Production Engineer

Wanna join the adventure? Own and structure the execution of satellite AIT production activities in a growing startup environment by combining strong hands‑on technical capability with tactical planning, floor management, and scalable process development.This role is critical in ensuring disciplined daily execution while building the production systems, infrastructure, and technician capability required for long‑term growth.About This RoleDeliver satellite AIT activities on schedule with controlled execution riskEstablish structured floor management and short‑term production planning processesImprove technician productivity and reduce avoidable reworkEnsure production and environmental test readiness with zero preventable delaysImplement scalable production systems, tools, and station setups to support growthStrengthen training structure and competency management for techniciansCore ResponsibilitiesAIT Execution Ownership & Technical LeadershipOwn daily execution of satellite assembly, integration, and test activitiesProvide hands‑on technical guidance and coaching to technicians when requiredEnsure proper execution of integration sequences, configuration control, and documentation disciplineAct as first‑line responder for production technical issues and anomaliesSupport testing campaigns (functional, performance, software, environmental...) with strong execution controlIdentify execution risks early and implement mitigation or recovery plansDirect satellite AIT experience is a strong advantage; equivalent high‑reliability aerospace or precision industry experience will also be considered.Tactical Planning & Floor ManagementManage daily and short‑term production planning and manpower allocationBalance technician workload based on priorities, station capacity, and schedule constraintsMonitor bottlenecks and drive recovery plans when deviations occurOptimize floor layout and workflow to improve efficiency and scalabilityProvide real‑time visibility of production status and risks to managementProduction Systems & Process DevelopmentIntroduce and improve floor management systems and execution control processesSupport creation, review, and continuous improvement of SOPs and Work InstructionsContribute to the development of structured AIT execution frameworks and production governanceDrive implementation of lean principles and continuous improvement initiativesBuild scalable production processes suitable for future program growthStation, Tooling & Infrastructure OwnershipDefine tooling, GSE, and station requirements for AIT activitiesSupport identification and procurement of tools and production equipmentEnsure production and test stations are operational, calibrated, and compliantContribute to the setup, improvement, and maintenance coordination of AIT stationsSupport infrastructure planning in collaboration with facilities and engineering teamsTechnician Leadership & Capability DevelopmentSupervise and support technicians across assembly, integration, and testing activitiesCoach technicians on technical execution, quality discipline, and documentation rigorSupport the development of structured training plans and competency matricesPromote a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous learning on the production floorCross‑Functional Operational IntegrationAct as an operational bridge between AIT, Manufacturing Engineering, Planning, Supply Chain, Facilities, and QualityCommunicate production risks and propose corrective or preventive actionsProvide structured reporting on manpower utilization, workload, and station readinessSupport readiness for major reviews (e.g., production readiness, test readiness)Must HavesBachelorʼs degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related field8–12 years of experience in aerospace, satellite manufacturing, or high‑reliability production environmentsStrong understanding of assembly, integration, and test execution logicExperience managing technicians and shop‑floor execution in cleanroom or controlled environmentsDemonstrated ability to implement or improve production processes and floor management systemsStrong tactical planning, manpower coordination, and problem‑solving capabilityExcellent communication skills and cross‑functional coordination abilityNice To HavesDirect experience in satellite AIT programsKnowledge of NASA/ECSS standards and space‑grade documentation disciplineExposure to environmental testing (thermal, vibration, vacuum)Experience in ERP/MES systems and production tracking toolsLean manufacturing or operations excellence exposureExperience working in a startup or scaling manufacturing environmentsOrbitworks' mission is to make space simple for organizations that want to deploy physical and virtual missions to space. Building on Loft Orbital's heritage, Orbitworks will be the first commercial firm in the United Arab Emirates to mass‑manufacture satellites. Orbitworks aims to manufacture tens of satellites annually and operates out of a 50,000‑sq