Assembly, Integration, & Test (AI&T) Lead

Sierra Space Corporation; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 161,000 - 221,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental plan

Vision plan

401(k) with 150% match up to 6%

Life insurance

3 weeks paid time off

Job summary

Sierra Space Corporation is seeking an AI&T Lead to guide advanced test engineering across assembly, integration, and test campaigns. You will mentor engineers, drive continuous improvement, and partner with program management on budgets and schedules to ensure contract success.

The role requires extensive experience in test engineering, systems engineering, and automated testing, with security clearance prerequisites and leadership responsibilities across cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; advanced knowledge in test engineering principles.
• Typically 12+ years of related experience in test engineering and systems.
• Expertise in designing test strategies, automated testing tools & test script development.
• Experience with systems engineering lifecycle and configuration management.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead a complex AI&T campaign across assembly, integration, and test activities.
• Mentor engineers and drive continuous improvement across programs.
• Manage budgets, schedules, and execution to meet contract requirements.

Skills

Test engineering principles

Systems engineering principles

Automated testing tools

Test script programming

Troubleshooting complex tests

Leadership

Communication skills

Configuration management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent

Master's degree +10 years experience

Tools

Thermal chambers

Vibration tables

Data acquisition systems

Job description

Sierra Space Careers

At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth.

At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth.

Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can deliver on the boldest missions in space today. Together with our customers, we aim to safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure the freedom of operations in low Earth orbit and beyond.

Our success is measured by the trust of those who rely on what we build and deliver, and our technologies keep the United States and its allies mission-ready throughout space.

We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team.

About The Role

As an AI&T Lead at Sierra Space, you will utilize your extensive experience and advanced knowledge in multiple areas of satellite build and test engineering to lead a complex campaign to build, test, and validate projects. You will design test strategies and frameworks, apply advanced technical principles, and lead cross-functional teams. Your role will involve mentoring other engineers and driving continuous improvement across the enterprise's manufacturing and testing functions.

In this role, you will lead and execute advanced and complex assembly, integration, & test plans & procedures, resulting in as-built assemblies and test reports to demonstrate compliance with system requirements. Additionally, you will support the program management team with comprehensive program planning, execution, and resource management for the AI&T scope of work, to ensure successful program outcome.

You will lead the team to design and implement advanced test strategies and frameworks, integrating strong analytical skills and knowledge of automated testing tools. You will apply increasingly advanced technical principles, theories, and concepts in the execution of Manufacturing and Test Engineering functions while advancing the capabilities and efficiencies of the AI&T function across the enterprise through continuous improvement initiatives. Leading cross-functional teams in the pursuit of continuous improvement, you will foster collaboration and innovation while applying strong troubleshooting skills to solve complex problems, ensuring system integrity and performance.

As a program leader you will manage budgets, schedules, and execution to ensure alignment with contractual requirements, while developing and maintaining comprehensive program plans, schedules, and budgets. Frequently mentoring other engineers, you will provide guidance and support to enhance their technical skills and professional development. Additionally, you will support program management in the execution of critical programs, while effectively communicating complex technical concepts and information to team members, senior engineers, and stakeholders.

About You

Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower – to join us in this critical mission.

We’re looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +10 yrs experience).
• Typically 12+ years of related experience.
• Advanced knowledge in multiple areas of test engineering principles and practices (dynamics, thermal, measurement, HSI, SW Test, Integration, etc.).
• Collaborate with project managers, functional managers, and technical leads to ensure accurate planning and reporting
• Advanced expertise in Systems Engineering principles and practices, including a comprehensive understanding of the systems development lifecycle
• Expertise in designing test strategies and frameworks, strong analytical skills, knowledge of automated testing tools, and programming skills for test script development.
• Experience applying increasing degrees of advanced technical principles, theories, and concepts in the execution of Test Engineering job functions.
• Advance the capabilities and efficiencies of the test function across the enterprise.
• Proficient in various testing equipment, standards, and methodologies.
• Strong ability to troubleshoot and solve complex testing problems.
• Robust understanding of technical baseline and configuration management.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with environmental testing equipment such as thermal chambers, vibration tables, and data acquisition systems.
• Experience with risk management and mitigation strategies.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-complexity tasks and priorities effectively.
• Capability to manage program budgets and meet specified schedules and technical objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn and apply new concepts and methodologies in test engineering.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development in aerospace engineering.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills to work effectively within cross-functional teams and lead initiatives.
• Excellent communication skills to clearly and effectively convey complex technical information to diverse audiences.
• Proven track record of successful technical leadership and ownership of high-impact projects from concept through completion.
• Proven experience in leading major projects and mentoring junior and mid-level engineers.

Compensation

Pay Range: $160,951.00 - $221,328.25

Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, experience, internal equity and market competitiveness.

Elevate Your Career

At Sierra Space, we are committed to your personal and professional development. We empower you to make profound and meaningful contributions and foster a vibrant culture of collaboration, where teamwork ignites breakthrough innovations.

We also offer a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, and more.

Sierra Space is an industry-leading space and defense technology company providing satellites, spacecraft, and enabling mission systems and components. We deliver mission-proven technologies to our customers that safeguard our nation, protect space-based assets and enable space exploration.

Application Deadline: This role will remain posted until a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Please note: Sierra Space does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to Sierra Space team members not through our approved vendor list or Talent Acquisition will be considered property of Sierra Space, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.

Sierra Space Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need special assistance or a reasonable accommodation related to applying for employment with Sierra Space or at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.