AI Program Manager

Are you an Artificial Intelligence professional with a passion for innovation? Do you excel at transferring knowledge, mentoring teams and scouting cutting-edge AI applications? Would you like to apply your AI expertise to Space, one of the fastest growing and most strategic industries in Europe? We are looking for a highly skilled AI Program Manager to join our Strategy&Innovation team ABOUT US ESYEN is an engineering company providing advanced services to the Space Industry, working with major international customers and agencies such as EUSPA and ESA. Since 2012, we have played an active role in all the main European Space Programmes, including Earth Observation, Navigation, Space Situational Awareness and Secure Satcom. Our team has a solid track record in delivering Ground Segment services across major EU Space Programmes. ESYEN operates in Italy, Germany, France and Spain, with a strong commitment to innovation and service quality. WORK LOCATION The position is based at the ESYEN offices in Avezzano (AQ) and Rome, Italy. Partial remote working may be possible depending on objectives and project requirements. WHAT WE LOOK FOR ✅ Education Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, AI or a related technical discipline ✅ Technical Skills Proven expertise in AI/ML development and deployment (any sector) Knowledge of Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures and Generative AI techniques Motivation to apply AI to the space domain (satellite operations, ground segments, space data) Experience in designing and delivering training programmes on AI technologies to technical and non-technical teams Ability to scout and assess AI-driven market opportunities Familiarity with data governance, ethics and security in AI Understanding of cloud platforms, APIs and AI integration within complex systems ✅ Professional Experience & Soft Skills Proven experience in AI-related roles (consulting, R&D, product, any industry) Strong analytical abilities and business acumen Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex concepts into actionable plans Strong project management skills, preferably with experience in Agile, Scrum, or other methodologies. Ability to work autonomously while also contributing as a team leader/mentor Fluent in English (spoken and written); other EU languages are a plus Eligibility to work in the EU and obtain security clearance if required Ability to work effectively in multicultural, fast-paced, remote, or distributed teams. ✅ Preferred Additional Qualifications Proven experience leading complex AI projects in aerospace, defense, or related high-tech sectors. Understanding of aerospace data sources (e.g., telemetry, sensor data, imaging) and data handling techniques. Certifications such as PMP, Scrum Master, or industry-specific safety certifications are advantageous. Experience working with international teams and navigating regulatory landscapes. WHAT YOU WILL DO As an AI Program Manager at ESYEN, you will serve as the technical leader of our AI team and a key driver of innovation. Your responsibilities include training AI specialists, defining the AI roadmap, establishing standards for satellite systems and ground segments, and identifying high-impact AI applications for space infrastructure and services. You will conduct competitive analyses of AI solutions in the space industry to inform strategic decisions and support the development of innovative business cases. Additionally, you'll oversee active contracts to ensure the successful delivery of AI products and foster a culture of AI excellence within the company. Collaborating closely with Business Development, you'll evaluate tenders involving AI and explore new opportunities. Reporting directly to the Chief Strategy Officer, you'll regularly engage with the CCO and COO to align AI initiatives with overall corporate strategy, positioning ESYEN as a leader in space industry innovation. Your main activities will include (but are not limited to): Designing and delivering training programmes to upskill internal teams on AI technologies and methodologies. Introducing and embedding AI-driven tools and approaches to simplify, automate, and improve internal processes across operations and business support. Collaborating with engineering teams to integrate AI into satellite control, ground segment operations, anomaly detection, and data exploitation. Developing pilots and proof-of-concepts, including LLM- and RAG-based solutions, for knowledge management, decision support, and anomaly detection. Generating and presenting innovative ideas for AI applications in external projects and internal workflows. Supporting strategic decision-making with data-driven insights. This is a unique opportunity to work in a high-tech, mission-critical environment, applying your AI expertise to both the European space sector and the internal transformation of our company. BENEFITS The successful candidate will be offered a permanent contract and a competitive salary package that reflects your skills and experience, in line with the company’s salary scale. Additional benefits include: ✔ Health coverage as outlined by the national contract ✔ Access to professional development courses ✔ Team-building extracurricular activities ✔ Enhanced annual welfare benefits, exceeding those required by the national contract ✔ Flexible working hours ✔ Coverage of relocation expenses ✔ Opportunities for career growth within the project and beyond APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Please include your CV in English with the authorisation for the processing of personal data in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and Italian Legislative Decree 196/2003. The offer is open to candidates of all genders in compliance with Law No. 903/77 and Law No. 125/91.