Principal Project Engineer

Pace Industries, LLC; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 174,000 - 239,000; Full time

Job summary

Sierra Space is seeking a Principal Project Engineer to lead and execute large-scale engineering programs, ensuring integration of solutions and progress against cost and schedule targets. You will guide IPTs, support proposals, and manage technical evaluations while mentoring junior engineers and coordinating with program offices and customers.

The role requires a strong technical foundation, extensive project leadership, and the ability to deliver complex programs on time. A U.S.

Qualifications

• Requires 12+ years of related experience in project management.
• PMP certification required.
• Ability to lead large cross-functional teams.
• Strong technical and programmatic foundations with lifecycle oversight.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute large-scale engineering projects.
• Oversee design, development, and implementation, ensuring cost and schedule constraints.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers.
• Interface with customers and program office for status updates.

Skills

Lead cross-functional teams

Project management

Strong communication

EVMS_CAM knowledge

Risk and opportunity management

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Masters +10 yrs experience

Tools

MS Project

Primavera

CAD software

Job description

Sierra Space Careers: 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

The Principal Project Engineer role involves leading and executing large-scale technical projects, ensuring the successful integration of engineering solutions, and driving innovation within the team. This position requires a strong technical foundation, extensive engineering expertise, and demonstrated leadership capabilities. The role includes overseeing the design, development, and implementation of engineering projects, managing key programmatic functions, and ensuring projects meet technical specifications and quality standards as well as cost & schedule constraints. This role serves as a bridge between the Engineering and Program Office on a given project. In this role, you will lead large cross‑functional teams to accomplish high‑impact projects, such as Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), key business development projects or proposals, small programs, or medium‑to‑large Independent Research and Development (IRAD) projects. You will oversee the design, development, and implementation of engineering projects while playing a key role in the development of Proposals, Contracts, and Basis of Estimates by identifying and estimating scope, cost, and schedule. Ensuring that projects meet technical specifications and quality standards will be a critical responsibility, as will conducting high‑impact trade studies and leading technical evaluations. You will provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, manage high‑impact suppliers by developing and negotiating scope, creating and managing statements of work and contracts, addressing supplier issues, and monitoring their cost and schedule performance. Additionally, you will support Program Managers by leading key programmatic functions, including program standup, cost/schedule performance, major programmatic execution functions, and program control and governance. Interfacing directly with key customers and Program Managers, you will provide status updates and key insights on project progress to senior leadership, develop metrics and performance baselines, and manage return‑to‑green paths for critical program issues. You will communicate and coordinate effectively across engineering and functional teams, providing clear verbal and written communication of technical concepts, plans, and actions. Furthermore, you will drive innovation and continuous improvement within the engineering team and serve as a bridge between Engineering and Program offices, acting as a leading voice on behalf of all stakeholders, including support functions and customers, to resolve conflicts and ensure project success.

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.
• Professional Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Prior experience with a significant focus on project management and leadership.
• Strong technical, leadership, and programmatic foundation with a deep understanding of how projects/programs are run.
• Ability to lead large cross‑functional teams to accomplish high‑impact projects.
• Deep technical expertise and experience in the relevant engineering discipline.
• Proven leadership skills, including the ability to oversee the technical execution of projects throughout their lifecycle.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to ensure projects are completed within budget and scheduling constraints.
• Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and problem‑solving skills.
• Advanced knowledge of project management techniques and processes, including EVMS, CAM, or equivalent.
• Advanced knowledge of implementation and execution of effective risk and opportunity management.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with technical and specialty subject matter experts of varying functional disciplines to drive project outcomes.
• Competent in project management and advisory methodologies.
• Clear verbal and written communication of technical concepts, plans, and actions.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance is required

Professional Certifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Prior experience with a significant focus on project management and leadership.
• Strong technical, leadership, and programmatic foundation with a deep understanding of how projects/programs are run.
• Ability to lead large cross‑functional teams to accomplish high‑impact projects.
• Deep technical expertise and experience in the relevant engineering discipline.Proven leadership skills, including the ability to oversee the technical execution of projects throughout their lifecycle.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to ensure projects are completed within budget and scheduling constraints.
• Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and problem‑solving skills.
• Advanced knowledge of project management techniques and processes, including EVMS, CAM, or equivalent.
• Advanced knowledge of implementation and execution of effective risk and opportunity management.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with technical and specialty subject matter experts of varying functional disciplines to drive project outcomes.
• Competent in project management and advisory methodologies.
• Clear verbal and written communication of technical concepts, plans, and actions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong avionics background.
• Spacecraft electrical systems (Design or Analysis) Experience with systems engineering and integration.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera).
• Experience with CAD software and engineering design tools.
• Knowledge of industry standards and regulations.
• Experience in product lifecycle management (PLM).
• Familiarity with Agile and Lean methodologies.
• Strong analytical and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience in developing and managing project budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• An active Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance.

Compensation

• Pay Range: $173,748.00 - $238,903.50
• 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.
• IMPORTANT NOTICE: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a 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.

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.

About Sierra Space

Headquartered in Colorado, Sierra Space is a mission‑proven Defense Tech company delivering satellite platforms, critical subsystems, reusable spaceplanes, hypersonic technologies, propulsion systems, and infrastructure for the nation’s most critical missions. With more than three decades of heritage and a record of flight‑proven success in space, Sierra Space is trusted by U.S. National Security, Civil customers, and global allies. Our technologies safeguard our nation, sustain human exploration in space, and ensure the freedom of operations beyond Earth. Sierra Space is defining the new era of Space Defense, strengthening deterrence today and preserving freedom of action for generations to come.