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  • Title:

    (AIT) Electrical Test Operations Engineer

  • Location:

    Oxford

  • Salary:

    Up to £37 per hour

  • Contact:

    Billy Abbott

  • Contact email:

    babbott@belcan.com

  • Job ref:

    JO0000027759_1774371709

  • Published:

    about 4 hours ago

  • Duration:

    6 Months

  • Expiry date:

    2026-04-23

  • Startdate:

    24/03/2026

AIT Electrical Test Operations Engineer

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