Program Director - Germany
Role highlights:
Program Director - Germany
Location: Germany (regular travel is expected) - we can provide relocation support
Department: Missions
Reports to: VP Missions Program
Employment type: Permanent
Workplace model: Hybrid
Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO, where required)
Why this role matters:
Define and lead ICEYE’s Missions delivery capability in Germany, driving strategic customer success, scalable program execution, and long-term mission growth across defense and intelligence customers.
You will own the full lifecycle of customer missions-from contract strategy through delivery and renewal-serving as the senior accountable leader across engineering, product, operations, and commercial teams. You will set the standard for how ICEYE delivers sovereign and turnkey ISR missions, building the model, the team, and the customer relationships that underpin repeatable mission success.
This role is central to ICEYE’s ambition to become the world’s leading provider of space-based ISR infrastructure. You will shape the Missions function in the region, influence how ICEYE engages at the highest levels of government, and contribute to the strategic and commercial direction of the business.
The role is based in Germany with regular travel to Espoo (Finland) and to customer sites across the region as required.
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
Satellite Mission programs are delivered predictably on schedule, within budget, and meeting or exceeding agreed performance and quality targets, with the Director accountable for program-level health and risk posture.
ICEYE establishes and sustains trusted, senior-level partnerships with German defense and intelligence customers, reflected in strong satisfaction scores, program renewals, and expansion into new mission areas.
A scalable Missions delivery model is established in Germany - with the team structure, processes, tooling, and KPIs required to grow reliably as the customer base expands.
Commercial opportunities across renewal, expansion, and new mission areas are proactively identified, with the Director aligning signals and pursuit strategies with Sales and Product teams.
Strategic risks, dependencies, and customer escalations are owned and resolved at the Director level, ensuring continuous delivery and protecting the ICEYE relationship at all stakeholder levels.
Program management practices drive measurable improvements in delivery efficiency, scalability, and predictability across the German programs.
Stakeholders at all levels - from technical users to C-level sponsors - have timely, accurate visibility into program status, enabling informed decision-making and early intervention where needed.
What we’re looking for
Must haves:
Strategic thinking and customer engagement experience, working at multiple levels of customer organizations - from technical users to C-level sponsors - while maximizing customer value through win-win solutions.
Experience of successfully building, leading, and scaling a customer engagement model, team, processes, tooling, and KPIs in a recurring B2B business; balancing people leadership, process discipline, and cross-functional collaboration.
Commercial acumen to identify and pursue renewal and expansion opportunities, feeding signals and aligning with Sales and Product teams.
10+ years’ experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder programs in advanced technology environments (e.g. space, defense, telecommunications, or national security sectors).
Demonstrated track record of operating at Director or equivalent level, owning program portfolios and accountability for customer outcomes.
Proven experience building and leading high-performing teams in international, matrixed organizations.
Expertise in end-to-end program governance, planning, financial control, risk, and performance management at scale.
Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive decisions in high-stakes, time-pressured environments.
Exceptional communication and executive presence; credible with senior government, defense, and industry stakeholders.
Degree in business, engineering, or a related field.
You speak fluent German and English.
Must have or be able to obtain suitable security clearance in Germany.
Nice to haves:
Experience in Earth Observation (EO), SAR, or remote sensing.
Background in sovereign or government-owned satellite missions.
Experience working with German/European defense and intelligence customers.
Knowledge of hardware, software, or embedded systems development in mission-critical environments.
Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) or relevant certifications (e.g. PgMP, PMI, or defense program management qualifications).
Application Process
Initial interview with Talent Attraction
Hiring Manager interview with VP Missions Program
Case interview
Interview with CEO Germany
Final interview with SVP Missions
References
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.