Systems and Software Team Lead

Role highlights:

• Systems and Software Team Lead

• Location: Espoo, Finland

• Department: Global Manufacturing Organisation

• Employment type: Permanent

• Workplace model: Office

• Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO, where required)
  

Why this role matters:

We are looking for a Systems and Software Team Lead to own systems and software production and satellite-level testing for ICEYE's SAR satellites, from production integration through to proof that every onboard system performs reliably before a satellite ships.

Your team is responsible for onboard software loading, validation, and checkout during production, and full satellite-level functional and end-to-end system checkout, including RF testing in the anechoic chamber as part of that satellite-level test campaign. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technicians across systems and software, and carry the ultimate responsibility for flight readiness on the systems and software side of the build.

This is a hands-on leadership role at the core of production. You'll spend time on the floor with your team, troubleshooting, unblocking issues, and improving processes, while working alongside the Integration and Mechanical team leads to keep the overall satellite build on schedule and to the highest quality standards. ICEYE's production volumes are scaling significantly, and this role is central to building the systems, tooling, and team needed to support that growth.

Who We Are

ICEYE is the world leader in sovereign intelligence from space. We deliver persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth.

ICEYE owns the world's largest and most advanced SAR (synthetic aperture radar) satellite constellation. To our customers we provide intelligence with unmatched quality, latency and revisit times, in any weather, day or night. To governments who choose to operate their own constellation we provide this proven capability as a sovereign system.

ICEYE-built constellations serve customers in defence and intelligence, environmental monitoring, insurance and emergency management. We enable fast decisions that contribute to a safer future.

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

Leading Systems & Software Production

• Own systems and software production for ICEYE's SAR satellites, ensuring mission readiness from integration through launch

• Plan, coordinate, and execute satellite build stages across production, from initial integration through flight readiness

• Own end-to-end production flows for onboard software, avionics, and SAR payload system integration

• Be hands-on: lead troubleshooting, unblock issues, keep production momentum

Owning Satellite-Level Verification

• Drive execution of system-level functional testing, verification, and acceptance for SAR flight units, once integration is complete

• Prove that all onboard systems (avionics, power, software) perform reliably in full configuration

• Own planning, execution, and reporting of system-level functional tests and inspections, including RF testing of the full satellite in the anechoic chamber

• Ensure anechoic chamber test setups are properly scheduled, maintained, and executed as part of the satellite-level test flow

Owning Software in Production

• Own onboard software loading, validation, and checkout during production and verification

• Maintain and improve test automation, scripts, and software-supported verification flows with keeping supporting stakeholders in loop.

• Ensure robustness of SAR mission software, including payload control, data handling, and spacecraft operations

Driving Quality, Traceability & Compliance

• Maintain configuration control, build discipline, and full traceability

• Ensure compliance with aerospace quality standards

• Manage technical risks, anomalies, and non-conformances through root cause analysis and corrective action, identifying and driving resolution of the issues most critical to the production line

Building Scalable, Repeatable Processes

• Define and continuously improve scalable production workflows, work instructions, test procedures, and checklists together with AIT Engineering and Quality

• Turn unclear inputs into clear, usable verification processes, reducing reliance on tribal knowledge

• Drive throughput and reduce rework while protecting quality, as production volumes scale

Leading & Developing the Team

• Lead, coach, and grow a multidisciplinary team across systems and software, including satellite-level test execution

• Mentor and lead the team, fostering operational excellence, accountability, and a high-reliability spaceflight culture

• Train and mentor on systems and software test best practices and fault diagnostics, including anechoic chamber test execution

Working Across Teams & Scaling

• Act as the primary technical interface between AIT engineers, engineering, production, and mission operations for SAR missions

• Coordinate closely with the Integration and Mechanical team leads to ensure a unified, on-schedule satellite build

• Prepare verification and production processes for higher volumes; define and track KPIs

What we’re looking for

Must haves:

• Strong leadership experience, with the ability to manage and guide a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technicians, fostering collaboration and growth

• Proven expertise in systems and/or software integration for complex hardware, ideally in satellite, aerospace, or a similarly regulated high-reliability environment

• In-depth knowledge of onboard software, avionics, and payload systems, and how they interact with the broader satellite build

• Comfort with software in test: flight software loading/validation, test automation, and scripting

• Strong background in root cause analysis, anomaly management, and non-conformance resolution

• Familiarity with satellite-level test methods, including exposure to RF/anechoic chamber testing (spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, power meters)

• Excellent organizational and planning skills, able to coordinate across multiple technical disciplines and manage competing priorities

• Effective communicator, able to convey technical updates clearly to engineers, technicians, and senior management, including C-level executives

What Success Looks Like

• Every satellite's systems and software performance is verified reliably, predictably, and to standard before it ships, including its RF/anechoic chamber test results

• Systems and software verification processes are clear, structured, and scalable

• Problems are isolated and solved at the root, not patched

• The team takes full ownership of production and verification quality and traceability

• Production and verification throughput keep pace with ICEYE's growth

Why This Role Is Interesting

• You bring systems and software production and verification together under one scope, including the satellite's final anechoic chamber test

• You own the moment of truth: proving that every satellite works end-to-end before it ships

• You'll shape how production and verification are done, not just follow existing processes

• You'll work at the intersection of engineering and production, where your decisions have immediate impact

Application Process

• Talent Acquisition Interview

• Hiring Manager General Interview

• Technical Interview, including a Technical Challenge

• Hiring Team Interview

• Director Interview

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.

Base salary range for this position is depends on experience, and will be negotiated individually.

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.