Flight Software Team Lead

ICEYE; United States; Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

ICEYE in Warsaw, Poland, is seeking a Flight Software Team Lead to build and lead a new team developing flight software for the Optical Payload. You’ll mentor engineers, set direction, and oversee software interfaces, telemetry, updates, and system services while collaborating with hardware, FPGA, and ground software teams.

The role is permanent with a hybrid work model. Ideal candidates have Linux-based embedded software experience and strong C/C++/Rust skills, plus a track record mentoring

Qualifications

• Experience developing software for Linux-based embedded systems.
• Strong programming skills in C, C++, or Rust.
• Experience mentoring, supporting, or leading software engineers.
• Ability to work across software, hardware, and system-level interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a new Flight Software team in Warsaw, setting direction and supporting team growth
• Mentor and guide engineers through feedback, planning, and hands-on technical leadership
• Develop and oversee payload flight software including hardware interfaces, telemetry, updates, and system services
• Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, FPGA, systems, ground software, test, AIT, and operations teams

Skills

Linux-based embedded software

C/C++/Rust

Mentoring/leading engineers

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Role highlights

• Flight Software Team Lead
• Location: Warsaw, Poland
• Department: Flight Software / Optical Payload
• Reports to: Director Flight Software
• Employment type: Permanent
• Workplace model: Hybrid
• Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO, where required)

Why this role matters

As a Flight Software Team Lead, you’ll build and lead a new team developing flight software for ICEYE’s Optical Payload, enabling reliable, high-performance data collection from space that supports mission-critical Earth Observation and ISR capabilities.

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 is headquartered in Finland and operates globally across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. We have more than 900 employees, united by a shared vision: improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation.

Your day-to-day responsibilities

• Build and lead a new Flight Software team in Warsaw, setting direction and supporting team growth
• Mentor and guide engineers through feedback, planning, and hands-on technical leadership
• Develop and oversee payload flight software including hardware interfaces, telemetry, updates, and system services
• Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, FPGA, systems, ground software, test, AIT, and operations teams

What we’re looking for

Must haves

• Experience developing software for Linux-based embedded systems
• Strong programming skills in C, C++, or Rust
• Experience mentoring, supporting, or leading software engineers
• Ability to work across software, hardware, and system-level interfaces

Nice to haves

• Experience with Python or shell scripting
• Background in high-reliability systems such as robotics, telecom, automotive, industrial automation, or defense
• Interest in building inclusive, collaborative engineering cultures

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 will be discussed in the first interview.

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 and we will do our best to help.