Sr Manufacturing Engineer - Process Development

Pace Industries, LLC; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 132,933 - 182,782; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision plans

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

Life insurance

3 weeks paid time off

Job summary

Sierra Space, headquartered in Colorado, seeks a Sr Manufacturing Engineer for the Solar Power group to scale solar power assembly and testing for space systems. You will drive process improvements, validate new technologies, and partner with R&D to ensure manufacturability and high-rate production.

The role emphasizes cross-functional leadership, automation, and data-driven optimization across SMT to final assembly, with a focus on manufacturing excellence and high-volume readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Typically 8+ years of manufacturing experience with a focus on process design and optimization.
• Expertise in advanced manufacturing technologies and Industry 4.0 concepts.
• Strong background in manufacturing operations and diagnosing complex issues.
• Proficiency with CAD software (e.g., NX).
• Strong project management skills and ability to lead multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate across all factory processes and workcenters to improve efficiency.
• Identify and lead process changes, design improvements, and automation projects.
• Evaluate and deploy new tools and equipment for rate and capacity gains.
• Program, operate, and train technicians on automated equipment during standup.
• Support workcenter development and layout with industrial engineering teams to optimize flow.
• Coordinate with R&D to scale novel technologies for production.

Skills

Process design

Industrial engineering

Project management

CAD NX

Industry 4.0

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

NX CAD

PowerBI

SQL

Job description

About Sierra Space

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

As a Sr Manufacturing Engineer in the Solar Power group, you will be part of a team responsible for the build and integration of solar array systems that power spacecraft in all sectors of the space economy. Sierra Space has developed and patented novel pick-and-place surface mount solar cell technology which is revolutionizing the way space solar power systems are built. You will be a part of the team that is tasked with scaling the process to enable world‑class high‑volume production and test of solar power systems, ranging from static single‑panel arrays up to large multi‑panel deployable arrays. This is a process improvement focused role, which will have a wide ranging scope of ownership over the implementation of new technologies, processes, equipment, facility build outs, and automation to support aggressive rate targets for the factory. This will include working closely with the R&D team to take novel technologies into production, running manufacturing validation campaigns, developing process requirements, selecting equipment, and coordinating roll out to the floor with the ME and operations teams. This role will touch every workcenter across the factory, from the SMT line to array integration and test, in search of efficiency gains. Additionally, this role will leverage data analytics skills and statistical process control to monitor the factory and identify areas where improvement is required and understand the impact of process changes on key performance metrics.

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.

Key responsibilities

• Working across all processes and workcenters within the factory, including power module manufacturing on the SMT line, power module laydown operations, and solar array integration
• Identifying and spearheading process changes, design improvements and automation projects to support rate and capacity increase initiatives
• Conceptualizing, selecting, and bringing online new tools and equipment to support process improvement initiatives, working closely with production operations, industrial engineering, and facilities
• Program, operate, and train technicians on automated equipment during initial standup
• Assisting with workcenter development and layout alongside the industrial engineering team, to optimize capacity and product flow
• Working closely with the internal R&D team to follow material and process development to ensure new technology is manufacturable and facility and equipment needs are understood
• Translating internal R&D processes into productionized processes and implementing out on the floor
• Guiding specification development associated with process changes
• Training the ME and technician teams on process changes
• Develop and driving implementation of design for manufacturability (DFM) guidelines to maximize standardization and compatibility with existing processes and equipment
• Developing and monitoring production data sources to target areas for process improvement and to understand change impact

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +6 yrs experience).
• Typically 8+ years of related experience.
• Extensive experience in designing and optimizing manufacturing processes.
• Expertise in advanced manufacturing technologies and Industry 4.0 concepts.
• Extensive experience in manufacturing operations.
• Expertise in diagnosing complex manufacturing issues and providing solutions.
• Proficiency in advanced CAD software (ex: NX).
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to lead tasking of manufacturing teams.
• Knowledge of predictive manufacturing techniques, such as process monitoring and analysis.
• Strong project management and budgeting skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Passion for advancing the state of the art of space solar power
• Strong work ethic and drive to succeed
• Experience mentoring and training less experienced team members
• Willingness to work occasional long hours and weekends
• Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start‑up atmosphere
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities
• Demonstrated ability to create and implement processes from the ground up, with strong communication skills to engage a diverse team
• Proven track record in a space or aerospace manufacturing setting.
• Experience working in advanced MES systems
• Experience producing J‑STD‑001 Class 2, IPC‑A‑610 Class 2 or equivalent hardware
• Experience working with space power systems, complex subassembly builds, or vehicle integration
• Experience with surface mount technology and PCBA manufacturing
• Experience with data analysis tools such as SQL and PowerBI

Compensation

Pay Range: $132,933.00 - $182,781.75

IMPORTANT NOTICE

To conform to U.S. Government international trade regulations, applicant must be a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.

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 Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.

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.