Mission Assurance Lead (m/w/d)

About Us

We are pioneering the future of satellite intelligence and defense. Backed by Rheinmetall’s proven defense expertise and ICEYE’s radar satellite innovation, our joint venture has the ambition of delivering one of the world's largest earth observation satellite constellations to defend Germany.

Our mission? Empower Europe’s security and defense with sovereign, persistent, and accurate space-based intelligence under any condition.

Join us to shape one of Europe’s most significant high-tech projects and make a real impact on defense and security for tomorrow.

RISS key competences

In addition to the job requirements, 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.

The Mission of the Mission Assurance Lead

Ensure mission success by embedding quality, reliability, and risk discipline across the full mission lifecycle.

The Mission Assurance Lead exists to protect mission outcomes -from early design through manufacturing, launch, and on‑orbit operations. This role is accountable for ensuring that systems, processes, and teams consistently meet the highest standards of quality, safety, reliability, and compliance.

You act as an independent, trusted authority who balances speed and rigor, identifies risks early, and ensures that issues are resolved before they can jeopardize mission success.

Expected Outcomes (12-18 months)

• Mission risks are systematically identified, assessed, and mitigated across design, manufacturing, test, launch, and operations.
• Quality and reliability requirements are clearly defined and enforced, resulting in hardware and software that meet mission performance and safety objectives.
• Non‑conformances, anomalies, and failures are rigorously investigated, with effective corrective and preventive actions implemented and tracked to closure.
• Mission assurance reviews and gates are executed with authority and clarity, enabling informed go / no‑go decisions.
• A strong mission assurance culture is established, where teams understand trade‑offs, raise concerns early, and prioritize long‑term mission success over short‑term convenience.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the mission assurance framework across the full satellite lifecycle (from design to operations)
• Lead risk management, FMEA/FDIR activities, and reliability assessments
• Chair or contribute to design, readiness, and failure review boards (PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR, LRR)
• Own non-conformance, anomaly, and failure investigation processes and closure
• Act as an independent authority, escalating risks and blocking progression when mission success is threatened
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, launch, and operations teams to resolve issues pragmatically

Role-specific competences

• 7+ years of professional experience in mission assurance, quality engineering, reliability engineering, or systems engineering within space, aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability industries
• Proven ability to manage technical and programmatic risk across complex, end‑to‑end systems
• Hands-on experience supporting hardware and/or software through development, test, launch, and operations
• Strong capability in anomaly investigation, root‑cause analysis, and corrective action
• Confidence to challenge decisions, escalate concerns, and influence senior stakeholders

• The opportunity to help shape a national sovereign space capability.
• A role that directly impacts Europe's security and defense architecture.
• Competitive compensation with strong development and learning opportunities.
• A supportive, diverse, and mission-oriented environment.
• Company health benefits, accident insurance, and an annual professional development budget.
• Relocation assistance and access to training, conferences, and certification programs.
• Modern offices with areas for collaboration and focused work.

Apply now and start your journey with RISS!

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At RISS, we believe that diversity fosters innovation and strengthens us as an organization. We create a work environment where different perspectives and talents are not only welcome but valued.