Head of Engineering

Leanspace is a leading provider of software solutions for satellite and ground segment operations. We build and operate the Leanspace platform, an ecosystem of APIs and data-handling services to run mission-critical systems. Our software supports many space engineering activities, ranging from satellite testing to in-orbit operations.

Our customers are large enterprises, space agencies, armed forces, and innovative newspace startups, running exciting space programs such as Earth observation satellites, satcom constellations, in-orbit services vehicles, orbital platforms, launchers, space cargo, and global ground station networks. We provide them with the data and software ecosystem to test and operate their space assets with unprecedented agility, security, and scalability.

Founded in 2020, Leanspace has quickly become a key player in the global ground segment market, convincing high-profile customers in Europe, the United States, and other regions, as well as securing the support of prestigious investors and governments. The company operates from its HQ in Strasbourg, France, an international, beautiful city at the heart of Europe, rich in culture, nature, and host to the European institutions, as well as from its office in Denver, Colorado, a fast-growing, vibrant hub of space activities in the USA.

We’ve built an international team of 17+ nationalities, the driving force behind our ambitious mission to reshape the satellite ground segment market. We’re looking for driven, ambitious talents to join us and keep pushing the boundaries of space technology!

What We are Looking For

As we have grown, the internal complexity has grown as well. Multiple product lines, a common infrastructure, as well as projects and grants with their own schedule and milestones, must be coordinated, to ensure maximum synergy, solve resource constraints in the engineering squads, and make sure the project deadlines are met.

We are therefore looking for someone who gets things done, likes juggling many priorities, to have things under control, is strict when needed, and also understands that business needs may change (… and when this happens return to getting things done). An experienced engineering manager, who can monitor and coordinate the activities of multiple squads in parallel. Each squad has a high level of autonomy and responsibility, to ensure rapid decision making. Each squad is a cross functional team of engineers, led by a product trio consisting of product manager, technical lead, and UX designer, developing one part of our product.

You will report directly to the CTO, and interface directly with the engineering squads on a daily basis.

Your job will be the cross squad coordination, ensuring efficiency, reduction of waste, and clarity of goals. If you also have the technical savvy to understand the technologies being developed, and help guide the R&D effort, then perfect.

As a person you should bring a desire to create order in constructive chaos. You must be able to communicate with many different squads, keeping all the sometimes conflicting priorities in mind, and help the business make the right informed decisions.

Communication skills, as well as directness and honesty, and the ability to say no, are key traits.

Tasks

• Facilitate the overall sprint planning process across all squads, involving all relevant squads and the C-Level
• Interface with the product managers and negotiate sprint scope (next increment of the product) based on external constraints such as sickness, holidays, other commitments, etc.
• Work with the tech leads and the squads, to make sure they have the right tasks, that they are clear, and that they stay on course
• Establish personal connections with the squads and interact with them on a daily basis
• Monitor the squads execution of the goals and help unlock blocking issues, to make sure the sprint goals are achieved
• Optimize the company processes of engineering, with the aim of reducing waste and improving the velocity
• Address organizational, communication, motivation, and any other factors that affect efficiency with the C-Level and make things happen
• Plan resources to match commitments against bandwidth across all
• Manage the financial reporting, ensuring that people book time correctly, that things are traced properly in Jira, etc
• Coordinate the execution of grants (R&D projects co-funded by national agencies) and projects (client specific activities), including prioritizing tasks with the engineering squads and engaging with partners
• Ensure that the necessary information for grant reports and project reports are available, and write and consolidate technical reports
• Support financial reporting related to grants (CIR/CII)
• The work location will be in our HQ in Strasbourg

Your Profile

Mandatory

• 5+ years of engineering management experience or equivalent
• Technically savvy in software and critical systems, must understand what we are building
• Team leader who knows how to build and run tight-knit onsite teams
• Able to challenge and negotiate
• Fluent in both English and French (able to communicate and write technical reports)
• Able to give direct and candid feedback, even if unpleasant
• Strong with planning and reporting
• Focused on removing blockers and getting things done
• Likes to have things well in order, and to optimize. Enemy of chaos
• Experience in complex, agile, product development processes
• Interest in the space industry

 Bonus points if you have

• Past experience in the space industry
• Able to be security cleared in France
• Proven track record in developing commercial cloud or SaaS products
• Experience in research processes (PhD, academia)

Why You Will Love Working With Us

You will play a key role in an exciting, international scaleup. You will enjoy a highly intercultural environment, benefit from a flexible, family-friendly culture with many social activities and team events, and work with a talented and close-knit team.

At Leanspace you will have a direct impact in the space industry, contributing to shape its future directly through your work. You will have opportunities for business travels, space events and for visiting exciting space landmarks.

We offer assistance and financial support with relocation, private health insurance, meal vouchers, subsidies for commuting costs, as well as a yearly training budget of 2,000€ to invest in your professional development.