Senior Operations Specialist (Solar Stratospheric Aircraft Mission Planning)

The role

You will plan the flight paths, timing, and weather monitoring for solar-powered stratospheric aircraft. You will also support flight test campaigns, ground control operations, and the development of operational tools and procedures.

What you will do

• Build and maintain the operational meteorological picture before and during flight
• Identify suitable launch, flight and recovery windows
• Develop and maintain the mission plan including route, altitude, speed profile and timing
• Assess predicted cut-down and debris impact zones
• Maintain readiness for degraded operations and return-to-home mission profiles
• Monitor aircraft progress and coordinate with flight crew and engineering teams
• Contribute to the planning, preparation and execution of flight test campaigns
• Take on crew positions or ground control station duties as required
• Analyse flight data and translate findings into improvements for aircraft and procedures
• Develop and maintain operational procedures, checklists, and documentation

Required qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in UAS or aircraft testing and operations
• Good knowledge of meteorology and the ability to interpret forecast models, synoptic charts and upper-air data
• Experience in flight or mission planning under weather and airspace constraints
• Understanding of aircraft performance and how weather affects flight safety and endurance
• Clear communication and ability to work as part of a flight crew
• Ability to drive large vehicles or convoys (within limits of B license)
• Good command of the English language, both oral and written

Nice to have

• Programming or scripting skills for data analysis and tooling (e.g. Python; C/C++)
• Aviation meteorology qualification, or experience as a forecaster or weather briefer for flight operations
• Hands-on experience with radiosonde launches, lidar or other atmospheric measurement systems
• Experience with airspace management and coordination with ATC
• Experience with trajectory, cut-down or debris impact modelling
• Experience with solar-powered, electric or long-endurance aircraft, or with high-altitude platforms and balloons
• Experience with safety analysis in the SORA framework
• Familiarity with GIS tools, autopilot mission planning and ground software like QGroundControl
• EASA-valid remote pilot license up to specific category standard scenarios

Benefits

• Continuous professional development
• Training opportunities

Before you apply

• Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO, where required)
• Technical Interview includes a Technical Challenge

About the company

ICEYE delivers space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to governments and allied nations using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology. The company has more than 900 employees and operates internationally.