Senior Systems Engineer (Flight Operations - Mission Systems Manager)

Are you a bold thinker? We dream big at Sierra Space—advocating the exploration of space, keeping service members safe and creating the systems that keep our world united and sustain our way of living. Join our team!

As a Mission Systems Manager, you will be leading a small team of IT and engineering professionals who are responsible for design, validation, and maintenance of the ground system that is necessary to operate the Dream Chaser spacecraft, as well as other Sierra Space programs, throughout all program lifecycles. This ground system includes the facilities, equipment, software, and communication infrastructure necessary to operate a spacecraft.

Sierra Space-based in Louisville, CO with operations in Madison, WI, Durham, NC, Huntsville, AL, Houston, TX, and Kennedy Space Center, FL—designs and manufactures the Dream Chaser spaceplane and other advanced spacecraft, commercial space destinations, satellites, propulsion and environmental systems, spacecraft subsystems and components for the U.S. government (including NASA), commercial customers, and international organizations. Learn more about Sierra Space

Sierra Space, based in Louisville, Colorado with operations in Madison, Wisconsin, Durham, North Carolina, and Kennedy Space Center, Florida, designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft, satellites, propulsion and environmental systems, spacecraft subsystems and components for the U.S. government (including NASA), commercial customers and international organizations. Learn more about Sierra Space

The Mission Systems Manager for Kennedy Space Center will serve as the lead for the Florida portion of the Mission Systems Element and will participate in all day-to-day control center activities. The candidate will work as a part of the Flight Control Team throughout multiple phases of flight and will be expected to provide guidance to other team members for systems design, problem resolution, and project management. This position will help lead and support projects for control center infrastructure implementations, sustaining maintenance, and enhancements. The candidate will be expected to coordinate with multiple POC’s at Sierra Space, NASA, and other subcontractor organizations.   

The Mission Systems team is led out of the Louisville, Colorado office and reports to the Sierra Space Flight Operations Directorate which provides operations support across multiple programs. Engineers within Mission Systems are responsible for the design, integration, testing, and maintenance of Mission Control Center systems, as well as operational support systems that provide spacecraft command and control capabilities to remote sites. These systems are used throughout spacecraft development, integrated testing, and real-time mission operations.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Working as part of a small and dynamic team to complete the development and certification of Sierra Space control center systems.
• Supporting operations throughout pre-launch, flight, post-landing, and spacecraft processing phases
• Real-time monitoring, anomaly resolution, and operations support
• Support for overall control center design, integration, and build-out
• Design, operations, and training documentation development, including systems manuals, operations handbooks, interface control documents, and operational procedures.
• Training and support for other team members and end users
• General systems engineering and integration tasks.
• Test plan development, execution, and reporting for future projects.
• Supervisor duties including employee administration, evaluations, and mentoring.
• Punctuality to work each day and prepared to work scheduled hours.
• Other duties as assigned.

Must-haves:

• Bachelor's of Science degree in System Engineering or related discipline; higher education may be considered in lieu of experience. 
• Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of education. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering principles and practices
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary design and development teams.

Preferred:

• Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry
• Experience or certification in INCOSE standards
• Leadership experience with small or medium teams
• Experience in the implementation and administration of Configuration Management systems
• Hands-on experience with network related tools, concepts, technologies, and security procedures
• Hands-on experience with network hardware, protocols, and media including but not limited to fiber optics, UTP, VOIP, MPLS, DNS, DHCP, TCP/IP directional wireless
• Experience in Windows and Linux Systems Administration
• Information Assurance (IA) hardening and compliance, i.e. STIG & DSS compliance, documentation, etc.
• Willing and able to travel and flexible work hours as they will be periodically required.
• Motivated and resourceful self-learner and problem-solver
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work in a highly collaborative, fast paced environment with an emphasis in rapid prototyping and hands-on involvement.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance may be required. Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances

At Sierra Space we deliver customer-focused technology and best-of-breed integrations in the aerospace and defense sectors. Sierra Space has been honored as one of the most innovative U.S. companies in space, a Tier One Superior Supplier for the U.S. Air Force, and as one of America’s fastest-growing companies. Learn more about Sierra Space

Physical/Mental/Emotional Requirements:

• Frequently walk, sit, stand, climb stairs and steps
• Frequently repeat same hand, arm, and finger motion many times to include finger and hand dexterity.
• Rarely lifting or carrying up to 20 lbs.

Working Conditions:

• Rarely exposed to outdoor elements (high/low temperatures, sun, rain/snow, etc.)
• Rarely exposed to fumes or hazardous chemicals/materials
• Rarely exposed to loud noises

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
To conform to U.S. Government international trade regulations, applicant must be a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.

With 30+ years of proven spaceflight heritage, Sierra Space has provided more than 4,000 space systems, subsystems and components to customers worldwide, and participated in more than 500 missions to space, including to Mars. The company has technology in production and in development to enable space habitats for short- and long-duration space travel, a fleet of Dream Chaser spaceplanes, and the first free-flying commercial space station. Please visit www.sierraspace.com to learn more about Sierra Space, its business areas, capabilities, programs, products and services.

Estimated Starting Salary Range: 

$109,592.82 - $164,389.23

Sierra Space offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.

Sierra Space offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 8%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more.

At Sierra Space, our mission is to dream, innovate, inspire and empower the next generation to transform humanity through technology and imagination. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we welcome our employees to bring their whole selves to their work. Sierra Space is committed to fostering an inclusive, accepting, and diverse environment free of discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Contributions to Sierra Space come in many shapes and styles, and we believe diversity in our workforce fosters new and greater ways to dream, innovate, and inspire.