RF, Satellite Systems & Software Production Team Lead

ICEYE; Valencia; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

ICEYE in Valencia, Spain is seeking an RF, Satellite Systems & Software Team Lead to own final satellite verification. You’ll lead a multidisciplinary team through RF testing, anechoic chamber work, and onboard software loading in production, ensuring flight readiness for scale.

You’ll drive quality, configuration control, and traceability while developing scalable verification processes. This hands-on leadership role sits at the core of ICEYE’s production operations.

Qualifications

• Experience leading hands-on verification teams in a production setting.
• Strong RF background with knowledge of antennas, waveguides and RF integration flows.
• Familiarity with onboard software loading, validation and test automation.
• Proven ability to build scalable verification processes and maintain traceability.
• Awareness of ECSS and NASA‑STD quality requirements.

Responsibilities

• Own satellite-level verification post-integration, including functional and end-to-end checks.
• Lead onboard software loading, validation, and checkout during production.
• Direct RF testing and chamber characterization; maintain test benches and setups.
• Drive quality, traceability and compliance across the verification program.
• Develop scalable, repeatable processes; reduce tribal knowledge and rework.

Skills

RF

Satellite systems

Software production

Leadership

Verification

Anechoic chamber

Test automation

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Network analyzers

Power meters

Job description

Role Highlights

• RF, Satellite Systems & Software Production Team Lead

• Location: Valencia, Spain

• Department: Global Manufacturing Organisation

• Reports to: Maite Manager

• Employment type: Permanent

• Workplace model: Office

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

About the Role

We are looking for an RF, Satellite Systems & Software Team Lead to own the final verification of our satellites — the stage where an integrated spacecraft is proven to work.

Once a satellite has been integrated, your team takes over: full satellite-level verification (functional and end-to-end system checkout), RF testing and characterization in the anechoic chamber, and onboard software loading, validation, and checkout. You will lead a multidisciplinary team across RF, systems, and software, responsible for proving that every onboard system performs reliably before the satellite ships.

This is a hands‑on leadership role at the core of our production. You’ll spend time on the floor with your team, solving problems, improving processes, and delivering satellites at scale. We are rapidly scaling our production operations and require a leader who can build the systems and processes necessary to support this significant growth. In this role, you carry the ultimate responsibility for flight readiness: verifying that every component is perfectly integrated and engineered to survive the uncompromising environment of space.

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 Satellite Verification

• Own satellite-level verification once integration is complete — functional and end-to-end system checkout

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

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

Owning RF Test & Characterization

• Lead RF testing and characterization of subsystems and the full satellite in the anechoic chamber

• Own RF measurement setups using spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, power meters, etc.

• Ensure RF test benches and chamber setups are maintained, calibrated, and compliant

Owning Software in Production

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

• Maintain and improve test automation, scripts, and software‑supported verification flows

• Coordinate software‑related troubleshooting with AIT engineering

Driving Quality, Traceability & Compliance

• Own planning, execution, and reporting of system‑level functional tests and inspections

• Maintain configuration control, build discipline, and full traceability

• Ensure compliance with aerospace and RF quality standards (ECSS, NASA‑STD, etc.)

• Ensure active team participation in root cause analysis (led by AIT Engineering) by identifying key non‑conformances, ensuring critical issues are communicated, and driving the resolution of the most impactful non‑conformances for the production line.

Building Scalable, Repeatable Processes

• Develop and improve work instructions, test procedures, and checklists with AIT Engineering and Quality

• Turn unclear inputs into clear, usable verification processes; reduce tribal knowledge

• Drive throughput and reduce rework while protecting quality

Leading & Developing the Team

• Lead, coach, and grow a multidisciplinary team across RF, systems, and software

• Build a culture of ownership, accountability, and pride in the product

• Train and mentor on RF assembly/test best practices and fault diagnostics

Working Across Teams & Scaling

• Act as the bridge between verification and engineering (RF, systems, software, AIT)

• Collaborate with Quality, Planning, Supply Chain, and the other two production teams (Integration/Mechanical & Thermal; Electronics)

• Prepare verification for higher volumes; define and track KPIs

What We’re Looking For

You don’t need to tick every box, but strong candidates typically bring:

• Experience leading technical test/verification teams in a hands‑on environment

• Strong RF background — components, antennas, waveguides, RF integration flows, and complex RF system testing

• Experience with RF test tools (spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, power meters, anechoic chambers )

• Experience in functional and system‑level testing of complex systems

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

• Ability to read and interpret RF schematics, assembly drawings, and test procedures

• Working knowledge of ECSS / NASA‑STD quality and workmanship requirements

• A hands‑on mindset, strong cross‑functional collaboration, and continuous‑improvement focus

• Strong communication across engineers, technicians, and stakeholders

What Success Looks Like

• Every satellite is verified reliably, predictably, and to standard before it ships

• RF, system, 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 verification quality and traceability

• Verification keeps pace with ICEYE’s growth

Why This Role Is Interesting

• You own the moment of truth — proving the satellite works end‑to‑end

• You’ll bring RF, systems, and software verification together under one scope

• You’ll shape how verification is done, not just follow existing processes

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

Application Process

• Talent Acquisition Interview

• Hiring Manager General Interview

• Technical Interview, including a Technical Challenge

• Hiring Team Interview

• VP 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 dependent 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.