About The Role
We are seeking an experienced Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT) Manager to build and lead the AIT organization for a next‑generation space observatory through final integration, environmental verification, hazardous processing, and launch vehicle integration on the Eastern Range. You will collaborate with world‑class scientists, engineers, and global partners on a program that enables groundbreaking astrophysical discoveries.
The program includes payload‑level integration of a telescope and instruments at a supplier site in California, delivery of a bus and payload to a final integration site in Florida, where spacecraft‑level testing, propellant loading, encapsulation, and launch vehicle integration are performed. This is a management position: you will stand up a new integration facility purpose‑built for world‑class space optics, manage commercial processing providers, staff and qualify the technician workforce, establish production and test process control, and run the integrated test campaign from testbed integration through launch handoff.
The Spacecraft Systems Engineering group owns the Requirements Verification Plan, the test strategy, and the closure criteria. The AIT group that you lead implements that plan: translating verification requirements into executable procedures and integration flows, executing them on flight and testbed hardware, and delivering as‑run data and discrepancies back for requirement closure. Verification approach is a Systems Engineering product; verification execution is an AIT product. The AIT Manager and the V&V engineers work as direct counterparts across that boundary.
Key Responsibilities For This Role Include The Following
AIT Management and Execution
- Build, staff, and lead the AIT organization; own the AIT Plan, budget, schedule, resource loading, and critical path.
- Own payload-to-platform integration: receiving, inspection, payload reassembly, mate to the bus, alignment, and final observatory closeout, including hold points, hazard controls, and back‑out paths.
- Lead spacecraft‑level test execution: end‑to‑end functional, performance, modal survey, DFAT, EMC self‑compatibility, mass properties, thruster alignment, and closeout.
- Coordinate integration readiness with the platform, payload, and instrument suppliers; review and approve supplier integration flows, readiness artifacts, and as‑shipped configuration.
- Own anomaly response during integration and test, including troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective action.
- Own AIT content in program review gates (CDR, TRR, MRR, ORR, launch readiness) and report status and risk to leadership.
Facilities, Providers, and Launch Site Setup
- Establish and stand up a new integration facility purpose‑built for world‑class space optics: requirements definition, bay and cleanroom design, buildout, activation, certification, and turnover to operations.