns. Experience with EGSE, MGSE, cleanroom operations, hardware handling, test procedures, and configuration control. Experience with functional testing, electrical integration, mechanical integration, environmental testing, and system-level verification. Experience managing anomalies, non-conformances, root-cause investigations, corrective actions, and retest logic. Ability to read and use engineering drawings, interface control documents, electrical schematics, harness documentation, test procedures, and verification plans. Familiarity with ECSS, NASA, or equivalent aerospace standards for AIT, verification, qualification, and quality. Ability to plan technical work, coordinate teams, manage dependencies, and drive activities to completion under schedule pressure. Strong communication skills for coordinating across engineering, manufacturing, quality, program, suppliers, and test facilities. Ability to write clear technical documentation, procedures, reports, review material, and test records. Full proficiency in English, written and spoken. Preferred Qualifications Experience in a startup or small-company environment with fast design iterations. Experience with reusable spacecraft, reentry vehicles, launch vehicles, orbital transfer vehicles, satellites, or payload integration. Experience supporting launch campaigns, final spacecraft checkout, or launch site operations. Experience with thermal-vacuum, vibration, shock, EMC/EMI, pressure, leak, or propulsion-related test campaigns. Experience with contamination control, ESD control, cleanroom protocols, lifting operations, hazardous operations, or pressure systems. Familiarity with PLM, MES, requirements management, non-conformance, configuration management, or test data systems. Basic proficiency with scripting or data analysis tools such as Python or MATLAB. Good proficiency in Spanish. What We Value Excellence in technical work, execution, and professional conduct Strong ownership mindset, with the ability to drive activities to clear outcomes through accountability, proactivity, and resourcefulness Clear, efficient, direct, and constructive communication Team-first attitude with low ego and strong cross-functional collaboration What We Offer Location: Madrid, Spain (office-first) Flexible hybrid work (2 days/week from home + 2 fully remote weeks/year) 30 vacation days (23 flexible, +7 during holidays). Salary depending on experience and profile Relocation package depending on seniority and profile Flexible compensation (meal vouchers, health insurance, public transport) Company shares plan