Head of System Engineering (Satellite Communications)

Location: Helsinki, Finland; hybrid. Relocation support is available for integration into Finnish society.

Company

hirify.global develops software-defined, interconnected satellite platforms for secure communications and space-based data flows.

What you will do

• Lead end-to-end systems engineering for spacecraft and ground segments, maintaining a unified architectural vision.
• Define technical direction and make system-level architectural decisions across multiple programs.
• Build, mentor, and lead a distributed systems engineering team.
• Own requirements integrity from customer needs through system, subsystem, and verification levels.
• Manage system budgets covering mass, power, data rate, performance, and margins throughout the lifecycle.
• Coordinate systems engineering across payload, AOCS, propulsion, flight software, AIT, and operations.

Requirements

• Leadership experience in systems engineering teams for multiple spacecraft programs that reached orbit.
• Full lifecycle expertise from early design through in-orbit validation, including long-lifetime LEO and GEO missions.
• Applied experience with ECSS-E-ST-10C, related ECSS standards, and the NASA Systems Engineering Handbook SP-6105.
• Experience leading system-level V&V and IV&V activities, satellite-level testing, and validation.
• Expertise in trade-offs, feasibility studies, architectural decisions, and translating customer and operational needs into system requirements.
• Strong communication skills across engineering teams, management, and external stakeholders, with a production-oriented focus on scalability and delivery.

Culture & Benefits

• Inclusive and collaborative environment focused on innovation, humility, curiosity, equality, and diversity.
• Opportunity to work on software-enabled satellites and secure space communications.
• Benefits include lunch vouchers, events, occupational health care, and additional health insurance.
• Team activities include running, climbing, ping pong, and board games.
• Relocation and integration support for Finnish society.