Sr Systems Engineer (Flight Operations – Flight Dynamics)

Pace Industries, LLC; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 144,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental plans

Vision plans

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

Job summary

Sierra Space in Louisville, Colorado, seeks a seasoned flight dynamics professional to join the Flight Operations team. The role centers on mission planning, analysis, and execution for Dream Chaser missions, with potential flight controller certification.

You will lead mission design efforts, perform trade studies, and support ground-based navigation while mentoring teammates and collaborating with GNC, systems engineering, and flight operations to validate end-to-end processes using the Flight

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering and 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong background in orbital mechanics and orbit determination.
• Experience operating spacecraft and providing navigation support (e.g., maneuver planning, real-time anomaly resolution).
• Ability to guide ground navigation trades and analysis with subject matter expertise in statistical orbit determination.
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, self-starter, and able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Mission analysis and design: support the mission design process using flight dynamics tools to plan trajectories.
• Ground-based navigation: apply expertise in navigation and orbital determination from concept to operations.
• Mentoring and Leadership: guide a flight dynamics team through design, development, and operations.
• Represent Flight Planning and Design: collaborate across disciplines to integrate and validate processes end-to-end.
• Develop Flight Dynamics Software: participate in development and validation of the Flight Dynamics Tool Suite.

Skills

Orbital mechanics

Ground navigation

Mission design

Flight dynamics

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Aerospace)

Tools

MATLAB

Python

STK

FreeFlyer

Job description

Sierra Space Careers

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

Sierra Space is seeking a candidate with strong experience in spacecraft flight dynamics, mission design, and operations to join the Flight Operations team. In this role, you will work towards becoming a certified Dream Chaser flight controller to support Dream Chaser missions. You'll be responsible for mission planning, mission analysis, and mission execution from our Mission Control Center in Louisville, CO.

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.

Responsibilities

• Mission analysis and design: As a subject matter expert, support the mission design process using the flight dynamics tool suite to perform trade studies and analysis to plan trajectories.
• Ground-based Navigation: Use your experience in ground-based navigation and statistical orbit determination processes, from conceptualization through operational flight support.
• Mentoring and Leadership: Help guide a flight dynamics team through design, development, and operational flight.
• Represent Flight Planning and Design: while collaborating across disciplines (e.g., GNC, systems engineering, flight operations) to integrate and validate mission design processes end-to-end.
• Develop Flight Dynamics Software: Participate in the development and validation of the Flight Dynamics Tool Suite as an end user.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Aerospace or related discipline) and typically 10+ years of relevant experience; a higher-level degree may substitute for experience
• Strong background in orbital mechanics and orbit determination
• Experience in performing spacecraft operations (e.g., navigation support, maneuver planning, or real-time anomaly resolution)
• Demonstrated ability to guide ground navigation trades and analysis, applying subject matter expertise in statistical orbit determination
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, self-starter, and problem-solver comfortable in a fast-paced, changing environment
• Ability to work effectively under pressure as part of a team
• Willingness and ability to pass the flight controller certification and physical, which may be a condition of continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• MATLAB or Python STK or Freeflyer Tool development including a GUI (In any coding language)
• Experience in spacecraft entry, descent and landing operations.
• Technical writing: detailed process documentation.
• Strong foundation in Spacecraft Attitudes

Additional Job Description

Location: This is an on-site position based in Louisville, Colorado.

Hours: This is a full-time position. Some shiftwork will be required during mission operations.

Compensation: Pay Range: $143,700.00 - $197,608.50. 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.

Benefits

• Medical plans
• Dental plans
• Vision plans
• 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%
• Life insurance
• 3 weeks paid time off
• and more

Elevate Your Career At Sierra Space

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

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

Equal Opportunity

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.