Lead optical ait engineer

Space Integration Lead - AIT Engineer

📍 Marseille, South of France (Hybrid) | Permanent | Full-Time

We are representing a well-established European technology group delivering complex instrumentation and mission systems across science, defense, and environmental sectors. With over 1,000 staff across Europe, the U.S., and Asia, this group is increasingly recognized as a key player in the space domain-particularly in the development of high-performance payloads for optical communication and Earth observation.

As part of their continued growth, they are hiring a Space Integration Lead AIT Engineer to take ownership of key optical system integration efforts across multiple spaceflight programs. This is a high-impact, hands-on role where your precision, planning, and leadership will be essential to assembling and qualifying mission-critical hardware destined for orbit.

What You'll Be Doing

You'll serve as a senior technical lead within the Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT) team, responsible for delivering complex payloads and optical systems to flight-ready status. Your work will span cleanroom integration, performance testing, team coordination, and troubleshooting-all while interfacing with engineering, QA, and customer stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include:

* Project Leadership - Own the planning, scheduling, and tracking of AIT activities for optical space systems

* Procedure Development - Write and refine detailed protocols for mechanical assembly, optical alignment, and validation

* Test Execution - Supervise and carry out integration campaigns including functional, environmental, and performance testing

* Issue Resolution - Lead root cause analysis and non-conformance management during campaign execution

* Documentation - Maintain test reports, traceability records, and technical certification packages

* Collaboration - Act as the bridge between optical designers, systems engineers, QA teams, and international project stakeholders

What We're Looking For
* 8+ years in AIT, optical system integration, or environmental testing roles in space, aerospace, or high-tech instrumentation

* Hands-on familiarity with cleanroom protocols, high-precision alignment, and optomechanical assembly

* Strong knowledge of ECSS or similar aerospace quality standards

* Excellent communication skills; fluent English required (French a plus)

* Ability to manage multiple integration campaigns in parallel and coordinate cross-discipline efforts

* Experience with advanced payloads including optical terminals, telescopes, or lasercom systems is highly desirable

Why This Role?
* Own Critical Hardware - You'll lead the integration of payloads that are core to mission success, including Earth observation and secure space communications

* Technical Challenge - Work with advanced tech such as free-space optics, adaptive optics, and next-gen lasercom

* Strategic Role - This is a key hire that directly addresses a known bottleneck in high-growth space programs

* European Collaboration - Engage with partners and customers across the EU, with occasional travel

* Room to Grow - The space unit is one of the fastest growing divisions in a stable, multi-sector group

* Positive Culture - Join a team that values technical curiosity, pragmatic problem-solving, and collaborative delivery

Practical Details
* Location: Marseille region (South of France), hybrid flexibility available

* Type: Full-time, permanent

* Travel: Moderate, to European partner sites as needed

* Language: English fluency required

* Visa/Relocation: Support available for strong international candidates

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.