Role highlights

Program Director UAE

Location: Abu Dhabi

Department: Missions

Reports to: VP, Missions Programme Management

Employment type: Permanent

Workplace model: Hybrid

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

Why this role matters

Deliver complex Satellite Mission programs end-to-end, ensuring customer success, on-time execution, and scalable delivery excellence.

You will ensure the full lifecycle of customer missions—from contract execution through delivery—acting as the central orchestrator across engineering, product, operations, and commercial teams. Your role is to ensure programs deliver against commitments while building strong, trusted customer relationships.

This role directly contributes to ICEYE’s ambition to become the leading provider of space-based ISR infrastructure by scaling reliable, high-impact mission delivery globally.

The role will be based in the UAE at the ICEYE facility. Travel to Espoo (Finland) and customer sites is 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

Customers experience consistent, high-trust partnerships, reflected in strong satisfaction, repeat business, and seamless program execution

Program plans provide clear alignment across stakeholders, enabling efficient use of resources, financial control, and on-time milestone achievement

Risks, dependencies, and escalations are proactively mitigated, minimizing disruption and ensuring continuous, reliable delivery

Cross-functional teams operate in a coordinated, outcome-driven manner, reducing bottlenecks and accelerating mission execution

Program management practices drive measurable improvements in delivery efficiency, scalability, and predictability across Missions

Stakeholders at all levels have timely, accurate visibility into program status, enabling informed decision-making and early intervention where needed

What we’re looking for

Must haves

5–10 years’ experience delivering complex, multi-stakeholder programs in advanced technology environments (e.g. space, defence, telecom, automotive, IT)

Strong customer-facing capability, including managing senior stakeholders and complex requirements

Proven leadership of cross-functional teams to deliver aligned outcomes

Expertise in end-to-end program management (planning, execution, governance across scope, schedule, budget, and risk)

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in uncertain environments

Excellent communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences

Degree in business, engineering, or a related field

Must have or be able to get UAE residence

Nice to haves

Experience in Earth Observation (EO), SAR, or remote sensing

Background in complex systems or product development environments

Experience working with government or defence customers

Knowledge of hardware, software, or embedded systems development

Advanced degree (Master’s) or relevant certifications (e.g. PMP, PgMP)

Application Process

Initial interview with Talent Attraction

Hiring Manager interview with VP Missions Program