Head of Innovation and Planning – Advanced Space Missions

Ready to lead where vision becomes mission — and where innovation drives real impact in Europe’s most ambitious space programs?

We’re looking for a visionary Head of Innovation and Planning to help drive the future of our Advanced Missions Business Unit. From early-phase studies to agency partnerships, your work will directly influence how we explore space, secure space assets, and deliver resilient systems for tomorrow’s missions.

You’ll turn bold ideas into structured programs — and make sure they stay aligned with long-term growth, technology leadership, and market relevance.

Your Role
You’ll work closely with the BU Head to define and implement innovation strategies across mission domains such as advanced technology missions, Space Domain Awareness (SDA), and secure communications. You’ll lead the development of our innovation roadmap, coordinate early-phase mission studies (Phases 0/A/B), and align all efforts with corporate strategy and future market positioning.

You’ll serve as a central link between internal engineering teams and external stakeholders such as ESA, the European Commission, and national space agencies — ensuring our innovation pipeline delivers tangible impact and strategic value.

Your tasks include

• Owning and driving the Advanced Missions innovation roadmap, identifying emerging opportunities, mission concepts, and technology investments.
• Leading the execution of early-phase mission studies and demonstrators, coordinating teams across disciplines to ensure feasibility, compliance, and value creation.
• Translating innovation into action, by shaping compelling proposals, securing funding, and driving alignment between agency expectations and internal capabilities.
• Embedding innovation into the organization, fostering collaboration across business units and ensuring systematic knowledge sharing.
• Representing the company strategically, maintaining strong relationships with institutional stakeholders and influencing future program landscapes.
  

Short- and Long-Term Success
In the initial phase, success means:

• Co-defining BU priorities and execution models with the BU Head.
• Introducing a clear resource prioritization framework to support delivery on time, on spec, and on budget.
• Establishing yourself as a cultural reference point for innovation — both within the BU and across the company.

Longer term, you’ll

• Champion profitable innovation program delivery aligned with long-term business growth.
• Strengthen our role as a partner of choice in advanced technology missions and deep-space initiatives.
• Help expand our strategic footprint, reputation, and market share in the European and global space ecosystem.
  

What You Bring
You’re a big-picture thinker with the ability to execute. You know how to move across technical, strategic, and institutional dimensions — and how to keep momentum in long innovation cycles.

You likely:

• Hold a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related technical field.
• Have 7+ years of experience managing innovation or development programs in the space industry.
• Are fluent in English (additional languages like French, German or Spanish are a plus).
• Understand ECSS standards, ESA project lifecycles, and institutional funding environments.
• Are highly structured, proactive, and confident in managing both internal teams and external stakeholders.
  

Who You Are
You bring leadership that’s both visionary and grounded. You don’t just follow trends — you shape them. And you know when to push, when to pivot, and when to bring people together.

You bring:

• Strategic foresight – you see emerging opportunities and act early.
• Tenacity – you keep complex programs moving through slow or shifting landscapes.
• Adaptability – you thrive in uncertainty and adjust course with clarity.
• Delivery mindset – you balance ambition with follow-through.
• Collaborative leadership – you build bridges across people, domains, and organisations.

You’re ready to define what’s next — and to turn innovation into missions that matter.

Why Join Us?
At GomSpace, we’re on a mission to shape the future of space – and we know we can only succeed by combining high performance with strong values.

• Be part of a global company making an impact in the space industry
• Get freedom under responsibility from day one – and grow with us
• Join a dynamic, full-service environment where no two days are alike
• Work across borders and build a strong international network
• Being part of a culture were collaboration beats competition
• Get room to build and shape – not just maintain
• Join a team that celebrates milestones – and supports each other in the day-to-day
  

JOIN OUR MISSION
You are welcome to send your application in English. Interviews will be conducted on a continuous basis. If you have any questions regarding the position do not hesitate to contact: Edgar Milic, Managing Director. E-mail: [email protected].

The primary workplace will ideally be at our premises in Luxembourg , Toulouse, or at our HQ on Langagervej 6, Aalborg, Denmark. Salary and start date will be individually negotiated.

We kindly draw your attention to the fact that we do not receive applications and resumes via e-mail or by personal appearance. This is to protect and show consideration for your personal information. Apply for the job by following the link below.

About GomSpace
GomSpace is a globally leading designer, integrator and manufacturer of high-end nano and microsatellites for customers in the academic, government and commercial markets. Our positions of strength include systems integration, small satellite subsystems and advanced miniaturized radio technology. At the core of our mission are our core values: Be helpful, communicate openly and frequently, and show true leadership.
Our international team is devoted to understanding our customers’ requirements and delivering high quality. We are listed in Stockholm (GOMX), headquartered in Denmark and have subsidiaries in Sweden, Singapore, France, North America and Luxembourg. We have more than 170 employees servicing customers in more than 55 countries. Learn more on www.gomspace.com

Join us in shaping the future of space exploration!

Ready to make your mark?
Apply today or get in touch if you want to know more.

This is your chance to shape the European space agenda — and help build the missions the future depends on.
We’d love to hear from you.

Application deadline:
As soon as possible