Optical AIV Engineer

Optical AIV Engineer

Satellite Vu

Guildford, United Kingdom

The Role

SatVu is seeking an Optical AIV Engineer to support on-site assembly, integration and verification of the HotSat-4 optical instrument at Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) in Guildford. This is an on-site role requiring presence five days per week for the payload build phase.

You will be embedded within SSTL’s Optical AIV and Optical Imaging teams to perform precision optical/mechanical assembly, instrument AIV, operation of interferometers/CMMs/MTF rigs/TV chambers and bespoke test equipment, and to deliver verified flight hardware. Following the active build, you will contribute to SatVu’s technical team to capture lessons learned and support future payload AIV planning as we grow the constellation. Day‑to‑day technical direction will come from SSTL’s Optical AIV leads on-site; overall line management will report to SatVu’s Head of Programmes.

This position offers an opportunity for professional growth and the chance to make a meaningful impact within a dynamic and rapidly growing company.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out optical and mechanical alignment of instruments; perform AIV activities in cleanroom and lab environments;
• Operate and maintain test equipment (interferometers, CMM, thermal vacuum, MTF rigs, integrating spheres);
• Build and verify optical, mechanical and electrical ground support equipment;
• Troubleshoot, report and resolve hardware issues; author and maintain build/test procedures, reports and cleanroom records;
• Prepare and manage build materials and cleanliness protocols;
• Capture detailed AIV documentation and lessons learned to support IP transfer and SatVu lab setup;
• Liaise with design teams to feedback producibility and testability observations;
• Work closely within a core project team.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in engineering, optics or equivalent;
• Practical AIV experience in low-volume, high-technology manufacturing; cleanroom experience essential;
• Experience handling optics and optical test hardware; operation of interferometers, CMMs, or thermal-vacuum chambers is desirable.

Desirable Skills and Experience

You don’t need to tick every box to apply - we value curiosity, learning, and the ability to add impact. These are some of the ways you may bring value:

• Detail-oriented, methodical, good with hands‑on instrumentation and procedures;
• Strong written skills for test documentation and transfer packs;
• Able to work autonomously and also integrate in multidisciplinary teams;
• Flexible, resilient under schedule pressure, and collaborative with SSTL staff;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team;
• A passion for technology and a desire to make a significant impact;
• Strong analytical abilities and communication skills - able to clearly articulate and present growth strategy, tactics, and results to senior executives and boards of investors;
• Adaptability, resilience, and a passion for driving positive change.