Space Segment Lead (Clearance Required)

Sierra Space; Louisville (CO); On-site; USD 173,748 - 238,903; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) with 150% match

3 weeks paid time off

Job summary

Sierra Space in Louisville, Colorado, is seeking an experienced individual to own the end-to-end delivery of a spacecraft, ensuring compliance with mission specifications and budget constraints. With a focus on Systems Engineering principles, the successful candidate will manage critical technical interfaces and support testing and launch preparations.

The ideal candidate possesses a Bachelor's degree and at least 15 years of relevant experience, with an active U.S. Security Clearance required for this position. Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package are offered.

Qualifications

• Typically 15+ years of related experience or Masters + 13 years.
• Ability to drive multidisciplinary system development initiatives.
• Advanced expertise in Systems Engineering principles and practices.
• Expertise in systems architecture and V&V activities.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end delivery of the spacecraft.
• Define and trace technical requirements from mission-level objectives.
• Manage critical interfaces between the satellite bus and the payload.
• Support AIT flows and guide environmental ground testing.
• Direct acquisition and management of major contractors and suppliers.
• Track technical performance metrics and manage schedules.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project management

Communication

Problem-solving

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

About the Role

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.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end delivery of the spacecraft from kick-off to final handover, ensuring compliance with mission specifications, technical baselines, and cost constraints. Develop and maintain space segment schedule, budget, and resource plans.
• Define, flow down, and trace the space segment technical requirements from mission-level objectives with support of Systems engineering; author the comprehensive Verification and Validation (V&V) matrix to systematically prove spacecraft compliance through analysis, inspection, demonstration, and environmental qualification testing.
• Manage critical interfaces between the satellite bus and the payload, driving resolution of technical conflicts across hardware and software teams.
• Support Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) flows, guiding environmental ground testing (vibration, thermal vacuum) and launch campaign preparations.
• Direct the acquisition and management of major bus contractors, payload providers, and subsystem suppliers, including statements of work (SOWs) and acceptance reviews.
• Track technical performance metrics, define risk mitigation strategies, and manage the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) to prevent schedule slips.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for stakeholders, communicating design status and handling programmatic deliverables.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +13 years experience).
• Typically 15+ years of related experience (or Masters + 13 years of experience).
• Ability to drive multidisciplinary system development initiatives, architect comprehensive systems integrating multiple sub-systems.
• Advanced expertise in Systems Engineering principles and practices, including a comprehensive understanding of the systems development lifecycle.
• Robust experience across multiple system development life cycles, including requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation.
• Expertise in developing systems architecture and performing systems integration, verification, and validation (V&V) activities.
• Ability to contribute to corporate Systems Engineering policy and process definition and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with technical and specialty subject matter expert engineers to drive systems engineering products.
• An active Secret or above U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Technical Knowledge:

• Solid understanding of spacecraft subsystems (CDH, Comm, EPS, GNC, Prop, SMS, TCS).
• Demonstrated experience establishing and managing Space Segment TPMs, aggressively tracking subsystem margins, and implementing corrective action plans when technical budgets approach critical thresholds.
• Knowledge of orbital mechanics, space environment, and mission design.
• Familiarity with space industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Understanding of systems engineering processes and lifecycle management.
• Experience with spacecraft test and integration processes.

Skills:

• Strong technical leadership and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Effective communication with technical teams, customers, and executives.
• Problem‑solving and critical thinking in complex system environments.
• Budget management and resource allocation expertise.

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 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.

Benefits

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.