Head of AOCS (Aerospace)

TL;DR

Head of AOCS (Aerospace): Leading the development and execution of Attitude and Orbit Control Systems across a spacecraft portfolio with an accent on system-level design, sensor integration, and in-orbit operations. Focus on building a high-performing distributed team and ensuring rigorous verification of pointing and stability requirements for next-generation data relay capabilities.

Location: Helsinki, Finland. Relocation support to Finland is provided.

Company

hirify.global transforms satellites into intelligent, software-defined interconnected platforms to improve mission efficiency and space data flow.

What you will do

• Lead end-to-end AOCS development across all missions, from concept and design through to in-orbit operations.
• Define and maintain robust pointing, stabilisation, and orbit control architectures.
• Own system-level AOCS design decisions, balancing performance and complexity across avionics, propulsion, and power domains.
• Oversee the selection, sizing, and integration of AOCS sensors and actuators, such as star trackers and IMUs.
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing, geographically distributed AOCS engineering team.
• Ensure rigorous verification and validation of AOCS designs at both subsystem and system levels.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in satellite design or related engineering roles.
• 5+ years of experience leading engineering teams with a track record of delivering flight hardware.
• Proven responsibility for AOCS on at least two medium to large spacecraft programmes that successfully reached orbit.
• Deep expertise in spacecraft dynamics, estimation, and control laws applied to operational systems.
• Experience supporting high accuracy pointing payloads (optical, RF, intersatellite links).
• Proven track record of delivering AOCS flight software implementations.

Culture & Benefits

• Challenging and rewarding environment within a fast-growing company.
• Supportive network of experts from both classic and new space industries.
• Practical benefits including lunch vouchers, occupational health care, and additional health insurance.
• Active company culture with events, parties, and team activities (runOrbit, climbOrbit, etc.).
• Full support for relocation and integration into Finnish society.