Project Engineer III (Clearance Required)

Sierra Space; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 119,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) with 150% match

Life insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Sierra Space is seeking a Project Engineer III to lead and execute complex engineering projects, ensuring integration of solutions while balancing cost, scope, and schedule. The role bridges Engineering and Program Office, guiding technical evaluations, risk management, and supplier coordination.

You will mentor junior engineers, provide basis of estimates, and drive continuous improvement within a collaborative team focused on mission-ready space systems.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor’s degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience; Masters +3 yrs acceptable).
• Typically 5+ years of related experience (or Masters +3 years).
• Emerging expertise in systems engineering principles and lifecycle.
• Knowledge of requirements management, derivation, and allocation.
• Familiarity with Verification & Validation principles and system integration.
• Active Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical requirements derivation and verification activities across product lifecycles.
• Develop and implement verification strategies and test plans with traceability to requirements.
• Coordinate scope, cost, and schedule constraints for engineering projects.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to the team.
• Bridge communications between Engineering and Program Office and manage supplier coordination.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements management

V&V principles

Agile & Lean methodologies

Project management & leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

MS Project

Primavera

CAD software

PLM tools

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 Project Engineer III role focuses on leading and executing technical projects, ensuring the successful integration of engineering solutions, and driving innovation within the team. This position requires a strong technical foundation, advanced engineering expertise, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. The role involves overseeing the design, development, and implementation of engineering projects, ensuring they 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 small cross-functional teams and projects, effectively balancing technical, cost, and schedule constraints while overseeing the design, development, and implementation of engineering projects. You will provide technical estimation support to develop Basis of Estimates and ensure projects meet technical specifications and quality standards. Your responsibilities will include conducting trade studies, leading technical evaluations, and providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers. Additionally, you will manage supplier coordination by developing and managing Statements of Work, coordinating with contracts and quality teams, and supporting Risk and Opportunity management on the project. You will communicate and coordinate across engineering and functional teams, delivering clear verbal and written communication of technical concepts, plans, and actions, and effectively communicating project status to both technical and programmatic audiences. Driving innovation and continuous improvement within the engineering team will be a key focus, as will serving as the bridge between Engineering and Program offices to resolve conflicts and represent the voice of all stakeholders, including support functions and customers.

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.

Ground Systems

• Design and maintain ground system architectures including mission operations centers, ground data systems, ground communication networks, and interfaces with launch site infrastructure and tracking stations
• Develop ground software and tools for vehicle monitoring, telemetry processing, command & control, and support pre-launch checkout, mission simulations, and ground rehearsals
• Coordinate ground segment integration with flight systems and ensure end-to-end operational readiness
• Varying scope by level:
  • SE II focuses on subsystem-level tasks and test support;
  • SE III owns segment integration and anomaly resolution;
  • Sr SE defines architecture and leads cross-functional ground system initiatives

Requirements & Verifications

• Derive, decompose, and manage technical requirements from stakeholder needs through system, subsystem, and component levels; manage requirements baseline changes and impact assessments across the product lifecycle
• Develop verification and validation strategies including analysis, inspection, demonstration, and test methods; author verification procedures, test plans, and acceptance criteria aligned to requirements traceability
• Lead requirements reviews, trade studies, and technical audits to ensure completeness, consistency, and compliance
• Varying scope by level:
  • SE II executes verification activities and documents results;
  • SE III leads V&V planning and closure;
  • Sr SE owns requirements architecture and approval authority for complex changes

Space Vehicle Integration

• Plan and execute hardware and software integration activities for spacecraft buses, payloads, and subsystems; coordinate interface control documents (ICDs) and manage technical interfaces across vehicle elements
• Support integration and test campaigns including functional checkout, environmental testing, and system-level qualification; resolve integration anomalies and troubleshooting across mechanical, electrical, thermal, and software domains
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and mission assurance teams to ensure flight readiness
• Varying scope by level:
  • SE II supports hands‑on integration tasks and test readiness;
  • SE III leads integration planning and anomaly resolution;
  • Sr SE defines integration strategy and owns vehicle-level technical risk

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +3 yrs experience).
• Typically 5+ years of related experience (or Masters + 3 years of experience).
• Emerging expertise in Systems Engineering principles and practices, including a thorough understanding of the systems development lifecycle.
• Knowledge of requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation.
• Knowledge of systems architecture, systems integration, and Verification and Validation (V&V) principles.
• Emerging ability to work and communicate with technical and specialty subject matter expert engineers to drive systems engineering products.
• An active Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with increasing responsibilities in project management.
• Professional Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• 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.

Compensation

Pay Range:

$119,064.00 - $163,713.00

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 current/active Secret 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.

Application Deadline

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

Please Note

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.