Program Manager

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 Program Manager with a strong track record of managing international institutional projects? Would you like to work in a fast-paced, deep-tech, and space environment?

We are seeking a Program Manager to lead the planning, coordination, governance, and execution of complex strategic programs across Kuva Space. You will work across engineering, satellite development, operations, AI, data, product, finance, procurement, and commercial teams to ensure key initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, within budget, and aligned with company priorities and customer commitments. Strong networks and operational understanding of the European Space Agency (ESA) are key to success in this role, and we value networks and understanding of other governmental and funding institutions such as the European Commission, EIC, NASA, and NATO.

This is an impactful leadership role for someone who thrives in a complex, deep-tech environment and can manage multidisciplinary technical programs, institutional projects, and large international consortiums. 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 stakeholder meetings and industry events.

Key Responsibilities

Cross-Functional Program and People Management

• Manage a complex, multi-partner, international consortium project portfolio involving industrial, institutional, research, and commercial stakeholders.

• Define program scope, goals, timelines, milestones, dependencies, risks, and resource needs across the organization; provide clear visibility into progress and priorities; and ensure the program goals are met efficiently, on time, and to a high standard.

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of Project Managers over time.

• Lead and support proposal preparation, bid coordination, work package definition, budgeting, resource planning, and the program transition from the proposal phase to execution.

• Contribute to strategic planning and prioritization of company-wide initiatives and institutional opportunities.

• Continuously improve program management practices and ways of working and introduce structure and operational discipline while remaining flexible in a dynamic startup and space-tech environment.

Stakeholder Management

• Provide clear, concise, and regular updates to leadership, customers, institutional stakeholders, consortium partners, and key internal teams regarding program status, milestones, risks, financials, contractual matters, and decision points.

• Be proactive towards stakeholders in affecting future funding programs and their content.

• Support customer-facing or partner-related program execution where needed, ensuring commitments are tracked and delivered.

Financial & Contractual Management

• Monitor program financial performance and support alignment between technical execution and contractual obligations.

• Coordinate contractual deliverables, reporting requirements, reviews, audits, and compliance activities related to ESA, EU, and other international funding mechanisms.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering, business, science, space technologies, or a related field. A PhD is considered an advantage.

• 7–10 years of experience in program or project management roles within highly technical international environments.

• Strong networks in and operational understanding of the European Space Agency (ESA).

• Solid experience coordinating large multidisciplinary and international consortia involving industrial, institutional, commercial, and research partners.

• Proven experience in proposal preparation, bid coordination, work package management, budgeting, financial oversight, and contractual delivery.

• Strong understanding of program governance, scheduling, budgeting, resource planning, risk management, reporting, and execution tracking.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively across technical, commercial, operational, and executive audiences.

• Ability to understand complex technical concepts sufficiently to coordinate effectively with engineering, AI, satellite operations, product, and data teams.

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.

• Proactive, execution-oriented, and solution-driven mindset with strong problem-solving capability.

• Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, evolving deep-tech environment with ambiguity and shifting priorities.

• 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 in space, aerospace, satellite systems, deep-tech, hardware-software integrated environments, or Earth observation.

• Experience in managing European Commission, Horizon Europe, EUSPA, defense (NATO, EDA, or national), or other international institutional projects, consortium-based programs, or defense-related projects.

• Familiarity with satellite development lifecycles, mission planning, or operational readiness programs.

• Knowledge of program management methodologies, systems engineering practices, and operational readiness processes.

• PMP, PRINCE2, Agile, or similar certification is a plus.

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 lead strategic international space programs that help transform hyperspectral satellite data and AI into a meaningful impact on Earth?? Then we’d love to hear from you. Please send us your application by the 1st of July. We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis, so reach out to us soon.🧑‍🚀