Head of AIT

Head of Satellite AIT | Space Systems & Industrial Operations

📍 Tres Cantos, Madrid 

At Morgan Philips, we are partnering with our client Thales Alenia Space, a global leader in the space industry, to recruit a Head of Satellite AIT who will lead the Assembly, Integration and Test department and play a critical role in the successful delivery of advanced satellite programmes.

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an experienced space professional with a strong background in satellite AIT/AIV, industrial operations and team management.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for the people, capabilities, facilities and operational performance required to assemble, integrate, verify and test complex satellite systems, ensuring compliance with demanding quality, cost, schedule and technical performance objectives.

The Opportunity

As Head of Satellite AIT, you will lead and develop a highly specialised technical team responsible for the assembly, integration and testing of satellites.

You will oversee the complete AIT lifecycle, from integration planning and operational readiness through functional verification and environmental test campaigns.

Working closely with Engineering, Programme Management, Quality, Product Assurance, Supply Chain, suppliers and external partners, you will ensure that AIT activities are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with programme requirements.

The position offers significant visibility across the organisation and direct influence over the industrial performance, technical readiness and delivery of critical space programmes.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership

• Lead, organise and develop the Satellite AIT department.
• Define resource, capability and skills requirements in line with current and future programme needs.
• Allocate resources across projects, balancing operational priorities, workloads and critical milestones.
• Establish clear objectives and performance expectations for the team.
• Develop technical expertise, leadership capabilities and succession plans within the department.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety and continuous improvement.

Satellite AIT Operations

• Oversee satellite assembly, mechanical and electrical integration, functional verification and test activities.
• Lead the planning and execution of environmental test campaigns, including thermal vacuum, vibration, acoustic and electromagnetic compatibility testing, as applicable.
• Ensure operational readiness of teams, procedures, tools, ground support equipment and test facilities.
• Monitor AIT progress, identify critical dependencies and resolve operational or technical constraints.
• Ensure rigorous preparation and execution of integration and test activities in controlled environments.
• Coordinate the management, maintenance and optimisation of AIT facilities and test resources.

Programme Delivery

• Ensure achievement of AIT milestones within agreed quality, cost, schedule and performance targets.
• Align departmental priorities and resources with satellite programme requirements.
• Anticipate capacity constraints, technical risks and schedule conflicts.
• Establish recovery and mitigation plans when deviations arise.
• Provide clear visibility of AIT status, risks, resources and performance to programme and senior management.
• Support delivery reviews, readiness reviews and key programme decision gates.

Technical and Quality Leadership

• Ensure compliance with approved AIT procedures, technical standards and quality requirements.
• Maintain strict configuration control, traceability and documentation throughout the integration and test lifecycle.
• Oversee the identification, investigation and resolution of non-conformances and test anomalies.
• Ensure lessons learned are captured and incorporated into future programmes.
• Promote disciplined problem-solving, root-cause analysis and risk management.
• Guarantee that all AIT activities meet the demanding reliability and product assurance standards of the space industry.

Industrial Performance and Continuous Improvement

• Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement across AIT activities.
• Optimise integration flows, test processes, facilities and resource utilisation.
• Introduce performance indicators to monitor efficiency, quality, schedule adherence and operational capacity.
• Reduce recurring non-conformances, testing inefficiencies and avoidable programme delays.
• Standardise best practices and strengthen consistency across satellite programmes.
• Contribute to investment decisions related to AIT facilities, equipment and future capabilities.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with Engineering, Programme Management, Quality, Product Assurance and Supply Chain teams.
• Coordinate activities with suppliers, test centres and external industrial partners.
• Ensure effective communication and alignment between technical and operational stakeholders.
• Support customer and institutional reviews related to satellite integration and verification.
• Facilitate timely decision-making and resolution of complex cross-functional issues.

Your Background

We are looking for an accomplished leader with the technical credibility and operational experience required to manage complex satellite integration and test environments.

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics, Telecommunications Engineering or another relevant technical discipline.
• Proven experience in satellite AIT or AIV activities within the space industry.
• Strong understanding of satellite assembly, mechanical and electrical integration, functional verification and environmental testing.
• Knowledge of satellite test campaigns and associated facilities, equipment and operational constraints.
• Demonstrated experience leading specialised technical teams and managing industrial operations.
• Strong track record delivering complex programmes against demanding quality, cost and schedule objectives.
• Experience managing technical risks, test anomalies, non-conformances and recovery plans.
• Ability to operate effectively in complex, international and highly regulated environments.
• Fluent English is essential. Spanish and French would be valuable assets.

What Will Make You Successful

• Strong and credible leadership in highly technical environments.
• Ability to combine strategic direction with operational involvement.
• Sound judgement when managing technical, quality and delivery risks.
• Excellent resource planning and organisational capabilities.
• Confidence leading multidisciplinary teams through critical programme milestones.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Structured problem-solving and decision-making under pressure.
• Commitment to product assurance, operational safety and technical excellence.
• Continuous improvement and industrial performance mindset.
• High level of accountability, resilience and results orientation.

Why Join Thales Alenia Space?

Thales Alenia Space is a global space manufacturer delivering advanced solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructure.

Joining the company means contributing directly to complex satellite programmes that combine advanced technology, demanding engineering and international collaboration.

The successful candidate will benefit from:

• A strategic leadership position within a global space organisation.
• Direct responsibility for a highly specialised Satellite AIT department.
• Exposure to advanced satellite technologies and international programmes.
• A flexible and smart working environment.
• Competitive compensation and benefits.
• Continuous learning and leadership development opportunities.
• A collaborative, innovative and multicultural working environment.
• Long-term career development within a rapidly evolving industry.
• The opportunity to shape future AIT capabilities, processes and operational performance.

At Thales Alenia Space, space is more than a destination. It is an opportunity to connect, protect, explore and contribute to a more sustainable future on Earth.

If you are ready to lead the teams and operations behind the successful integration and testing of advanced satellite systems, we would like to hear from you.

Great journeys start here. Apply now.

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