Ground Ops Flow Development & Integration Manager

The Ground Operations Flow Development & Integration Manager will provide
leadership for the planning, development, and integration of operations, processes, tools, & personnel required to service all Sierra Space platforms and spacecraft for launch, for post-landing recovery, for maintenance, & for refurbishment. Specifically, the Ground Operations Flow Development & Integration Manager will develop and execute the project planning and technical integration required to support spacecraft processing and Ground Operations for Sierra Space platforms and to stand up Ground Operations at Sierra Space launch & landing sites globally.

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

For the development of Ground Operations for new platforms and for new launch & landing sites, specific areas of responsibility include:

• Pre-launch analysis of mission-specific objectives and requirements from internal & external program customers

• Planning & execution of mission-specific vehicle processing flows to support launch vehicle integration, launch, recovery, & refurbishment

• Procurement, fabrication, & installation of supplier launch system mating adapters

• Propellant storage, loading, & unloading

• Cargo module installation & disassembly

• Cargo loading & unloading

• Systems & crew consumables loading and verification

• Delivery of the spacecraft or platform to the launch system

• Prelaunch spacecraft activation & checkout

• Post-landing spacecraft “make safe” operations & crew recovery

• Post-landing spacecraft transport back to refurbishment & launch facility

• Post-landing spacecraft repair & reconfiguration

• Vehicle routine maintenance for safety & flight readiness

• Providing technical assessments of existing and potential launch & landing sites for mission suitability in support of Business Development and Strategic Planning activity

For execution of spacecraft processing flows, the Ground Operations Flow Development & Integration Manager is also responsible for integrating and managing the end-to-end execution of the integrated ground operations processing flow for each unique mission of all Sierra Space platforms & spacecraft consisting of the following

• Horizontal Facility vehicle processing schedules, to include clearly defining and integrating hazardous operations, launch vehicle provider’s hardware deliveries,

• Sierra Space Proprietary Information Sierra Space Proprietary Information

• resources requirements for all Sierra Space products and platforms which occur in parallel

• Schedules that manage Integrated Test and Check out events with the flight hardware, to ensure milestones requiring external stakeholder evaluation/involvement are met per schedule

• The launch vehicle provider’s development and test schedule, to ensure key milestone completion (i.e. critical path schedule) and manage risk to target launch date

• The spacecraft maintenance & refurbishment turnaround schedule for each mission

• Responsible for ensuring all processing flows are progressing as planned and actively monitoring risks to schedule to ensure Eastern Range schedule and availability is met

The Ground Operations Flow Development & Integration Manager will be a part of the Mission, Launch & Recovery Operations team, located at Kennedy Space Center. They will report to the Vice President of Launch and Recovery Operations and will work with all required leaders and stakeholders to roll up an end-to-end flow that will assist in characterizing and mitigating risk from beginning to end to ensure that the ground operations team and facilities can support prescribed launch, landing, & recovery dates.

 

Must Haves:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or similar technical field

• Related experience may be considered in lieu of required education

• Experience managing projects and demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Project

• Experience with the evaluation of requests for proposals and/or quotes. Experience with preparing, reviewing, and submitting proposals and/or quotes.

• Requires the ability to manage complex situations, delegate authority, lead and inspire your team, drive innovative thinking, instill collaboration, drive for success, challenge status quo, and demonstrate the ability to adapt to dynamic situations

• Proficient leadership abilities inclusive of successful change management, mentoring, career development, training, succession planning, holding people accountable, and conducting yearly reviews

• Experience in team building, time management, conflict resolution, communication, briefing, presentation, strategic thinking, marketing, and literacy in the program management disciplines.

• Cultivates innovation

• Plans and aligns

• Ensures accountability

• Communicates effectively

• Instills trust

• Is resilient and adaptable

Preferred:

• PMI Certification, (PMP, PGMP, etc)

• 5 years or more of experience in aerospace or defense industries in project management

• Proficient leadership abilities inclusive of successful change management, mentoring, career development, training, succession planning, holding people accountable, and conducting yearly reviews

• Understanding of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARS)

• Working knowledge of Program Management Institute Program Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)

• Managing projects using Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), agile and or spiral development models

• Managing projects requiring Earned Value Management

• Understanding with application tools and data architectures

• Ability to reinforce the usage & application of Corporate PM tools

• Ability to keep program management informed of function & process changes within project controls.

• Ability to enhance program management expertise in the staff

• Ability to establish new & further refining existing templates, tools, & guidelines for program documentation & execution

• Experience with ensuring compliance with approved Corporate and ISO 9001:2000 Policies and Processes
   

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: 

$126,031.74 - $189,047.61

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.