Senior Operations Specialist

Job description

ROLE HIGHLIGHTS: - Role: Senior Operations Specialist - Department: HAPS - Location: Valencia, Spain - Working type: Hybrid - Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO, where required) THE MISSION OF THE SENIOR OPERATIONS SPECIALIST As Senior Operations Specialist on the HAPS program, you will be the driving force behind getting ICEYE's stratospheric electric aircraft safely and successfully into the sky. You will own the development of the full operations infrastructure — hardware, software, and procedures — as well as the planning and execution of flight test campaigns from the ground up. This means interfacing with aviation authorities to secure flight clearances, developing SORA-based safety assessments, operating the aircraft from the ground control station, and translating flight test results into actionable insights that feed back into the aircraft's development. You will sit at the crossroads of engineering and operations, contributing not just to how the aircraft flies, but to how it is built, tested, and continuously improved — helping establish an operations capability that will scale as the program grows.     WHO ARE WE? ICEYE delivers space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to governments and allied nations. This includes sovereign and turnkey ISR missions leveraging ICEYE's world-leading synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology, as well as access to data from the world's largest SAR satellite constellation. These capabilities enable partners to detect and respond to critical changes anywhere on Earth with unprecedented speed and accuracy – day or night and in any weather, supported by ultra high-resolution imagery and high-frequency revisits. As a trusted partner for defense, intelligence, security, and maritime domain awareness, ICEYE's near real-time data creates a tactical advantage for mission-critical operations. ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, Japan, the UAE, Greece, Germany, and the US. The company has more than 900 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation.   DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES: - Develop and assist ICEYE flight Operations - Plan & coordinate flight testing campaigns - Develop SORA-based and MET-based site/operational flight feasibility assessments tools - Interface with authorities/external entities for coordination & flight clearance - Operate unmanned aircraft (from GCS) - Assess and report flight testing results - Assist in aircraft and operations related documentation development - Assist with aircraft components integration & systems ground testing - Assist in aircraft and simulation systems development - Assist in aircraft prototyping and systems testing   REQUIREMENTS: MUST HAVE SKILLS - 5+ years of relevant experience in UAS testing and operation - Experience in aircraft prototyping & manufacturing, e.g. mechanical prototyping tools - Experience with safety analysis in the SORA framework - Good programming skills (C, C++, Python) - Ability to drive large vehicles or convoys (within limits of B license) - Good command of the English language, both oral and written   NICE TO HAVE SKILLS - Electronics/avionics engineering profile, being able to debug and/or implement quick SW/HW solutions - Good knowledge of meteorology sciences (turbulence formation, thermic activity, etc., and how to identify it). - Familiarity with Autopilot/GPS stack calibration - Familiarity with ground software like QGroundControl - Familiarity with lightweight composite airframes - EASA-valid remote pilot license up to specific category standard scenarios - Proactive can-do attitude and love for aerospace are expected APPLICATION PROCESS - Talent Acquisition Interview - Hiring Manager Interview - Technical Interview (onsite or virtual), including a Technical Challenge - Hiring Team Interview - Offer Decision WORKING AT ICEYE At ICEYE, you’ll join a diverse and highly engaged team united by the ambition to make the impossible possible. As a global scale-up, we combine speed and ambition with the opportunity to take real ownership from day one. Your growth, wellbeing, and success are a priority, with continuous professional development, training opportunities, and a culture where collaboration is how we win.   HOW WE WORK (OUR VALUES) Make the impossible possible: We set ambitious goals and stay calm under pressure. We bring grit, optimism, and ownership when things get hard, and we keep moving until we find a way. - Be curious: Go deep, ask questions, listen carefully, and think critically. Understand the “why” behind decisions. - See the big picture: Stay close to what’s happening across the company so you can make better decisions. Consider how your work affects others. - Drive effective teamwork: C