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 160000 EUR

About Us

We are pioneering the future of satellite intelligence and defense. Backed by Rheinmetalls proven defense expertise and ICEYEs radar satellite innovation our joint venture has the ambition of delivering one of the worlds largest earth observation satellite constellations to defend Germany.

Our mission Empower Europes security and defense with sovereign persistent and accurate space-based intelligence under any condition.

Join us to shape one of Europes 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 JVs 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 Europes defense and space sector.

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

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.

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 companys 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 everyones 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.

Required Experience:

Director