Product Test Engineer

Job description

Job Description:

How to apply

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) is a subsidiary of Airbus. SSTL has a heritage that spans over 40 years, and prides itself in continual innovation and improvement of space technologies, products and services, as well as in delivering space missions for a broad array of applications. From the earliest study activities to the subsystem manufacturing, to the assembly and test, to in-orbit operations, the whole spacecraft lifecycle is managed from SSTL’s Guildford, Surrey headquarters.

For SSTL roles please apply directly on A unique career - Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (sstl.co.uk)

Reports To

Product Test Manager

Key Purpose of Job

This role is responsible for the development, and execution, of SSTL avionics hardware testing. The role focuses on executing controlled test procedures, ensuring measurement integrity, maintaining safe test environments and contributing to the development of product test capabilities/methods. The test engineer will work closely with core avionics teams across the business to ensure high-reliability testing appropriate with flight hardware.  

This is a technical, lab-based role with an emphasis on continuous improvement to current test methodologies.

Responsible For

·  Perform bench-level functional testing of core avionics and subsystems.
·  Safe execution of electrical, RF and environmental test activities.
·  Maintaining test rigs, harnesses and instrumentation.
·  Identifying, implementing and driving process improvements.
·  Contribute to the strategy of the Product Test team.
·  Developing and executing test plans for digital, analogue, and mixed-signal electronics.
·  Producing high-quality technical documents including test procedures, results and fault capture reports.
·  Effective stakeholder management across Production, Engineering and Projects.

Key Tasks

·  Conduct flight model hardware testing, including but not limited to The Engine while remaining hands-on with technical work.
·  Collaborate with the Engineering Department to agree handover plans, scope, ownership, responsibilities and boundaries for testing activities.
·  Perform detailed circuit-level debugging using lab equipment and diagnostic tools.
·  Support design teams by reviewing schematics and layouts, ensuring test robustness.
·  Recording results – including processing and analysing raw data.
·  Provide Test Engineering support for one-off or low-volume hardware testing (e.g. Imager Electronics).
·  Maintain accurate records of testing processes, procedures and results in a centralised, accessible database with consistent data management. 
·  Control of technical solutions, budgets, and schedules relating to verification and test activities.
·  Host Test Readiness Reviews and Test Review Boards with stakeholders.
·  Fault investigation and debugging.
·  Support in the design of test equipment (test racks/jigs).
·  Refine and automate manual testing to streamline and improve test efficiency.  
·  Identify process inefficiencies, risks, and failure points, and propose justified improvements to management, including equipment upgrades or new workflows. 
·  Install, configure and operate test rigs, ground support equipment and subsystems.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

Previous Experience

·  Proven experience in electrical hardware testing, preferably within aerospace, space systems, defence or other high-reliability domains.
·  Practical hands-on experience testing electrical, RF, or mixed-signal hardware.
·  Familiarity with environmental, functional, and integration testing of complex electro-mechanical systems.
·  Understanding of DC Power systems, RF test principles and required equipment (VNA/spectrum analysers/signal generators), on-board computer systems, payload data storage and interfacing.
·  Familiarity with test automation tools and data acquisition systems.
·  Exposure to automated test methods or SCPI-driven instruments (advantage).
·  Understanding of Design for Test (DfT) and scalable production test methodologies.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Skills

·  Engineering qualification (HNC/HND or degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or related field).
·  Knowledge of industry standards, ideally for space hardware testing (e.g., ECSS, NASA GEVS, MIL-STD).
·  Test automation experience highly preferred, using Python or similar.
·  Strong analytical and systems thinking capabilities.
·  Experience creating test procedures, workflows, and evaluation reports.
·  Comfortable working independently within a small, fast-moving team environment.
·  Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
·  Competent in reading schematics, block diagrams and controlled procedures.
·  Ability to speak to all technical levels within the business.

Location

Primary Location:  Guildford.

Travel to other sites (e.g. Portsmouth or Stevenage) may be required  to support other teams, with travel time and expenses covered.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:
SURREY SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

Employment Type:
Permanent

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Experience Level:
Professional

Job Family:
Production means/Maintenance

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Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to  emsom@airbus.com .

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.