Sr Software Engineer, Product Owner - Ground Software

Sierra Space; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 156,666 - 215,436; 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 Sr. Software Engineer to design, develop, and test software applications for space systems. This role will require expertise in multiple programming languages and the ability to implement complex software systems while ensuring code quality and adherence to best practices.

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills and extensive experience with software development methodologies, along with the ability to make design decisions that impact program outcomes. The position includes a competitive compensation range of $156,666.00 - $215,436.75 and a generous benefits package.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent work experience.
• Typically, 8+ years of related experience.
• Ability to design, architect, and implement complex software systems.
• Experience with Agile and Scrum/Kanban methodologies.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test software applications for space systems.
• Write clean, maintainable code adhering to best practices.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to team members.
• Make high-level design decisions impacting program cost and schedule.

Skills

Deep expertise in multiple programming languages

Software development principles

Strong leadership skills

Experience with Agile methodologies

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent work experience

Tools

Git

Python

C++

Java

Job description

About the Role

The Sr. Software Engineer role involves designing, developing, and testing software applications for space systems and technologies. This advanced position requires deep expertise in multiple programming languages, an advanced understanding of software development principles, and the ability to design, architect, and implement complex software systems. The role includes writing clean, maintainable code, collaborating with team members to understand project requirements, and contributing to the development of innovative software solutions. Additionally, this position may involve providing technical leadership, mentorship, and making high‑level design decisions that significantly impact program cost, schedule, and technical performance.

In this role, you will design, develop, and test software applications for space systems and technologies while writing clean, maintainable code that adheres to best practices and coding standards. You will architect and implement complex software systems to meet project requirements and collaborate with team members to understand project needs, contributing to the development of effective software solutions. Utilizing version control systems such as Git, you will manage code changes and work collaboratively with team members. You will participate in code reviews to ensure code quality and adherence to development standards, troubleshoot and resolve software‑related issues in a timely manner, and document software configurations, processes, and procedures for future reference. Staying current with industry trends and advancements in software development and space technologies will be essential. Additionally, you will provide technical leadership, mentorship, and support to team members, making high‑level design decisions that have significant impacts on program cost, schedule, and technical performance.

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 master’s +6 years experience).
• Typically, 8+ years of related experience.
• Deep expertise in multiple programming languages and software development principles.
• Ability to design, architect, and implement complex software systems.
• Experience with different software development methodologies such as Agile and Scrum/Kanban.
• Strong leadership skills to lead a team of engineers.
• Ability to make high‑level design decisions that will have significant impacts on program cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Own the product backlog and roadmap development, translating business requirements and customer needs into well‑defined user stories while ensuring technical feasibility and alignment with architectural vision.
• Drive prioritization decisions across competing features and technical requirements, collaborating with stakeholders to balance business value, technical constraints, and resource availability.
• Serve as the bridge between technical teams and business stakeholders, effectively communicating product vision, requirements, and trade‑offs while advocating for engineering best practices and sustainable development.
• Experience with kernel‑level programming.
• Proficiency in programming languages (Python, C++, Java) and their ecosystems.
• In‑depth knowledge of scripting languages and automation tools.
• Proven experience with software development methodologies such as Agile or Kanban/Scrum.
• Exceptional analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Superior communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large‑scale software projects from inception to completion.
• Strong strategic thinking and decision‑making skills.
• Strong analytical skills, performance profiling, and debugging complex systems.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, and efficient with collaborative tools (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket) and development ceremonies (daily standup, backlog grooming, work planning, task estimation, retrospectives, etc.).
• Ability to write and maintain technical documentation.
• Experience with continuous integration and automated test.
• Knowledge of and experience implementing Software Design Patterns.
• Familiarity with SysML/UML to create software designs.
• Experience utilizing and setting up static analysis tools.

Compensation

$156,666.00 - $215,436.75

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.

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.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

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.