Engineering Lead, Orbit Control

Role Highlights

🔹Title: Engineering Lead, Orbit Control

🔹Location: Helsinki (On-site)

🔹Type of Contract: Permanent

🔹Team: AOCS Engineering Team

Who are we?

ICEYE is the global leader in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology, revolutionizing Earth observation with real-time, all-weather, day-and-night imaging. As the owner and operator of the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation, we provide critical insights that empower industries like maritime, disaster management, insurance, and finance to make informed decisions.

Headquartered in Finland, with a presence in five international locations, our diverse team of 600+ experts from nearly 60 countries shares a bold mission: to enhance life on Earth by delivering reliable, data-driven solutions. At ICEYE, we foster a culture of curiosity, innovation, and collaboration, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space technology to solve the world’s toughest challenges.

Why Join ICEYE?

At ICEYE, we’re not just launching satellites, we’re redefining what’s possible with SAR technology. Join a team of passionate innovators solving real-world challenges and making a tangible impact. We foster a dynamic and inclusive environment where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your contributions truly matter. With continuous learning opportunities, cutting-edge projects, and collaboration with industry-leading experts, you'll have the chance to grow, innovate, and shape the future of Earth Observation.

Why you will Love this role?
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Engineering Lead, Orbit Control to oversee a dedicated team of flight dynamics and software engineers responsible for maintaining the orbits of a cutting-edge constellation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites. This role is pivotal in ensuring the long-term success and operational efficiency of the largest commercial SAR constellation on Earth and involves working on the topics like repeat ground-track, orbital-tube control and formation flying.

As the Engineering Lead, you will combine technical expertise, leadership skills, and strategic thinking to guide your team in optimizing satellite operations, enhancing software tools, and addressing on-orbit challenges. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including mission planning, ground systems, and satellite operations, to achieve mission goals.

What will you do in this role?

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of flight dynamics and software engineers.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative culture, encouraging professional growth and continuous learning.
• Manage team workloads, project priorities, and performance evaluations.
• Oversee the development and execution of orbit maintenance strategies, including station-keeping, collision avoidance, and orbit insertion.
• Analyze satellite performance and provide recommendations for orbit adjustments or corrections.
• Guide the design, development, and deployment of software tools for orbit analysis, maneuver planning, and automation of routine operations.
• Participate in design and code reviews 
• Ensure robustness, scalability, and accuracy of software solutions supporting orbit control functions.
• Partner with mission operations, payload teams, and ground systems engineers to align orbit control activities with mission requirements.
• Communicate progress, challenges, and opportunities to stakeholders at all levels, including executive leadership.

What will you need to be successful in this role?

• Educational Background:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical field.
• Advanced degrees or specialized certifications in flight dynamics, satellite operations, or related disciplines are a plus.

• Experience:
• Demonstrated experience developing flight dynamics systems used to control satellites (or ideally satellite constellations).
• 10+ years of experience in satellite flight dynamics, orbit control, or related fields.
• Proven track record of leading small teams or projects in a technical domain.
• Hands-on experience with orbit determination and/or control activities for an actual space mission is required.
• Experience working with continuous integration and deployment of software systems is highly desired.

• Technical Skills:
• In-depth understanding of orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, and satellite operations, especially including techniques to plan and execute low-thrust maneuvers.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, or similar.
• Proficiency in modern software development tools: git, CICD systems, Kubernetes is desired

• Leadership & Communication:
• Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Our Commitment To You

When you apply to a role at ICEYE, we commit to responding to your initial application within 5 working days, if not sooner. When you are contacted by the Talent Partner managing the role, they will be your key point of contact throughout the interview and assessment process. 

We commit to ensuring that you are kept updated about the status of your application, and that any questions you have are answered as soon as possible.

Don't hesitate to apply, even if you don't tick all the boxes, your passion and potential are just as important to us!