Production Team Lead

Role Highlights:

• Title: Production Team Lead

• Department: Global Manufacturing Organization

• Reports to: Head of MAITE, Optics

• Location: Lisbon, Portugal

• Type of Contract: Permanent

• Working model: On-site

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

Why this role matters:

As a Production Team Lead, you own the day-to-day execution of Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration and Testing activities in an early-stage production environment, where processes, teams, and operating routines are still being established and scaled. You will translate production plans and engineering requirements into safe, high-quality, efficient, and predictable execution. Building the structured production management system, operational discipline, and team capabilities required to scale ICEYE's spacecraft and optical payload production from the ground up.

This is a talent pool posting.

We are building our Lisbon manufacturing organisation ahead of site ramp-up. We expect this role to open formally in Q4 2026. Applying now registers your interest early and puts you at the front of the process when the req goes live.

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.

What you will do

• Own day-to-day MAIT execution for spacecraft manufacturing and optical payload integration, translating production plans into clear daily and weekly execution plans

• Lead, mentor, and develop the production team -- setting clear roles, performance standards, and building a culture of ownership, safety, and continuous improvement

• Establish and lead structured daily management routines (production meetings, visual management, performance tracking) to surface risks, blockers, and deviations early

• Own operational production readiness -- ensuring trained personnel, materials, tooling, and cleanroom environments are in place before new builds or major activities

• Drive continuous improvement using Lean tools (5S, Kaizen, standard work, Value Stream Mapping) to reduce waste and improve flow, cycle time, and productivity

• Ensure production activities comply with quality standards, driving root cause analysis and corrective action on non-conformances

• Maintain accurate use of MES, ERP, and production data systems to monitor performance and identify improvement opportunities

• Act as the primary cross-functional point of contact with AIT Engineering, Quality, Planning, Logistics, and Manufacturing Engineering during spacecraft builds and payload integration

What we’re looking for

Must haves:

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, assembly, integration, testing, or operations involving complex hardware

• Proven experience leading production, manufacturing, or technical operations teams

• Professional experience in aerospace, space, aircraft, defence, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments

• Experience supporting production ramp-up, new factory setup, or new production line introduction

• Experience with structured daily performance management and Lean manufacturing methodologies (5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, standard work, visual management)

• Experience working with complex hardware in cleanroom or controlled manufacturing environments

• Strong problem-solving skills with experience in structured root cause analysis

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with strong written and spoken English

Nice-to-haves:

• Experience with satellite assembly, integration, and testing

• Experience with optical payload integration or other high-precision hardware

• Experience with NPI/industrialisation activities or PFMEA, control plans, and process capability tools

• Experience working closely with engineering teams during new product introduction

Application Process

• Talent Acquisition interview

• Hiring manager interview

• Technical interview, including a technical challenge

• Hiring team + director-level interview

• Offer

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 dependant 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.