Sr. Principal Systems Engineer

The Sr. Principal Systems Engineer/LEO Bus Lead will be responsible for all aspects of design, development, production, integration, test, and verification of our next generation of advanced LEO satellites including all hardware and software, and for working with our production and test teams to build and integrate the bus with sensors and payloads to enable the mission.

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

The Sr. Principal Systems Engineer/LEO Bus Lead responsibilities include:

• Own hardware from conceptual design through high volume production and on-orbit operation for our next gen commodity LEO bus

• Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization

• Rapidly iterate on designs and analysis to inform high level systems trades and steer overall product direction

• Drive holistic DFM to create elegant designs with a focus on piece part and process count reductions, error proofing at every step of fabrication and integration, and consistent performance and production metrics

• Establish an efficient product lifecycle starting in the supply chain all the way through final integration that balances cost, complexity, and quality; work closely with partner teams to design and realize an efficient production line

• Perform environmental and performance testing on hardware to validate analysis and demonstrate compliance to design criteria

• Own product delivery timeline through conception, design, assembly, and launch

This position reports directly to the Space Vehicle IPT Lead. Possessing strong team collaboration, effective communication and exemplar leadership characteristics are essential.

Must-haves:

• Active Top Secret U.S. Security clearance is required

• Bachelor's of Science degree in System Engineering or related discipline and typically 14 or more years of relevant experience

• Advanced knowledge of engineering principles and practices

• Progressive Experience working in multi-disciplinary design and development teams

• Thorough understanding of requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation; systems design, systems integration, technical risk identification and management strategies, and Verification and Validation (V&V) principles

Preferred:

• 10+ years of professional experience in spaceflight system design and analysis

• Contribute while Leading. 2+ years of hands-on project management experience with complex spaceflight systems, preferably as a team lead.

• Experience with new start program, growing teams and IPT / PM or Functional Management experience (People, Processes and Tools)

• Experience with supplier technical management and the ability to create and foster trusted relationships with supplier and partners

• Knowledge of and experience in selecting materials, manufacturing methods, and surface treatments for spaceflight hardware 

• Experience working with Thermal, Electrical Power, and Flight Hardware Electronics

• Experience working with Attitude Control, GNC and Flight Software development teams

• Experience working with PCB designers and exposure to PCB layout and PCBA mechanical design

• Experience with design of experiments, statistical process control, and process qualification

• Proficient in 3D CAD (NX preferred)

• Solid understanding and application of GD&T

• Demonstrated understanding of failure modes in complex spaceflight systems

• Prior ownership of a complex system integration of components or assemblies from initial design through high-volume production ramp

• Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills 

• Demonstrated capability in requirements management and system modelling tools, such as DOORS, Rhapsody, NoMagic, MATLAB

• Advanced knowledge of industry standard mechanical design principles, to include, but not limited to requirements management, Model Based System Engineering (MBSE)

• Experience or certification in INCOSE standards

• Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry

• Progressive experience leading baseline definition and maturation in a complex development setting, including the use of high impact trade studies and other measures

• Advanced experience with establishing and tracking key Technical Performance Measurements (TPM)

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

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

This position requires current/active Top Secret with SCI eligibility U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.

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: 

$183,344.68 - $275,017.02

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.