Role highlights:

• Role: Senior Mechanical Engineer, Spacecraft & MGSE

• Department: Optical Systems

• Location: Warsaw, Poland

• Reports to: Engineering Manager, Optical Systems

• Working type: Hybrid

• Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO, where required)

The Mission of the Senior Mechanical Engineer, Spacecraft & MGSE

As Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will join an early-stage tiger team tasked with developing ICEYE's next-generation optical satellite platform — taking the design from initial concept through to in-orbit validation. You will serve as a senior technical expert across the full mechanical lifecycle, with a particular focus on spacecraft payload and bus interface design as well as the mechanical ground support equipment (MGSE) needed to test, qualify, and prepare the satellite for launch. Working hands-on in CAD alongside the team and collaborating directly with manufacturers and subcontractors, you will own the quality and precision of every component and mechanism — ensuring the system is built to survive and perform in the demanding environment of space.

Who are we?

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. ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, Japan, the UAE, Greece, Germany, 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.

Day to day responsibilities:

• Be a one of the early-stage members of the team responsible for spacecraft systems lifecycle from the design phase up to in-orbit validation. The team will bring the design into full production, commissioning and operations of the imaging instrument, including all phases along the way - testing, qualification, verification and iterating on necessary steps.

• Be a senior technical expert ready to participate in design and optimization of the satellite payload/bus interfaces with additional focus on the MGSE from conceptualization through manufacturing, testing and qualification campaign of it. Due to the nature of the project and size of the founding “tiger team”, it’s expected to actively participate in the CAD and other engineering activities.

• Work with manufacturers of the components and subsystems to ensure the right quality, alignment and performance of delivered components and mechanisms.

Requirements:

Must have skills

• Expert knowledge and hands-on skills of mechanical CAD design, analysis and optimization including all phases of the project from the concept up to material and structural analysis.

• Familiarity with the material science and engineering being able to guide material selection and analysis for the space environment (outgassing, thermal cycling, thermoelastic effects).

• Familiarity with testing, especially TVAC and vibration testing and pre-launch qualification campaigns.

• Embracing the challenge, mindset of owning problems and solving them, capability of taking risks and leaning forward when needed. R&D style of learning by doing and iterating on the parts that require improvement.

• Experience in delivering design through suppliers - proven record of working directly together with manufacturers and subcontractors in order to get the design delivered to production, verified and validated.

• Experience with high-precision and accuracy mechanics.

• Familiarity with thermal and mechanical interface design assuring adjustable and high-precision coupling.

• Previous experience in the satellite and/or defense industry.

Nice to have skills

• Experience in QA and AIT of the designed components and mechanisms.

• Familiarity with Design for Assembly (DFA) practices.

• Experience in high-precision actuated (robotics, optical) systems is a plus.

• Experience with vacuum and cryogenic applications and materials used in the aerospace industry.

• Expert knowledge and experience in design methodologies used in optomechanical/optomechatronic systems, allowing for precise alignment and positioning. Proven track record of designs used in production assuring reliable and high-precision performance

Application process

• Talent Acquisition Interview

• Hiring Manager Interview

• Technical Interview (onsite or virtual), including a Technical Challenge

• Hiring Team Interview

• Offer Decision

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