Director of AI

Kuva Space is on a mission to solve the world's most pressing issues, such as climate change, food security, safety and security, by building the world's most extensive hyperspectral microsatellite constellation and developing AI-driven analytics services.

We deliver reliable and timely global insights and foresight that transform rich spaceborne data into actionable insights customers can use for efficient resource management, optimizing operations, and improving profitability sustainably.

Are you an experienced AI/ML leader with a strong track record of building excellent technical teams and delivering production-grade AI systems? Would you like to work with truly unique technology that addresses environmental challenges and real-world problems?

We are seeking a Director of AI to define and lead Kuva Space’s AI vision, architecture, strategy, and execution across hyperspectral Earth observation, geospatial intelligence, and autonomous sensing systems. You will be responsible for building advanced AI capabilities that transform complex multi-source satellite data into operational intelligence and differentiated customer value across commercial, institutional, security, and defense markets.

This is a strategic, hands-on, and deep-tech leadership role requiring exceptional technical depth in AI/ML, strong systems thinking, and the ability to bridge advanced research and scalable operational products. The role includes company-wide technical leadership for AI systems, including AI architecture, research direction, model strategy, and operational deployment. You will contribute directly to Kuva Space’s technology roadmap, future autonomous sensing capabilities, and long-term AI differentiation strategy.

You will be part of our management team and report to our CEO. You will work closely with engineering, product, satellite operations, mission, and commercial teams to shape Kuva Space’s long-term competitive advantage in AI-driven Earth observation. You can be based at our HQ in Espoo, Finland, or be fully remote. Fully remote employees should be within a maximum of 3 hours of the Eastern European timezone. This role will require occasional travel for customer meetings and industry events.

Key Responsibilities

Set the AI Direction

• Define and own Kuva Space’s AI vision, strategy, and roadmap in line with company goals, product direction, and market opportunities.

• Identify where AI can create the greatest impact across hyperspectral imagery, Earth observation analytics, geospatial intelligence, mission operations, onboard autonomy, and customer-facing products.

• Drive long-term AI capability development, including geospatial foundation models, onboard inference, edge AI, MLOps, scalable production systems, and data strategy.

• Lead strategic AI innovation through research initiatives, IP creation, scientific publications, and external partnerships.

• Stay ahead of developments in AI, remote sensing, geospatial analytics, computer vision, and autonomous systems, turning emerging technologies into a competitive advantage.
  

Lead Technical Excellence

• Lead the design, development, deployment, and operationalization of AI/ML solutions across Kuva Space’s technology stack.

• Oversee the development of advanced models and algorithms for hyperspectral data processing, image understanding, object and event detection, classification, anomaly detection, forecasting, sensor fusion, and temporal analytics.

• Make key architectural decisions around AI pipelines, model deployment, cloud and edge inference, MLOps, and scalable infrastructure.

• Build AI systems that perform under real-world constraints such as limited labeled data, orbital edge computing, bandwidth limitations, and near-real-time intelligence needs.

• Ensure AI systems are robust, reliable, explainable, secure, and ready for operational use.

• Help shape future autonomous sensing capabilities, including adaptive tasking, onboard filtering, edge analytics, and intelligent data prioritization.
  

Build and Lead the AI Organization

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team of AI scientists, engineers, researchers, and technical leaders.

• Create a culture of scientific rigor, innovation, accountability, and practical delivery.

• Define team structure, hiring plans, and capability development as the organization grows.

• Strengthen collaboration across AI, software, mission operations, satellite systems, product, and commercial teams.

• Act as a senior technical leader and trusted thought partner across the company.
  

Deliver Business Impact

• Establish scalable processes and standards for AI development, experimentation, deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement.

• Balance long-term research with productization to ensure AI investments translate into customer value and business results.

• Drive execution across multiple AI initiatives with strong prioritization, alignment, and delivery focus.

• Contribute to company-wide technology strategy, roadmap decisions, and investment priorities.

• Support secure, trustworthy, and responsible AI practices aligned with the expectations of institutional, security, and defense customers.

Requirements

• Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Remote Sensing, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related field preferred.

• Significant experience in senior AI/ML leadership roles, including building strong technical teams and delivering production-grade AI systems.

• Previous experience in hyperspectral imaging technology.

• Deep expertise in machine learning, computer vision, geospatial AI, remote sensing analytics, scientific computing, or adjacent fields.

• Proven experience developing AI systems in complex, data-intensive, or sensor-driven environments.

• Strong understanding of modern ML practices, model lifecycle management, scalable infrastructure, and production deployment.

• Ability to connect advanced technical capabilities with customer needs and commercial outcomes.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and collaborating across engineering, product, research, and business functions.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence both technical and executive audiences.

• Comfort operating in a fast-moving, ambitious deep-tech startup environment.

• Very fluent English language skills.

• You share the company mission of improving life on Earth through daily, space-borne hyperspectral imaging and AI!🌎 💚

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Earth observation, satellite systems, remote sensing, or geospatial intelligence.

• Understanding of spectral analytics, remote sensing data characteristics, or physics-informed AI.

• Experience in imagery analysis, sensor fusion, anomaly detection, forecasting, autonomous systems, or edge AI.

• Familiarity with defense, security, institutional, or government customer environments and operational requirements.

• Knowledge of cloud platforms, distributed computing, MLOps, and large-scale geospatial data pipelines.

• Track record of building AI organizations, research programs, or AI strategy in a growth-stage company.

• Experience contributing to patents, publications, or advanced research collaborations.

What do we offer?

At Kuva Space, we offer a stimulating and safe work environment that encourages growth, collaboration, and excellence. Constantly learning new things is the norm here! Our focus on space technology means you'll have the opportunity to learn more about satellites, space, data, and the Earth. If you get excited about space-themed lunch table discussions, Kuva Space is the community for you 🪐✨

As an employer, we prioritize the well-being of our employees, both physically and mentally. Our health care benefits are comprehensive, including dental benefits and short-term psychotherapy. We offer an annual sports, culture and transport benefit. And our team members regularly meet up for after-work activities 🧘🏽

If you do not live in Finland but wish to, we can offer assistance in the migration process and support with learning the Finnish language and culture ⛄

In addition, you will be part of a dynamic, fun, and highly skilled team! Our diverse team of international colleagues, with varying cultures, shares a passion for deep tech and making our Earth more sustainable. And we believe Finnish 'sisu' is a must-have mindset to overcome any challenges that come our way ⛄

Are you excited to create Kuva Space's AI vision for products that address vital real-world issues? Then we’d love to hear from you. Please send us your application by the 5th of August. We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis, so reach out to us soon.