Director Programs (Rendezvous & Proximity Operations)

Accelerating the Orbital Systems and Services business with a Rendezvous and Proximality Program Operations (RPO). Sierra Space's Orbital Systems and Services (OSS) division focuses on the design, build, and operations of small satellites in support of commercial services and national security space. The Director of RPO will be responsible for the development and product management. This position will include the cost, schedule and technical management for the development of the RPO product supporting the OSS team. This role will include partnering with the supply chain, managing vertical content, managing software and hardware development and most importantly managing the recurring price targets and driving aggressive cost and schedule targets. This role will lead the Product-Capability Line for RPO (Remote Prox Ops) which is a key sub-system in just about every one of the products coming out of all the Sierra Space business. This is a specialized GNC function, will be setting up strategy to build RPO capability, make buy decisions, business and execution focused, needing heavy engineering/technical background.
Sierra Space, based in Louisville, Colorado with operations in Madison, Wisconsin, Durham, North Carolina, and Kennedy Space Center, Florida, designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft, satellites, propulsion and environmental systems, spacecraft subsystems and components for the U.S. government (including NASA), commercial customers and international organizations. Learn more about Sierra Space
Must Haves:• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Management, Finance or a related field• Relevant experience may substitute for required education• Thorough knowledge and understanding of program management, science, aerospace and/or engineering programs• Prior experience leading a team of Program Managers and the programs they are managing; ability to recruit employees; assign, direct, and evaluate their work; and oversee career development, succession planning, performance management, coaching, mentoring, as well as holding people accountable• Experience directing the preparation of proposals, business plans, specifications, and approves basis of estimates and rough order of magnitudes for potential pursuits and ensuring all resources such as engineering, manpower, production and facilities are available to support the program• Demonstrated working knowledge of managing the cost, schedule and technical performance requirements of multiple programs through all phases from inception to completion• Proven track-record developing, communicating and executing to meet financial forecasts• Extensive experience with the development of tactical and strategic business growth strategy• Responsible for high-level relationship management internally (executive leadership, peers, support functions, and subordinates) and external customers; Interact internally with leaders and customers on business matters and partners with functional leadership towards success and continuous improvement• Responsible for customer satisfaction, maintaining customer communication, and the overall management of the customer relationship to determine needs, requirements and new business opportunities• Ability to manage complex situations, delegate authority, lead and inspire your team, drive innovative thinking, instill collaboration, drive for success, challenge status quo and demonstrate ability to adapt to dynamic situations• Proven experience and skills in team building, time management, conflict resolution, communication, briefing, presentation, strategic thinking, marketing, and literacy in the program management disciplines• Familiarity with managing projects requiring Earned Value Management• Strong communication skills, including the ability to clearly express technical concepts in verbal and written forms; ability to tailor conversations to adapt to technical vs. non-technical audiences• Proven ability to solve highly complex problems with significant business impact
Preferred: • Typically, 10-12+ years of relevant experience; 7+ years demonstrated program management experience• Previous ownership of P&L responsibilities• Previous management experience that includes understanding in Financial Management, Business Operations, Strategic Planning, Contracts, Risk Management, and Proposal Development• Ability to motivate others with a shared sense of vision or purpose.• Ability to quickly grasp technical concepts and understand complex technical and program interdependencies• Possess a strategic mindset, linking technology and business• Understanding of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)/Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARS) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) compliance• Working knowledge of Program Management Institute Program Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and/or Program Management Professional (PMP) Certification• Prior experience managing projects using Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), agile and or spiral development models• Ability to lead Program Management process and tool improvement for the Business Unit• Ability to establish centralized, coordinating body for program concerns, recommendations, and issues; developing recommended process improvements; facilitating opportunities with corporate• Ability to establish new and further refining existing templates, tools, and guidelines for program documentation and execution• Experience with ensuring compliance with ISO 9001:2000 Policies and Processes• Active Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required for this position. Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances
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.
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top-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.
With 30+ years of proven spaceflight heritage, Sierra Space has provided more than 4,000 space systems, subsystems and components to customers worldwide, and participated in more than 500 missions to space, including to Mars. The company has technology in production and in development to enable space habitats for short- and long-duration space travel, a fleet of Dream Chaser spaceplanes, and the first free-flying commercial space station. Please visit www.sierraspace.com to learn more about Sierra Space, its business areas, capabilities, programs, products and services.
Estimated Starting Salary Range: $186,100.35 - $255,887.98
Sierra Space offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.
Sierra Space offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 8%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more.
At Sierra Space, our mission is to dream, innovate, inspire and empower the next generation to transform humanity through technology and imagination. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we welcome our employees to bring their whole selves to their work. Sierra Space is committed to fostering an inclusive, accepting, and diverse environment free of discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Contributions to Sierra Space come in many shapes and styles, and we believe diversity in our workforce fosters new and greater ways to dream, innovate, and inspire.