Engineering Satellite Build Lead

Job description

ROLE HIGHLIGHTS - Title: Engineering Satellite Build Lead - Location: Valencia, Spain - Department: Space Systems Testing Team, Engineering - Reports to: Testing Team Lead - Employment type: Permanent - Workplace model: Hybrid per company policy (up to 2 days/week remote); in practice, this hands-on, technical-managerial role requires being onsite at our Valencia office most of the time - Employment is subject to applicable security screening WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS You own the end-to-end build, integration, testing and delivery of the developmental satellites, starting with early preparation and alignment with designers, procurement and operations teams, through the Qualification Model (QM) and Flight Model (FM). You plan the AIT timeline, lead the build team, and keep build documentation, configuration tracking and lessons learned flowing back to designers, so every future unit is faster and easier to build. This position sits within the Testing Team. It is important to note that this is developmental, prototype satellite work rather than repeat-production integration: requirements are not yet frozen, designs evolve frequently, and the Lead is expected to resolve novel problems rather than execute a fixed procedure. WHO WE ARE ICEYE delivers space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to governments and allied nations, including sovereign and turnkey ISR missions built on ICEYE's world-leading synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology, alongside access to data from the world's largest SAR satellite constellation. These capabilities let partners detect and respond to critical changes anywhere on Earth, day or night and in any weather, with ultra high-resolution imagery and high-frequency revisits. As a trusted partner for defence, intelligence, security and maritime domain awareness, ICEYE's near real-time data creates a tactical advantage for mission-critical operations. Founded and headquartered in Finland, ICEYE operates globally with over 1000 employees across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. YOUR DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES Build, integration and delivery ownership (EC, Engineering Configuration) - Own end-to-end build, integration, testing and delivery of the R&D satellite system, across QM and FM units - Plan all AIT activities and the AIT timeline for R&D build - Manage the build team and actively participate in build execution - Own build documentation, including build records, configuration tracking (parts traceability) and high-level build procedures - Document lessons learned and give structured feedback to designers to improve build efficiency and testability QM and FM build and system-level testing - Plan and own the QM system build and its system qualification activities - Own system-level integration and testing of FM satellites, verifying functional performance, capturing any required modifications, and maintaining close traceability to support knowledge transfer to the production line - Define system-level test blocks and flows with technical owners, and plan, schedule and coordinate execution of functional tests, SLC, Mock Ops and other required system-level test activities (FM) - Across both QM and FM: accountable for test execution readiness and progress, but do not define test cases, test scenarios or test acceptance criteria (owned by Test Engineering / relevant technical owners) Scope boundaries - Does not own unit-level testing or qualification (owned by project leads / technical owners) - Does not own documentation updates resulting from future design changes (owned by designers); this role's build documentation, including Production documentation, reflects as-built execution only - Does not define system functional requirements or system test definitions, including test cases, scenarios or acceptance criteria (owned by systems engineers / test engineers) WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR Must haves: - Broad, hands-on technical depth across mechanical, electronics, RF and software domains, with deep expertise in at least one area and the ability to engage effectively and make sound decisions in the others - Proven track record planning and executing hardware build, integration and test (AIT) campaigns for complex electromechanical or electronic systems, ideally satellites or other high-reliability aerospace/defence hardware - Strong understanding of configuration management and parts traceability, and comfort owning build documentation and build records end to end - Experience managing a build or AIT team, including day-to-day task planning and hands-on participation in build execution - Ability to plan and hold a realistic AIT schedule across build, qualification (QM) and flight (FM) units, coordinating with test engineering, and systems engineering - Systematic, first-principles approach to build and integration problems, comfortable working across mechanical, electrical and software interfaces - Clear written and verbal communication, able to turn build lessons learned into structured, actionable feedback for designers - Maintain strong interpersonal connections and a collaborative spirit, bringing a steady presence to fast-paced or high-pressure environments. - Excel at building positive workplace relationships and navigating high-stress situations with composure and a collaborative mindset. Nice to haves: - Experience with SIGINT, SAR or other RF/payload satellite systems - Prior people management experience, or clear readiness to grow into a team lead role - Familiarity with system-level test activities such as functional tests, SLC (System Level Checks) or Mock Ops GROWTH PATH This role starts hands-on. In the first phase, you'll share the responsibilities described above with the Testing Team Lead while you build context on our systems, processes and team. As you grow into the role, you'll take it on more independently, owning AIT planning, build execution and team management end to end. Over time, the role is expected to evolve toward team leadership, potentially leading the build team directly. Even so, you'll stay hands-on with build execution and technical problem-solving rather than moving fully into management. APPLICATION PROCESS 1. Talent Acquisition screening 2. Hiring Manager interview 3. Take-home task and panel interview 4. (on-site) Technical / systems discussion with the SIGINT Testing Team 5. (on-site) Behavioural interview to assess cultural fit 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: Create psychological safety, invite different perspectives and build inclusive teams. There are no bad questions. - Act as one team: We win together. We match tasks to the right owner and stay agile as priorities shift. - Have fun: What we do matters, and it should be enjoyable. Celebrate progress, take pride in results and share the wins. Benefits Our benefits are designed to support your health and wellbeing, at work and beyond. We keep improving them based on employee feedback, and offerings vary by location. Talent Acquisition will confirm what applies for this role and location during the process. Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion We want ICEYE to be a place where people can be themselves and do great work. Different backgrounds and perspectives make us stronger, which is why we work to create an environment where people feel included, respected and able to speak up. Whatever your background, we want you to bring your authentic self to the table. We're committed to fair, inclusive hiring and equal opportunity. Everyone is welcome to apply. If you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, tell us, we'll do our best to help. Apply now to start your ICEYE journey, and help us continue to make the impossible possible together. Read more about ICEYE and working with us at iceye.com http://iceye.com.