Software Engineer, Unmanned Aircraft (Avionics, Firmware, Autopilot)

Role highlights:

Role: Software Engineer, Unmanned Aircraft (Avionics, Firmware, Autopilot)

Department: HAPS

Location: Valencia, Spain

Reports to: VP of Engineering, HAPS

Working type: Hybrid

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

The Mission of the Software Engineer, Unmanned Aircraft

As Software Engineer on the HAPS program, you will develop and maintain the custom software that keeps ICEYE's stratospheric electric aircraft flying - spanning the full stack from embedded avionics and command & control systems to simulation environments and ground-based tooling. You will integrate COTS and custom avionics components into a working UAV platform, build and improve hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop simulation systems, and participate directly in flight test campaigns - turning real-world data into software improvements that push the aircraft's capabilities forward.

Who are we?

ICEYE delivers space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to governments and allied nations. This includes sovereign and turnkey ISR missions leveraging ICEYE's world-leading synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology, as well as access to data from the world's largest SAR satellite constellation. These capabilities enable partners to detect and respond to critical changes anywhere on Earth with unprecedented speed and accuracy – day or night and in any weather, supported by ultra high-resolution imagery and high-frequency revisits.

As a trusted partner for defense, intelligence, security, and maritime domain awareness, ICEYE's near real-time data creates a tactical advantage for mission-critical operations. ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, Japan, the UAE, Greece, Germany, and the US. The company has more than 900 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation.

Day to day responsibilities:

Designing and implementing software solutions for a novel UAV system

Integration of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) and custom designed avionics components into a working UAV platform

Development and implementation of Command & Control segment for a very particular UAV system

Development and/or improvement of hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) and software-in-the-loop (SITL) simulation systems

Discover and understanding of airworthiness requirements

Understanding operational needs and developing solutions to improve operations

Development of verification procedures

Participation in flight test campaigns and in-flight data analysis

Requirements:

Must have skills

5+ years of relevant work experience

Good programming skills (C, C++, Python)

Knowledge of various communication protocols (e.g., CAN, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, UART) for inter-component communication

Expertise in developing embedded software and in embedded communication protocols

Hands-on experience with product deployment and debugging

Nice to have skills

A degree in Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Robotics, or similar

Experience with high-reliability electronics design for harsh environments

Familiarity with industry standards for electronics design and testing

Simulation development skills for electronic systems (e.g., SPICE, MATLAB/Simulink)

Experience with smart systems that are networked as cloud-linked fleets with telemetry

Passion for solving complex problems in a team environment

A proactive, can-do attitude and love for aerospace are expected

Application process

Talent Acquisition Interview

Hiring Manager Interview

Technical Interview (onsite or virtual), including a Technical Challenge

Hiring Team Interview

Offer Decision

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.

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.