Vice President - Space Engineering

Vice President – Space Engineering

FADA is seeking a visionary and strategic Vice President of Space Engineering to lead the engineering function, supporting the development of advanced satellite platforms and payload systems. This executive role is responsible for shaping and executing the technical roadmap, scaling a world-class engineering organization, and ensuring excellence in delivery from concept through to launch and operations.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in aligning engineering strategy with business objectives, leading multidisciplinary teams, driving innovation, and establishing the internal competencies and partnerships required for sustained growth in the UAE’s rapidly advancing space sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and implement the engineering vision, strategy, and roadmap in alignment with FADA and EDGE Group objectives.

• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and organization-wide decision-making.

• Oversee the full lifecycle of space engineering activities, including the design, integration, and validation of satellite bus platforms and payload systems.

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing engineering organization across systems, mechanical, electrical, software, and payload domains.

• Foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.

• Ensure engineering resources and competencies are aligned to deliver on customer commitments, program milestones, and future growth opportunities.

• Maintain strict adherence to quality assurance processes, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.

• Drive on-time, in-scope, and on-budget delivery of all engineering programs, while proactively managing risks and implementing corrective actions.

• Collaborate with business development teams to align technical capabilities with current and emerging market opportunities.

• Lead technical contributions to proposal development, including system architecture, estimation, scheduling, and resource planning.

• Engage with customers to capture technical requirements, present solutions, and build lasting relationships.

• Provide engineering input during contract negotiations, including feasibility assessments and risk identification.

• Establish and nurture strategic technical partnerships with suppliers, research institutions, and industry stakeholders, locally and internationally.

• Drive R&D initiatives to advance core technologies, increase performance, and strengthen competitive advantage.

• Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies, tools, and methodologies that improve product reliability and accelerate development.

• Oversee engineering budgets, forecasts, and resource planning to support scalable and sustainable growth.

• Ensure knowledge and technology transfer strategies are developed and implemented across internal teams and with external partners.

• Support capacity building by enabling effective training, documentation, and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; PhD is a plus.

• Minimum of 20 years of progressive engineering experience within Space or satellite sector, with at least 5 years in a senior executive or leadership role.

• In-depth understanding of satellite systems architecture, including bus and payload integration, testing, and operationalization.

• Proven experience in building and scaling engineering organizations in high-technology environments.

• Strong leadership, people management, and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Demonstrated success in delivering complex space systems and managing cross-functional engineering programs.

• Sound knowledge of quality and regulatory frameworks (e.g., ECSS, ISO, NASA standards).

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment with competing priorities.

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