Founding Program Director - Joint Venture (New Space Missions)

• Title: Founding Program Director

• Location: Munich, Germany
• Type of Contract: Permanent
• Hiring model: On-site
• Salary: up to 160,000 EUR

About Us?

We are pioneering the future of satellite intelligence and defense. Backed by Rheinmetall’s proven defense expertise and ICEYE’s radar satellite innovation, our joint venture has the ambition of delivering one of the world's largest earth observation satellite constellations to defend Germany.

Our mission? Empower Europe’s security and defense with sovereign, persistent, and accurate space-based intelligence under any condition.

Join us to shape one of Europe’s most significant high-tech projects and make a real impact on defense and security for tomorrow.

The Mission of the Founding Program Director role:

Found and lead the JV’s flagship space program from concept to full mission delivery.

This is not a maintenance role - it is a founding mission. You will build the program, the systems, and the organizational backbone required to execute a complex multi-year satellite mission at unprecedented speed and quality.

You will work hand-in-hand with our leadership, ICEYE and Rheinmetall experts, and government stakeholders to establish a new standard for execution in Europe’s defense and space sector.

You are the architect of execution: defining how this new organization operates, delivers, and scales.

Requirements

Outcomes: 

• Program scope, schedule, and key milestones are defined, approved, and tracking to plan.
• An effective customer relationship that will support the successful program delivery is established and is being measured frequently.
• Core program team is recruited and operational, including technical, quality, and planning functions.
• Program governance, tools, workflows, interfaces and communication rhythms are set up and running smoothly, ensuring proactive risk, change, and dependency management.
• A clear roadmap is delivered outlining options for mission extensions, technology upgrades, and derivative products.

Competences:

• Mission Execution (Aerospace/Defense): Proven ability to deliver large, multi-year technical programs with tight requirements, high criticality, and complex stakeholder environments.
• JV / Venture Builder: Able to stand up new operational structures, processes, and teams from zero.
• Execution Systems & Governance: Designs lean, scalable execution systems for engineering coordination, risk management, and decision cadence.
• Stakeholder Management: Builds trust and alignment across government, partners, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Entrepreneurial Leadership: Drives speed and innovation while balancing rigor, compliance, and national-security-grade reliability.
• Cultural Builder: Creates a culture of ownership, collaboration, and high performance aligned with ICEYE, Rheinmetall, and the emerging JV identity.

RISS key competences

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

• Intellectual Firepower & Growth Mindset: Demonstrates intellectual agility and curiosity; rapidly comprehends complex information, connects ideas across domains, and continuously seeks to learn and improve.
• Passion & Work Ethic: Brings sustained motivation, resilience, and high personal standards to every challenge; maintains energy and drive under pressure.
• Ownership & Action: Assumes full accountability for results, acts decisively, and drives initiatives from idea to implementation; takes bold action rather than waiting for permission.
• Team Player: Works as part of a united team, engages constructively across functions and partners, and drives shared outcomes with humility and candor.
• Adaptability & Resilience: Operates effectively in ambiguity, maintains composure under stress, and adjusts quickly to change while learning from setbacks and sustaining forward momentum.

Benefits

What do we offer?

• The chance to be part of a brand-new New Space organization in Germany.
• A role where you have a chance to define the company’s DNA.
• Competitive compensation, professional growth, and the freedom to innovate.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

At RISS, we believe that diversity sparks innovation and drives us forward. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone’s unique perspectives and talents are not just welcomed, but celebrated.

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds - regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation. We will hire you based on  your qualifications, passion, expertise and ideas.

Apply now to start your RISS journey.