Head of Space Systems Engineering & Operations

Sierra Space; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 157,512 - 216,579; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

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

Life insurance

3 weeks paid time off

Job summary

Sierra Space is seeking a Manager, Systems Engineering to lead multiple operations and training teams across spacecraft programs. You will translate high-level mission requirements into executable procedures, oversee risk mitigation, and ensure readiness of crew and ground teams for complex operations.

This role requires strong leadership, extensive systems engineering expertise, and a active Top Secret security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or related technical field, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant systems engineering experience.
• At least 3 years in a leadership or management role.
• Comprehensive knowledge of systems engineering principles including requirements management, system architecture, interface control, verification and validation.
• Demonstrated ability to apply systems engineering practices across complex technical systems.
• Experience managing systems engineering teams and providing direct supervision to requirements engineers, system architects, and integration engineers.
• Proficiency with systems engineering tools and methodologies (e.g., MBSE, SysML, DOORS) for requirements traceability, functional analysis, and trade studies.
• Demonstrated ability to guide teams through technical challenges and trade-off decisions.
• Experience managing budgets, resource allocations, and making risk-informed decisions balancing technical, schedule, and cost constraints.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to effectively communicate complex systems concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to manage relationships with internal customers, external suppliers, and program management.
• An active Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of systems engineers, operations specialists, and training professionals.
• Develop operational procedures and execute mission operations.
• Ensure crew and ground team readiness for spacecraft programs.
• Provide technical leadership and people management across teams.
• Integrate mission operations with systems engineering processes and verification efforts.
• Develop and update operations handbooks, contingency procedures, and training curricula.
• Manage budgets and resources for operations and training activities.
• Coordinate across programs to ensure design trades meet operational constraints.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Budget management

Systems engineering

MBSE

Risk-informed decisions

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

MBSE

SysML

DOORS

Job description

Sierra Space is seeking a Manager, Systems Engineering to lead multiple operations and training teams across spacecraft programs. You will translate high-level mission requirements into executable procedures, oversee risk mitigation, and ensure readiness of crew and ground teams for complex operations.

This role requires strong leadership, extensive systems engineering expertise, and a active Top Secret security clearance.