Operations Program Manager, MAITE Finland

Job description

ROLE HIGHLIGHTS: - (Senior) Operations Program Manager, MAITE Finland - Location: Espoo, Finland - Department: Global Manufacturing Organisation - Reports to: Director of MAITE - Employment type: Permanent - Workplace model: Office - Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO, where required) WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS: ICEYE is looking for an Operations Program Manager, MAITE Finland to serve as a key strategic partner to the Director of Space Missions and ensure the smooth and effective operation of the MAITE organization. This is a unique, high-trust role that combines technical depth, operational orchestration, and strategic support in one of the most complex and fast-moving satellite manufacturing environments in the world. The MAITE organization — Manufacturing and AIT — is responsible for the assembly, integration, testing, and delivery of ICEYE's satellites. With over 100 people across six pillars (AIT Engineering, Smart Manufacturing, Production, Stock Management, Facility Management, and Project Management), the organization operates at high pace and requires constant alignment across teams, functions, and leadership. As the Operations Program Manager, MAITE Finland, you will be the force that keeps this machine running when the Director is occupied, unavailable, or needs a trusted counterpart to extend their reach. This is not an administrative role. You will be expected to understand satellite systems at a technical level, lead meetings on behalf of the Director, drive cross-functional improvement projects, and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. You operate through delegated authority and influence — not a direct reporting line — and your impact will be felt across the entire MAITE organization. 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 Director Coverage & Continuity - Ensure full continuity of the MAITE organization during the Director's absences, holidays, or schedule conflicts — leading the MAITE organization, attending critical meetings, and ensuring continuity of decisions and priorities. - Represent the Director in technical meetings (production reviews, PRRs, major issue escalations, cross-functional syncs) when they cannot attend, ensuring the right outcomes are achieved and followed up. - Build sufficient technical and organizational knowledge to step in on any topic the Director would normally handle — from production floor issues to senior leadership discussions. MAITE Team Lead Meeting Coordination - Co-own the weekly MAITE Team Lead meeting: prepare the agenda with the Director, lead the meeting when the Director is absent, take notes, capture decisions, and track action items to closure. - Ensure every meeting produces clear outcomes — decisions are documented, owners are assigned, and follow-through is verified in subsequent sessions. Project & Initiative Management - Own and drive cross-functional improvement projects on behalf of the Director — including (but not limited to) the MES implementation across MAITE production. - Identify, structure, and manage projects that require central coordination and leadership attention but currently lack a dedicated owner. - Report regularly to the Director on project status, risks, and decisions needed — ensuring the Director is always informed without needing to be involved in every detail. Organizational Rhythm & Offsite Planning - Support the planning and execution of quarterly MAITE offsites — including agenda design, logistics, pre-work preparation, and follow-up. - Help maintain the organizational cadence across MAITE: ensuring key rituals (team syncs, reviews, planning sessions) are structured, documented, and productive. MAITE Organizational Tracking & Visibility - Own and maintain a clear, up-to-date picture of the overall progress of MAITE as a unit — across all six pillars — including key milestones, open risks, blockers, and team health. - Ensure the Director always has a consolidated view of what is happening across the organization, without needing to chase individual team leads for status updates. - Develop and maintain simple tracking mechanisms (dashboards, status reports, or equivalent) that give leadership and the team shared visibility on priorities and progress. Director Bandwidth Enablement - Proactively identify situations where the Director's attention is needed and prepare them with the right context — so that when the Director is in a meeting, decision, or conversation, they are fully prepared. - Absorb coordination load from the Director: follow up on open items, consolidate updates from team leads, and surface risks or blockers before they become problems. - This role does NOT cover personal calendar management, email handling, or administrative scheduling — the Director self-manages those. WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR MUST HAVES: - Technical depth in satellite systems, spacecraft integration, or AIT — sufficient to credibly represent the Director in engineering and production discussions and to quickly understand the challenges the MAITE teams face. - 8+ years of experience in aerospace, space systems, or high-reliability manufacturing environments — with a track record of operating in complex, cross-functional organizations. - Proven experience managing projects or initiatives independently — from scoping to execution to reporting — without requiring constant direction. - Strong meeting facilitation and communication skills — able to lead a room of experienced engineers and team leads, drive alignment, and capture decisions clearly. - Exceptional organizational ability — the kind of person who notices what is falling through the cracks and acts on it without being asked. - High emotional intelligence and interpersonal trust — this role requires working with all levels of the organization, from technicians on the floor to the VP of Global Manufacturing. - Fluent in English; Finnish or other European languages are a plus but not required. - Comfortable in a fast-paced, high-change environment — ICEYE moves quickly and this role must move with it. APPLICATION PROCESS - Talent Screening - Hiring Manager Interview - Peer Interview / Task - SVP 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. 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 http://iceye.com.