Senior Program Manager/Program Director

Job description

Role Overview:

• Position: Senior Program Manager/Program Director

• Location: Germany
• Department: Missions Line of Business
• Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Who are we?

ICEYE delivers space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to governments and allied nations.

By providing access to the world’s largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE enables users 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.

Designed for dual use, the platform also serves civil protection and commercial users for natural-catastrophe intelligence, insurance, maritime monitoring (including oil-spill detection), and finance, contributing to global security and community resilience.

ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, Australia, Japan, UAE, Greece, 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.

Why should you work for us?

ICEYE is at the cutting edge of new technology and we are continuing to build and operate our commercial constellation of SAR satellites.

Working with ICEYE, you will be part of making the impossible possible, whilst shaping the Earth Observation industry.

You will work with varied, diverse and engaged colleagues to further the ICEYE mission.

At ICEYE we realise that without great people we can not succeed, therefore you will be an integral, valued and appreciated colleague, with the ability to directly shape the vision and direction of the business. 

We actively support Continuous Professional Development, and will provide access to a range of avenues to allow you to succeed, including courses, training and attendance at conferences.

ICEYE is a place where your development, your growth and your success is a priority. 

Mission for this Role

Lead the successful delivery of assigned ICEYE’s Mission Line of Business programs, ensuring operational excellence, customer trust, and alignment with ICEYE’s strategic goals.

Expected Outcomes

What success looks like in this role:

• Program Delivery Excellence: Deliver all program milestones on time, within scope, and at the required quality level—meeting contractual requirements and internal standards.
• Customer Relationship Leadership: Build a high-trust relationship with customers and partner ecosystems, becoming ICEYE’s principal program face for assigned programs.
• Integrated Cross-Functional Execution: Align manufacturing, engineering, and support functions around shared deliverables, using ICEYE’s governance and reporting systems.
• Commercial Success: Ensure contract compliance and enable on-time revenue recognition.
  
  Monitor program financials and proactively manage commercial risks and scope changes.
• Cultural Fluency: Bridges cross-cultural dynamics between ICEYEs stakeholders, adapting communication and leadership styles appropriately.
• Stakeholder Clarity & Communication: Drive transparent reporting, own external/internal coordination, and ensure stakeholder expectations are well managed.
• Tool and Process Mastery: Maintain full fluency in ICEYE’s internal program delivery tools, templates, risk registers, dashboards, and documentation systems.

Key Competencies (Must-Haves)

• Intellectual firepower (Intelligence, Curiosity, Innovation): You will have high cognitive agility which enables you to ramp up fast, solve novel problems, and keep adding value as the business evolves
• Passion & work ethic (Drive & motivation, Enthusiasm, Persistence / Grit, High Standards): You will have sustained intrinsic motivation & resilience so that your performance correlates with top-quartile output over time
• Ownership & action (Willing to take risks, Responsibility, Follow-through & efficiency, Proactivity): As a high performer you take accountability & move on 70% of information, turning ideas into results
• Team player (Teamwork, Communication, Listening skills): You are a collaborative high performer that elevates everyone’s game
• Integrity and growth mindset (Honesty and integrity, Comfortable with ambiguity, Open to feedback, Willingness to grow in role): You are an ego-free, coachable talent that grows fast and continuously learns

Role-Specific Technical / Domain Competencies

• Program Delivery Leadership – End-to-end program ownership, from kick-off to customer acceptance.
• Contractual Execution – Managing delivery against SoWs, milestones, and formal reviews.
• Customer-Facing Capability – Leading structured customer interactions with clarity and credibility.
• Satellite System Knowledge – Understanding of space systems and ability to assess technical dependencies.
• Risk & Commercial Awareness – Identifying risks, managing scope, and understanding financial implications.

Requirements

Ideal Profile

• Experience level: 10+ years of experience in program management, systems engineering, or project delivery in aerospace, satellite, or complex technical domains.
• Education level: Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Engineering, Physics, Aerospace, or another technical field
• Relevant certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional) or PgMP (Program Management Professional) etc.
  
  preferred
• Language requirements: Fluent in English and German

Employment is subject to relevant checks, including SUPO.

Benefits

What we offer:

• A job that matters in a dynamic Earth Observation environment with a scale-up approach
• An independent role with a supportive and diverse work environment
• Time for self-development, research, training, conferences, or certification schemes
• The opportunity to work at the cutting edge of space technology in a fast paced rewarding, fun environment
• Working in New Space- it different, the norms are challenged and you can make a real difference if you have the drive and energy

Diversity & inclusion are core values at ICEYE.

We are passionate about building and sustaining inclusive and equitable working and learning environments for all staff.

We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver solutions.

Could this be the role for you?

Apply now to start your journey with ICEYE.

We are making the impossible possible together.

Required Skill Profession

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