Control Engineer, Stratospheric Unmanned Electric Aircraft (Fixed Wing)

• Title: Control Engineer, Stratospheric Unmanned Electric Aircraft
• Department: HAPS
• Location: Valencia, Spain
• Type of Contract: Permanent
• Working Model: On-site
• Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO)

The Mission of the Control Engineer

As a Control Engineer in the HAPS program, you will be responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of various custom pieces of autopilot systems and control logic to manage the complex transition of an ultra-lightweight large wingspan aircraft from takeoff to transitioning through the atmosphere to twice the altitude of passenger jets, normal operations and landing. 

It will involve numerous challenges to manage a takeoff and separation from a launch carrier, aeroelastics management, protection of structures in the face of adverse weather, complex landing transitions, and mission profiles of Earth Observation tasks etc.

The span of control system development needs in an unmanned aircraft like HAPS is very wide, ranging from flight control and navigation to guidance and mission management, which will require collaboration across the entire team from structures to avionics to operations. You will be part of a growing and dedicated team facing an exciting challenge. 

You will get to work with a world-class team on a UAV project that has real impact and will set a new mark on aviation history. You will get to enjoy a transparent, open, and inclusive work culture. This is the beginning of an operations-dedicated team that’s intended to grow fast, thus, it offers substantial growth opportunities.

Who We Are

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. Designed for dual use, the platform also serves civil protection and commercial users for natural-catastrophe intelligence, insurance, maritime monitoring (including oil-spill detection), and finance, contributing to global security and community resilience.

ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, Japan, the UAE, Greece, 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.

Responsibilities

• Managing a complex balance of aeroelastics, adverse weather, structural needs and mission needs
• Designing and implementing advanced control algorithms for a novel UAV system, including flight control, navigation, and guidance systems
• Developing and optimizing state estimation algorithms for robust performance in various flight conditions
• Integrating sensors and actuators into the control architecture, ensuring seamless data flow and command execution
• Developing and/or improving hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) and software-in-the-loop (SITL) simulation systems for control system verification and validation
• Discovering and understanding airworthiness requirements pertaining to control system safety and reliability
• Developing rigorous verification procedures for control system performance and stability
• Participation in flight test campaigns and in-flight data analysis to fine-tune and troubleshoot control systems

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant work experience in control system design and implementation
• Strong theoretical background in classical and modern control theory
• Experience in building simulations, physics models and complex test cases to develop against
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used for control systems (e.g., C, C++, Python)
• Expertise in developing embedded software for real-time control applications

Preferred Qualifications

• A degree in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or similar with a focus on control systems.
• Experience with UAV-related control software and platforms (e.g., commercial autopilots, ArduPilot, PX4, terrestrial or marine robots)
• Familiarity with state estimation techniques
• Experience with robust control methods for dealing with uncertainties and disturbances
• Knowledge of flight dynamics and aerodynamics for fixed-wing or high-altitude aircraft
• Hardware debugging experience, including familiarity with tools such as the oscilloscope, logic analyzer, and protocol analyzer (SPI, CAN, Ethernet, or similar)
• Experience in developing control systems for stratospheric or long-endurance aircraft
• A proactive, can-do attitude and love for aerospace are expected
• Passion for solving complex problems in a team environment

Key Competencies

In addition to the requirements above, we evaluate candidates on these key qualities throughout the hiring process:

• Intellectual Firepower: Rapidly comprehends, structures and synthesizes complex information, draws accurate conclusions, and communicates them with clarity.
• Passion & Work Ethic: Brings sustained motivation, resilience, and high personal standards to every challenge.
• Ownership & Action: Assumes full accountability for outcomes, acting decisively, and ensuring commitments are delivered.
• Team Player: Works collaboratively across teams, contributing to shared success, and engaging in constructive debate.
• Integrity & Growth Mindset: Operates with transparency and humility, learns from setbacks, and actively seeks opportunities to grow.

Application Process

If selected to interview, the process is as follows:

• Talent Acquisition Interview
• Hiring Manager Interview
• Team Member Interview (technical)
• Case Study/Online Task 
• Behavioral Interview
• Offer Decision

Benefits

What We Offer at ICEYE

At ICEYE, you will join a diverse and highly engaged team united by the ambition to make the impossible possible. We know that we will succeed only through exceptional people in our team — which is why your growth, wellbeing, and success are a priority.

As a global scale-up, we combine speed and ambition with the opportunity to take real ownership from day one. You will benefit from continuous professional development, training opportunities, and a culture that values collaboration, curiosity, and integrity. ICEYE is a place where your contributions have a visible impact, and where we celebrate success together.

Benefits

• ICEYE offers amazing relocation packages to Valencia, Spain
• A job that matters in a dynamic Earth Observation environment with a scale-up approach
• An independent role with a supportive and diverse work environment
• Time for self-development, research, training, conferences, or certification schemes
• Health insurance
• Coffee, snacks, and sweets to accompany your daily space mission
• Creative, inspiring and collaborative office
• Competitive salary contingent on your experience level, and will be negotiated individually

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At ICEYE, we believe that diversity isn't just a buzzword – it's our greatest asset. 

We're committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every voice is not only heard but celebrated. We know that diverse perspectives breed innovation and creativity, which is why we actively seek out individuals from all walks of life, backgrounds, and experiences. 

Whatever your background, we want you to bring your authentic self to the table. Join us and be part of a team where differences are not only embraced but cherished, because together, we're stronger. 

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those who may need workplace adjustments. If you require any specific accommodations or assistance during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know.

Apply now to start your ICEYE journey, and help us continue to make the impossible possible together. Read more about working with us at iceye.com.