Senior Electric Propulsion Engineer

Job Description

• Senior Electric Propulsion Engineer
• Spacecraft Analysis, Orbit and Attitude Control - Engineering
• Location: Espoo, Finland
• Reports to Engineering Lead, AOCS Hardware
• Permanent
• Hybrid
• Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO)

The Mission of the Senior Electric Propulsion Engineer

You will bring your expertise in electric propulsion to shape the future of in-space mobility for ICEYE’s Earth-Observation satellite fleet. As a senior member of the AOCS Hardware team, you will play a central role in the design, integration, qualification and flight support of ICEYE’s Hall Effect Thruster (HET) propulsion systems and their supporting subsystems.

You will own the engineering and maturation of propulsion peripheral systems (including FCU, feed and tank systems, PPUs, valves, cabling and associated electronics), ensuring robust performance, testability and production readiness across flight programs. Working closely across disciplines and with external partners, you will lead activities from early concept and trade-offs through qualification, production and on-orbit operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead subsystem architecture, preliminary design and performance trade-offs for HET propulsion systems, considering mission, spacecraft and operational constraints.
• Define requirements, interfaces and verification strategies for propulsion subsystems, ensuring seamless integration with avionics, mechanical, thermal and GNC systems.
• Perform analytical modeling and simulation of HET behavior, including plasma/beam physics, plume effects, thermal interactions and spacecraft contamination considerations.
• Own on-ground and in-flight characterization and validation of propulsion performance (thrust, specific impulse, efficiency, plume interactions, erosion and lifetime) across functional, environmental and lifetime test campaigns.
• Design, specify and operate required ground test facilities and infrastructure, including vacuum systems, feed/power systems, diagnostics and safety controls.
• Define qualification, acceptance and production-readiness criteria, driving the transition of matured subsystems into repeatable flight builds with robust test and inspection flows.
• Monitor on-orbit propulsion performance, lead anomaly investigations and feed lessons learned back into design and production improvements.
• Manage technical interfaces with suppliers, partners and research institutions, ensuring strong documentation and regulatory/qualification compliance.

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.

Role-specific Competences

• MSc or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Plasma Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 6+ years of experience with electric propulsion systems (preferably Hall Effect Thrusters) across design, testing or operations.
• Strong foundation in plasma physics, electric propulsion modeling and spacecraft system integration.
• Experience designing or evaluating propulsion power systems and interfaces (including PPUs and high-voltage architectures).
• Proficiency with analytical and numerical tools for plasma, thermal or fluid simulations (e.g., COMSOL, ANSYS, SPIS, MATLAB).
• Hands-on experience with propulsion laboratory testing, plasma diagnostics and high-voltage instrumentation, including safe operation of vacuum and contamination-controlled environments.
• Ability to work effectively across mechanical, avionics, GNC and systems disciplines, with strong communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading qualification or flight-certification test campaigns for propulsion subsystems.
• Familiarity with high-voltage design, thermal vacuum testing, lifetime/erosion testing and spacecraft contamination control.
• Proficiency in Python and Git for data analysis or tooling; C/C++ experience for collaboration with flight software teams is a plus.
• Experience managing suppliers and translating R&D hardware into production-ready, flight-qualified designs and documentation.

Key Competences

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

• Intellectual Firepower: Rapidly comprehends, structures and synthesizes complex information, draws accurate conclusions, and communicates them with clarity.
• Passion & Work Ethic: Brings sustained motivation, resilience, and high personal standards to every challenge.
• Ownership & Action: Assumes full accountability for outcomes, acting decisively, and ensuring commitments are delivered.
• Team Player: Works collaboratively across teams, contributing to shared success, and engaging in constructive debate.
• Integrity & Growth Mindset: Operates with transparency and humility, learns from setbacks, and actively seeks opportunities to grow.

Application Process

1. 30 min Talent Acquisition screening (online)

   1. Where? Online
   2. Who? TA partner

2. 1-hour Hiring Manager Interview

   1. Where? Online
   2. Who? Melina K.

3. Technical assessment workshop

   1. Where? On-site
   2. Who? Jakub L, Melina K, Neha C, Jakub K
   3. How? Preparation instruction to be sent 1 week before visit. Workshop to be performed on-site.

4. Director/VP interview and Meet The Team (2 sessions)

   1. Where? On-site
   2. Who?  Jakub K, Erkko A. / AOCS Hardware

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.

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.