Ian Stammers Talent Advisory Limited
Head of AI&T
Los Angeles, California•Full-time
$185,000 - $235,000 annually
$185,000 - $235,000 annually
About the Job
Build the Team. Build the Capability. Build the Future.
Some engineers dream of launching satellites. Others dream of building the organisation that makes it possible.
This opportunity is for the latter.
Imagine joining one of the fastest-growing companies in the global space sector at the very beginning of its US expansion.
A brand-new satellite manufacturing facility is being established in Los Angeles, and we're looking for an exceptional leader to create and lead its Assembly, Integration & Test (AI&T) capability from the ground up.
This isn't about stepping into an established organisation.
It's about creating one.
The Opportunity:
As Head of AI&T, you'll be responsible for building every aspect of the AI&T function within the new US manufacturing facility.
You'll recruit and develop your own team, establish world-class assembly, integration and environmental test processes, introduce best practices and work closely with engineering and production to ensure every spacecraft leaving the facility meets the highest standards of quality and reliability.
You'll play a key role in transforming engineering designs into flight-ready satellites destined for orbit.
Few opportunities offer this level of ownership.
What You'll Be Responsible For:
You'll provide technical and operational leadership across the complete Assembly, Integration & Test function, including:
- Building and leading a high-performing AI&T organisation.
- Recruiting, mentoring and developing engineers and technicians.
- Establishing AI&T processes, procedures and work instructions.
- Leading spacecraft assembly, integration, functional testing and environmental test activities.
- Working closely with spacecraft design, manufacturing, quality and programme management teams.
- Driving continuous improvement across safety, quality, efficiency and delivery.
- Developing production readiness plans as manufacturing scales.
- Managing schedules, resources and technical risk.
- Ensuring every spacecraft is delivered to the highest quality standards.
Who We're Looking For:
You've probably spent your career turning spacecraft from engineering drawings into flight hardware.
You understand what it takes to build reliable satellites, lead multidisciplinary engineering teams and solve complex technical challenges under demanding schedules.
You may currently be working within:
- Satellite Manufacturing.
- Spacecraft Integration & Test.
- Aerospace Manufacturing.
- Defence.
- High-Reliability Engineering.
Experience leading AI&T teams within satellite or spacecraft programmes will be highly regarded.
You'll also be comfortable working within cleanroom environments, collaborating across multiple engineering disciplines and helping build a culture focused on quality, innovation and continuous improvement.
Why This Role Is Different:
Most senior AI&T positions involve inheriting an existing team.
This one doesn't.
You'll have the opportunity to shape the department from day one.
You'll influence recruitment, organisational structure, manufacturing strategy, testing capability, engineering standards and operational excellence.
The decisions you make during the first year will help define how this facility operates for years to come.
Opportunities like this are exceptionally rare.
Why Join?
You'll become part of one of the space industry's most exciting growth stories.
As the company continues its international expansion, you'll have the opportunity to:
- Build and lead an entirely new AI&T organisation.
- Work on cutting-edge satellite programmes.
- Influence the design of manufacturing and test capability.
- Help establish a flagship US production facility.
- Work alongside an ambitious international leadership team.
- Leave a lasting legacy in one of the fastest-growing companies in the sector.
- Salary of $185,000 - $235,000 subject to experience.