Senior Backend Software Engineer (Tactical Access)
Business Automation - Engineering
Location: Espoo, Finland
Reports to: Engineering Lead of Tactical Access squad
Contract type: Permanent
Hybrid, 3 days per week in the Espoo office
Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO)
The Mission of the Senior Backend Software Engineer
You will own the backend systems that let customers plan and manage satellite tasking through Tactical Access, ICEYE's tactical customer access product.
Tactical Access is customer-facing on two fronts, API and web, so this role sits at the intersection of backend engineering rigor and product ownership. You will design and operate the services and data models that power satellite tasking for real customers, and you will be trusted to make API design and reliability decisions that customers depend on directly, not just internal consumers.
Who We Are
ICEYE delivers space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to governments and allied nations. This includes sovereign and turnkey ISR missions leveraging ICEYE's world-leading synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology, as well as access to data from the world's largest SAR satellite constellation. These capabilities enable partners to detect and respond to critical changes anywhere on Earth with unprecedented speed and accuracy, day or night and in any weather, supported by ultra high-resolution imagery and high-frequency revisits.
As a trusted partner for defense, intelligence, security, and maritime domain awareness, ICEYE's near real-time data creates a tactical advantage for mission-critical operations. Designed for dual use, the platform also serves civil protection and commercial users for natural-catastrophe intelligence, insurance, maritime monitoring (including oil-spill detection), and finance, contributing to global security and community resilience.
ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, Japan, the UAE, Greece, and the US. The company has more than 900 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation.
Expected Outcomes & Requirements
Outcomes
Own end-to-end delivery of at least one significant Tactical Access backend capability, from API design through production operation, with documented tradeoffs
Reduce production risk in owned services through improved observability (metrics, traces, alerting) and demonstrated root-cause fixes, not just symptom patches
Ship API changes that account for client/customer impact (versioning, backwards compatibility) with no unplanned breaking changes to integrators
Collaborate directly with product managers, customers, and other engineering teams to turn business needs into the right technical tradeoffs
Contribute full-stack when end-to-end delivery requires it, without backend ownership slipping as a result
Actively raise the engineering bar in code review and architecture discussions for the team, not just their own PRs
Role-specific Competences
Production backend engineering experience in Go (or a closely comparable typed language) building and operating APIs and backend systems in production
API design and lifecycle ownership: versioning, backwards compatibility, and reasoning about customer impact of changes
Cloud (AWS) and container/orchestration experience (Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform); on-prem environment awareness is a plus
Data and messaging experience: PostgreSQL for storage, NATS for event-driven communication
Observability experience: building and maintaining dashboards and alerting with Prometheus, Grafana, and OpenTelemetry; comfortable distinguishing metrics, logs, and traces during a live incident
Treats testing, documentation, and code review as core engineering practice, not overhead
Applies security and quality best practices in a production, customer-facing system
Good experience in AI-assisted engineering tools (Cursor, Devin, or similar)
Familiarity with authentication/authorization standards (OAuth, OpenID Connect, JWT) and geospatial data (PostGIS, GeoJSON)
Key Competences
In addition to the requirements above, we evaluate candidates on these key qualities throughout the hiring process:
Intellectual Firepower: Rapidly comprehends, structures and synthesizes complex information, draws accurate conclusions, and communicates them with clarity.
Passion & Work Ethic: Brings sustained motivation, resilience, and high personal standards to every challenge.
Ownership & Action: Assumes full accountability for outcomes, acting decisively, and ensuring commitments are delivered.
Team Player: Works collaboratively across teams, contributing to shared success, and engaging in constructive debate.
Integrity & Growth Mindset: Operates with transparency and humility, learns from setbacks, and actively seeks opportunities to grow.
Application Process
TA Partner Screen
Hiring Manager Interview
Technical Interview
Values & Fit Interview
What We Offer at ICEYE
At ICEYE, you will join a diverse and highly engaged team united by the ambition to make the impossible possible. We know that we will succeed only through exceptional people in our team, which is why your growth, wellbeing, and success are a priority.
As a global scale-up, we combine speed and ambition with the opportunity to take real ownership from day one. You will benefit from continuous professional development, training opportunities, and a culture that values collaboration, curiosity, and integrity. ICEYE is a place where your contributions have a visible impact, and where we celebrate success together.
Benefits (Finland)
A job that matters in a dynamic Defence Technology and Earth Observation environment with a scale-up approach
An independent role with a supportive and diverse work environment
Occupational healthcare, occupational, and accident insurance
A yearly benefit budget to spend as you wish (sport, transport, bike benefit, wellness, lunch, etc.)
Phone subscription with iPhone of choice
Relocation support (flight tickets, accommodation, relocation agency support)
Time for self-development, research, training, conferences, or certification schemes
Inspiring and collaborating offices and silent workspaces enable you to focus
Base salary range for this position is 6,000-8,000 EUR per month (gross), contingent on your experience level, and will be negotiated individually.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At ICEYE, we believe that diversity isn't just a buzzword, it's our greatest asset.
We're committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every voice is not only heard but celebrated. We know that diverse perspectives breed innovation and creativity, which is why we actively seek out individuals from all walks of life, backgrounds, and experiences.
Whatever your background, we want you to bring your authentic self to the table. Join us and be part of a team where differences are not only embraced but cherished, because together, we're stronger.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those who may need workplace adjustments. If you require any specific accommodations or assistance during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know.
Apply now to start your ICEYE journey, and help us continue to make the impossible possible together. Read more about ICEYE and working with us at iceye.com.