The short version

Our autonomous airships deliver accurate, large-scale aerial data for defense, infrastructure, and environmental use. Our civilian business is growing, and we need someone to own the operations that make it all work: the missions, the people, the logistics, the customer delivery.

About Kelluu

Kelluu builds persistent ISR capabilities for defence and civilian customers, powered by autonomous, hydrogen-fuelled airships that fly longer, quieter, and in conditions others can’t.

Our technology is flight-proven and operational. We operate in both defence and civilian markets: the same platform that supports security also monitors critical infrastructure and the environment.

We’re a Finnish deep-tech company, European-origin, headquartered in Joensuu with offices in Helsinki and Tampere. The team is growing fast, the goals are ambitious, and we’re hiring people who want to build something that matters.

Why this role exists

Our civilian business is scaling. More customers, more missions, more locations. The same technology that flies for defence forces also monitors energy grids, pipelines, wind farms, and the environment for civilian customers. Our aim is simple: fly a lot. That means producing airships and opening new areas of operations wherever they’re needed.

Right now, we need someone to own all of this on the civilian side. Make sure the fleet is in the air more than on the ground, the operations run smoothly, the customers are happy, and the team is growing into one that can handle what’s coming.

What you’ll own

You’ll own all aspects of civilian flight operations: missions, personnel planning, logistics, and customer deliveries.

The impact you’ll have:

• Build and lead the civilian operations team. You’ll be the team lead for pilots and mission commanders, and you’ll grow and recruit the team as the business scales

• Make sure sales can focus on selling. When sales closes a deal, they need to know that operations will deliver flawlessly. You’re the reason they can trust that

• Turn customer needs into concrete action. You’ll translate what customers want into operational plans your team can execute

• Develop and implement operational strategies that get the fleet flying more hours, in more places. Open new bases and areas of operations wherever the business needs them

• Own safety and compliance. Safety is the top priority when doing flight missions, and you’ll ensure all relevant regulations and standards are met

• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers and partners on the ground

Your team

You’ll work in close collaboration with the civilian sales team, the defence operations team, and central operations. You report to the Head of Operations. Day to day, you’ll also work closely with the management team and directly with customers.

As Kelluu grows, so does your scope. New countries, new sites, new bases to oversee, and a bigger team to lead.

What success looks like

By 3 months, you will have:

• Fully onboarded and up to speed on our technology, operations, and customers

• Built relationships with the existing team and key customers

• Taken ownership of day-to-day civilian operations

By 6 months:

• Operations running smoothly with existing customers. New projects being started

• Sales can rely on you for delivery and sales support so they can focus on opening new markets and accounts

• Your team works seamlessly together, solving problems before they arise

By 12 months:

• New operational locations up and running. A clear strategy for how to deliver the next wave of growth

• Customers see Kelluu as a proactive and trustworthy operator who handles even the trickiest situations professionally

• Your team is happy, committed, and seen as the go-to team for future talent. Hiring top people is easy

• You know how to drive fleet availability and customer satisfaction while keeping operations efficient and safe

What we’re looking for

You’ll thrive here if you have:

• A scale-up mindset. You thrive where things move fast and change is constant

• Proven experience managing a team with a hands-on leadership style. Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities

• The ability to translate customer experience into operational development. You see what customers need and turn it into better processes

• A results-oriented mindset. Success is ultimately measured in customer deliveries

• Comfort with office tools and a modern hybrid work environment. We’re building an AI-enabled organisation and we expect you to be up to date with modern tools

• Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time. You’ll travel to bases, customer sites, and new locations regularly

• Fluency in Finnish and English

Even better if you also bring:

• Experience from aviation, drone operations, or other regulated operational environments

• Background in field service, logistics, or operational delivery at scale

• Experience building teams and operational processes from scratch

What you get

The opportunity:

• Build a civilian flight operations organisation from the ground up. You won’t inherit a finished machine. You’ll design and build it

• Work with technology that doesn’t exist anywhere else. Autonomous, hydrogen-powered airships operating in some of the most challenging environments on earth

• Real ownership from day one. What you build directly shapes how Kelluu delivers for customers and how the company grows

• As the business scales, so does this role. New countries, new sites, bigger team, broader scope

The practicalities

• Salary range: €4,000–4,500/month depending on experience

• Benefits: healthcare, lunch, culture/sports/wellbeing benefit (Epassi), phone

• The tools you need to do your best work

• The role is based out of our Joensuu HQ, so you'll need to be local for the most part, but we’re flexible with remote days.

The kind of place this is

Kelluu is a dual-use deep-tech company at the intersection of autonomy, AI, and aerial intelligence. We build technology that serves both national security and society, and we take that responsibility seriously.

We’re scaling fast, which means you’ll have real influence on how things are built. The flipside: things move quickly, priorities shift, and everyone wears a few hats. If you want a finished playbook and a clear lane, this probably isn’t the right fit. If you want to write the playbook yourself, it might be exactly right.

We use AI tools extensively, not as a gimmick, but because it lets a growing team move faster than anyone expects. We expect everyone to be curious about how to work smarter.

Due to the nature of our business in the defence and dual-use sectors, the selected candidate must successfully pass a standard security clearance conducted by the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo).

Interested?

Apply by 30.4.2026.

Include your CV and application.

We’re less interested in a list of past job titles and more interested in your impact. When applying, tell us:

• Your 'Why': What internally drives you to do your best work?

• Your 'Wins': Tell us about a specific achievement you’re proud of. Think outcomes.
  

What to expect:

1. Screening call

2. Interview

3. Case assignment

4. Final interview

5. Reference check and offer

Questions? Reach out to Head of Operations Aleksi Sahlberg +358 50 355 3893.