AOCS Engineer

ICEYE; United States; Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Occupational healthcare

Relocation support

Annual benefit budget

Phone subscription

Professional development & training

Hybrid work model

Job summary

ICEYE is seeking an AOCS Engineer to help manage attitude and orbit control for a fleet of Earth-observation satellites. You will engage in design, verification, and anomaly investigations across the AOCS domain, ensuring precise attitude control and optimal orbital performance.

Collaboration with satellite ops, radar, and mechanical teams is essential. You will work across a constellation of 40+ satellites, contributing from design through maintenance, and supporting the deployment of new AOCS

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of AOCS fundamentals including attitude and orbit control.
• Experience with sensors/actuators used in AOCS such as reaction wheels, magnetorquers, star trackers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, GNSS.
• Proficient in Python and Git; Familiarity with C++ or Matlab is advantageous.
• 2–4 years designing, operating, or testing AOCS equipment or space equipment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and improve on-orbit performance of AOCS components across the constellation.
• Lead anomaly investigations and verify AOCS procedures and maintenance.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams (satellite ops, radar, mechanical, electronics, manufacturing, product).
• Contribute to design decisions and lifecycle management of AOCS systems.

Skills

First-principles mindset

AOCS fundamentals

Python

C++

Matlab

Git

Education

BS/MS in Physics, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics

Tools

STK

GMAT

GNSS

Job description

• AOCS Engineer


• Spacecraft Analysis, Orbit and Attitude Control - Engineering


• Location: Espoo, Finland / Warsaw, Poland


• Reports to Engineering Lead, AOCS Hardware


• Permanent


• Hybrid


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

The Mission of the AOCS Engineer

You will bring your expertise and passion in topics related to attitude and orbit control for a fleet of tens of Earth-Observation satellites. You work in a multidisciplinary AOCS domain, which is responsible for developing and maintaining all systems directly involved in controlling the spacecraft attitude and orbit.

Your work will have direct impact on our constellation of 40+ satellites in orbit. You will be involved in the complete lifecycle of AOCS systems from design phases to maintenance of existing systems. By analyzing and improving on-orbit performance, defining verification procedures, and leading anomaly investigations, you will ensure our satellites maintain precise attitude control and optimal orbital performance, directly enabling the high-quality SAR imagery we deliver to our customers.

Who We Are

ICEYE delivers space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to governments and allied nations. This includes sovereign and turnkey ISR missions leveraging ICEYE’s world-leading synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology, as well as access to data from the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation. These capabilities enable partners 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, Japan, the 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.

Expected Outcomes

• AOCS Performance & System Design
  
  
  
  • Analyze and improve on-orbit performance of AOCS components across the constellation
  
  
  • Perform performance analyses and trade studies to evaluate different ADCS and propulsion hardware solutions
  
  
  • Lead market studies and designs for AOCS components and introduce new AOCS components into satellites following established processes
  
  
  
  



• Operational Reliability
  
  
  
  • Define, execute and maintain verification procedures for AOCS components
  
  
  • Lead or participate in AOCS anomaly investigations involving engineers from multiple engineering domains to understand root causes
  
  
  • Participate in definition, execution and maintenance of operational procedures related to AOCS
  
  
  
  



• Technology Development & Continuous Improvement
  
  
  
  • Propose, evaluate and implement process improvements that affect spacecraft constellation with 40+ satellites in orbit
  
  
  • Lead introduction of new AOCS equipment and/or design updates
  
  
  • Interface with other teams and departments (satellite operations, radar, mechanical, electronic, manufacturing, product)
  
  
  
  

Role-specific Competences

• Thinking from a first-principles mindset - your work will often involve resolving in-orbit anomalies, which you will need to tackle in a systematic manner to understand their root-cause and propose solutions to mitigate those in the future.


• Strong understanding of AOCS fundamentals: rigid body motion, differential equations, coordinate transformations, 3d geometry, feedback loops, state estimation. Basic understanding of orbital dynamics.


• Strong understanding of underlying principles of operation and failure modes of sensors and actuators used in AOCS: reaction wheels, magnetorquers, star trackers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, GNSS.


• Strong understanding of performance drivers of AOCS systems.


• Proven track record of owning cross-domain systems involving feedback control loops over their complete lifecycle including maintenance and operations.


• Demonstrated broad knowledge across multiple engineering disciplines including controls, mechanical and electronics. AOCS is an electromechanical system in the and requires broad perspective to understand it fully


• Proficiency in Python, C++ or Matlab.

Role-specific Competences

• BS/MS in Physics, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or similar field


• 2-4 years experience in designing, operating or testing AOCS equipment or space equipment in general


• Good understanding of astro-dynamics and fundamental principles of attitude determination and control


• Experience working with electronic laboratory hardware (power supplies, oscilloscopes, etc.)


• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills


• Working knowledge of Python and Git


• Preferred: Experience in multi-disciplinary environments (electrical, controls, mechanical, thermal)


• Preferred: Experience with libraries and/or software used in flight dynamics (e.g. STK, GMAT)


• Preferred: Experience working with GNSS


• Preferred: Experience with C++

Key Competences

In addition to the requirements above, we evaluate candidates on these key qualities throughout the hiring process:

1. Intellectual Firepower: Rapidly comprehends, structures and synthesizes complex information, draws accurate conclusions, and communicates them with clarity.



2. Passion & Work Ethic: Brings sustained motivation, resilience, and high personal standards to every challenge.



3. Ownership & Action: Assumes full accountability for outcomes, acting decisively, and ensuring commitments are delivered.



4. Team Player: Works collaboratively across teams, contributing to shared success, and engaging in constructive debate.



5. Integrity & Growth Mindset: Operates with transparency and humility, learns from setbacks, and actively seeks opportunities to grow.

Application Process

• (remote) Talent Acquisition Screening


• (remote) Hiring Manager interview


• (remote) Take-home technical task and panel interview


• (on-site) System thinking workshop(on-site) Behavioural interview to assess cultural fit

What We Offer at ICEYE

At ICEYE, you will join a diverse and highly engaged team united by the ambition to make the impossible possible. We know that we will succeed only through exceptional people in our team - which is why your growth, wellbeing, and success are a priority.

As a global scale-up, we combine speed and ambition with the opportunity to take real ownership from day one. You will benefit from continuous professional development, training opportunities, and a culture that values collaboration, curiosity, and integrity. ICEYE is a place where your contributions have a visible impact, and where we celebrate success together.

Benefits

• A job that matters in a dynamic Defence Technology and Earth Observation environment with a scale-up approach


• An independent role with a supportive and diverse work environment


• Occupational healthcare, occupational, and accident insurance


• A yearly benefit budget to spend as you wish (i.e. on sport, transport, bike benefit, wellness, lunch, etc.)


• Phone subscription with iPhone of choice


• Relocation support (i.e. flight tickets, accommodation, relocation agency support)


• Time for self-development, research, training, conferences, or certification schemes


• Inspiring and collaborating offices and silent workspaces enable you to focus

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At ICEYE, we believe that diversity isn't just a buzzword - it's our greatest asset.

We're committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every voice is not only heard but celebrated. We know that diverse perspectives breed innovation and creativity, which is why we actively seek out individuals from all walks of life, backgrounds, and experiences.

Whatever your background, we want you to bring your authentic self to the table. Join us and be part of a team where differences are not only embraced but cherished, because together, we're stronger.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those who may need workplace adjustments. If you require any specific accommodations or assistance during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know.