Head of Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration and Testing (MAITE)

Role highlights:

• Head of Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration and Testing (MAITE), Spain
• Location: Valencia, Spain
• Department: Global Manufacturing Organization
• Reports to: SVP of Global Manufacturing
• Employment Type: Permanent
• Workplace model: On-site
• Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO, where required)

Why this role matters:

Build and scale a world-class satellite manufacturing operation in Valencia that reliably turns advanced engineering into flight-ready satellites. Lead teams, facilities, and processes so every subsystem and satellite is built safely, tested thoroughly, and delivered on time, every time. Enable ICEYE’s global missions by making high-quality, repeatable satellite production a competitive advantage.

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, manage, and lead the Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration and Testing teams responsible for satellite assembly, integration, and testing activities
• Oversee mechanical, electrical, and system-level assembly processes to ensure compliance with ICEYE’s production and quality standards.
• Plan and optimize facility layouts and lead expansion or modification projects to support capacity growth and new satellite models.
• Manage and develop multidisciplinary teams, including Facility managers, Stock managers, AIT Engineers, Production Technicians, and Smart Manufacturing engineers.
• Ensure new personnel are trained effectively to support manufacturing operations
• Manage production schedules and ensure Satellite subsystems and systems progress through manufacturing and testing phases on time.
• Work directly with engineering, configuration management, and supply chain teams to plan, resource and execute manufacturing plans for satellite hardware
• Work closely with the quality assurance and integration teams across multiple missions to provide the required hardware before the defined deadlines
• Assist in managing inventory of manufacturing equipment, tools and consumables
• Ensure the team is following all appropriate ICEYE procedures, including lab policies, quality policies, safety policies, etc
• Continuously look for opportunities to improve processes, equipment and work environment. Promote and maintain a positive work environment and culture of ownership
• Drive a strong focus on safety to achieve excellent safety performance with the team
• Plan and execute local testing campaigns, ensuring performance, reliability, and safety criteria are met.
• Manage AIT resources, schedules, and priorities to meet production targets.
• Review and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including assembly procedures, test plans, results, and non-conformity reports.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues in collaboration with central engineering teams.
• Continuously improve local AIT processes to enhance efficiency, quality, and throughput.
  

Requirements

What we’re looking for

Must haves:

• 8+ years experience in manufacturing / assembly / integration / testing of components in the space industry
• Experience in leading teams (line management), including technicians + engineers in a production/AIT environment
• Strong understanding of end-to-end satellite production flow
• You have a strong grasp of lean manufacturing principles, and your approach to work is deeply influenced by its practical applications.
• You have been involved in all phases of manufacturing and have seen the early bootstrapping phases of manufacturing to large scale optimization phases.
• You possess extensive experience in quality management across all stages of manufacturing processes, spanning from supplier quality to final product quality. You've witnessed the evolution from initial phase quality methodologies to a more refined and mature approach over time.
• As an individual, you exude high energy and influence, possessing the ability to not only inspire others to embrace change but also to actively lead and propel it forward.
• You possess numerous instances of successfully driving significant changes in manufacturing processes and development. Ideally, you also have experiences of failures, providing valuable learning opportunities. These changes may encompass technical process enhancements, organizational restructuring, and other initiatives aimed at removing barriers to achieving our desired impact.
• Your communication style is adaptable, allowing you to effectively engage with technicians as well as C-level executives
• Fluent in English; ability to work in an international, fast-paced environment.

Application Process

• Talent Acquisition Interview
• Hiring Manager General Interview
• Technical Interview (onsite or virtual), including a Technical Challenge
• Hiring Team Interview
• Leadership & Hiring Team 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.

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.

Apply now to start your ICEYE journey, and help us continue to make the impossible possible together. Read more about ICEYE and working with us at iceye.com.