Career Spotlight: What It's Really Like to Be a Propulsion AIT Technician

Apurva Kawthalkar, Propulsion AIT Technician

Key Insights from Apurva:

• A Day in the Life: "My role begins as soon as manufacturing is completed. Our team handles specialised cleaning processes, quality inspection, and planning the assembly process with design and test engineers. We put together all components to make sub-assemblies and combine them into an integrated engine."
• Essential Skill: "The most useful hard skill is strong common sense. Tools I regularly use include fastening and torquing tools, quality inspection tools like calipers and micrometers, and testing tools such as leak detectors and electronic testers."
• Top Advice: "Don't be boxed into any one area. Be willing to explore other fields, industries, and ways of working. Seeing a concept go from design stage to a fully integrated physical component you can touch is incredibly rewarding."

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Can you describe the main responsibilities of a Propulsion AIT Technician? For our readers who might be confused, how is your role different from a Propulsion Design Engineer?

My main responsibilities are handling the Assembly, Integration & Testing of all the components, assemblies, and systems that will combine to form a propulsion system—a rocket engine.

My role begins as soon as manufacturing is completed. Our team takes over tasks such as specialised cleaning processes, quality inspection, and planning the assembly process with design engineers and test engineers. Afterwards, we put together all components to make sub-assemblies and combine sub-assemblies to make an integrated engine. All issues that can occur in this process need to be resolved in collaboration with other teams.

It is different from a design engineer in the sense that we don't design the components ourselves, but we work closely with designers as they use our feedback in their design process. We're the bridge between what's on paper and what becomes a physical, working engine.

A lot of our audience wants to work in space but prefers working with hardware over sitting at a desk. What are the top 3 hard skills or tools you use daily?

My role does have some desk and computer work, but the tools I regularly use would be:

1. Fastening, torquing tools and other workshop tools — essential for precise assembly work
2. Quality inspection tools — like calipers, micrometers, and other precision measurement instruments
3. Testing tools — such as leak detectors and electronic testers

But I would say the most useful hard skill would be strong common sense. Being able to think logically through problems and anticipate issues before they happen is invaluable in this line of work.

What was your specific career path to getting this role? Is this a job that requires a university degree, or are there apprenticeships and trade routes for people with mechanical backgrounds?

I had internships and student roles in the AIT field before, which meant I could smoothly transition into my current position. That prior experience gave me a solid foundation and understanding of what the role entails.

However, this isn't exclusively a degree-only path. People from trades such as aircraft mechanics or automobile engine mechanics are also perfectly suited for the role. The hands-on skills and mechanical intuition you develop in those fields translate directly to rocket engine assembly. If you've spent time working with your hands and understand how complex mechanical systems come together, you have a strong foundation for this career.

Test campaigns are usually the most intense part of the job. Can you describe the atmosphere during a test campaign? How do you and the team handle the pressure when things don't go according to plan?

Test campaigns are indeed busy as we need to hand over our assemblies in a rigged and secured fashion for transportation. Additionally, we need to make sure that we pack all the tools, spares, and supplies we need during testing—and one is always anxious about missing or forgetting something!

This time is filled with constant back and forth between design engineers, test engineers, and our AIT team to ensure a successful campaign where we hit all the milestones. The coordination required is intense, and clear communication becomes absolutely critical.

Luckily, I have team members who are very chill and can handle stressful situations in a calm manner. When things don't go according to plan, it comes down to on-the-spot problem solving. Having a team that doesn't panic under pressure makes all the difference—we focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems.

AIT roles require constant collaboration between different teams. What is the most important "soft skill" for bridging that gap and ensuring the engine is built correctly?

I think having good communication skills is important, but I also feel that having a jovial and cheerful demeanour makes working with people easier. It makes collaboration fun rather than a chore.

When you're working across multiple teams—design, test, manufacturing—tensions can run high, especially when deadlines are tight. Being someone who keeps the atmosphere light while still maintaining professionalism helps everyone work better together.

Add to that a thorough approach and attention to detail, which helps catch mistakes that we all make as humans. Nobody is perfect, and having team members who double-check work without being confrontational is essential for building flight-ready hardware.

For someone looking to apply for a "Space Technician" role in Europe, what should they put on their CV to stand out? Are there specific skills that hiring managers look for?

I feel it would help if someone applying for these roles would showcase their hands-on skills by mentioning projects they made or participation in student racing teams, rocket teams, and similar initiatives. These experiences demonstrate that you can work with hardware under pressure and as part of a team.

Specific skills that could help include:

• Pipe bending and flaring
• Fluid fitting
• Workshop skills (welding, machining, etc.)
• Ability to interpret technical drawings

If you've built something with your hands—whether it's a go-kart, a student rocket, or even restored an old engine—make sure that's prominently featured on your CV. Practical experience speaks volumes in this field.

What is the most rewarding moment you've had in your career so far? What advice would you give to someone who wants to work in the space industry but prefers working with their hands and hardware rather than purely on code or design?

I find that following a concept from design stage and seeing it as a fully integrated physical component that you can touch is very rewarding to me. There's something deeply satisfying about knowing that the engine sitting in front of you exists because you helped bring it together.

My advice would be not to be boxed in any one area. Be willing to explore other fields, industries, and ways of working. The skills you develop in automotive, aviation, or even traditional manufacturing can all translate to space. Don't limit yourself because you think the space industry only wants certain types of candidates.

If you prefer hardware over code, there's absolutely a place for you here. The space industry needs people who can turn designs into reality, who understand how things fit together, and who can solve problems when metal meets metal. Embrace your hands-on nature—it's an asset, not a limitation.

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Connect with the Expert

A huge thank you to Apurva for sharing his career journey and insights with our community. You can connect with him directly on LinkedIn.

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