Lead Build Engineer - Structures

As a Lead Build Engineer on the Dream Chaser team, you are responsible for developing the processes to make a highly advanced spacecraft as efficiently as possible. This role will require the ability to adapt between design and manufacturing engineering, while also being directly involved with the build to ensure our teams are constantly improving. As lead of this team, you would get the chance to own the build of large spacecraft systems such as primary and secondary structures, electrical systems, thermal protective systems, and mechanisms. Effective leadership in this position will ensure that the team is feeling a sense of ownership to improve the spacecraft design and build process to meet aggressive timelines while maintaining a positive and rewarding company culture.
Sierra Space, based in Louisville, Colorado with operations in Madison, Wisconsin and Durham, North Carolina, 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
Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of talented manufacturing engineers to realize the build of new spacecraft
• Review engineering design for producibility.
• Design and fabricate tools and fixtures to facilitate vehicle installations
• Ability to decide between a mix of permanent tooling, temporary tooling and metrology to complete these builds in aggressive timelines
• Develop and manage the build sequence, work instruction, manufacturing bill of materials, and tooling for a specific subsystem of the vehicle build.
• Support the production floor during build, integration, and test phases of the product lifecycle.
• Apply manufacturing technologies and industry best practices during the design and development of new product and processes.
• Ability to identify waste in a process and then aggressively drive that waste out of that process
• Maintain productive relationships and influence others outside their immediate responsible area

Must-haves:

• Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace or related discipline and typically 7 or more years of relevant experience
• Experience with Computer Aided Engineering tools
• Knowledge of engineering principles and practices
• Familiarity working in multi-disciplinary teams
• Relevant work experience may substitute for required education.

Preferred:

• Proven track record of leading a technical based team including hiring, coaching & developing a high performance team within a changing environment.
• Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry. Specifically in large vehicle assembly and integration.
• Experience with work instruction/traveler development
• Participation in dispositions of Non-Conformance generation through a Material Review Board (MRB)
• Experience with new product introduction and transition to production
• Exposure to Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Manufacturing Execution System (MES), and Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) systems
• Proven track record of building a technical based team including hiring, coaching & developing a high performance team within a changing environment.
• Experience working with a design engineering organization and providing design feedback to influence the design from a manufacturability, sourceability and cost perspective.
• Ability to make decisions and operate in the grey without all the information and data available that might be desired.
• Exposure to a wide variety of manufacturing processes both bespoke one off prototype processes and higher volume rate production. Including machining, composite fabrication, structural assembly & testing
• Comfortable working on the factory floor with engineers and technicians to realize or improve all aspects of production.
• Development and implementation of systems within a highly technical startup environment
• Position may require extended work hours to support 24/7 build operations
• Flexibility to travel during test and launch campaigns
• Knowledge of industry standard design principles, to include, but not limited to parametric design, model-based definition, material hardware selection, manufacturing and production processes
• Experience with wire harness routing, integration, and testing.
• Experience with avionics installation and integration.
• Exposure to Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) and clean room environments.
• Experience with thermal protection systems or RTV bonding processes
• Familiarity in applying and interpreting Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance may be required 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.
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.
Physical/Mental/Emotional Requirements:

• Frequently walk, sit, stand, climb stairs and steps
• Frequently repeat same hand, arm, and finger motion many times to include finger and hand dexterity
• Rarely lifting or carrying up to 20 lbs.

Working Conditions:

• Rarely exposed to outdoor elements (high/low temperatures, sun, rain/snow, etc.)
• Rarely exposed to fumes or hazardous chemicals/materials
• Rarely exposed to loud noises

Referral Bonus:
$1,500
Estimated Starting Salary Range: $91,154.71 - $125,337.72. SNC considers several factors when extending job offers, including but not limited to candidates' key skills, relevant work experience, and education/training/certifications.
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.