Sr. Systems Engineer- Flight Planning & Design

Become part of our team developing the first independent commercial space station. This space station is based on our expandable LIFE™ habitat, serviced by Dream Chaser® spaceplane, and will provide the facilities and services for commercial research, manufacturing and tourism.
Sierra Space is seeking a candidate with a strong background in systems engineering and spaceflight or space station operations to manage personnel and the technical development of the Flight Planning & Designs team within the Flight Operations Segment. As manager of the Flight Planning & Design team, you will be responsible for ensuring your team is providing appropriate technical requirements, feedback, and trade study support for Orbital Reef and internal programs. You will also be responsible for the processes, products, and development of training materials used to integrate with the Sierra Space mission control center (MCC), ground segment, and interfaces with external partners.
Ideal candidate will have experience with various phases of a program, from early design and mission development through training and operations and have the ability to work closely with space station designers to ensure the end product is operable and capable of performing the intended mission. Working knowledge of space station systems/ISS systems, including crew and mission control center operator tasking is highly desirable. The candidate must also be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and be willing to take the initiative to drive solutions with sometimes little direction.
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
Primary Responsibilities:

• Support development of task analysis of crew, MCC flight controllers, and autonomous functions
• Identify and support development of flight dynamics & planning tools and procedures, both internal to Sierra Space and with external partners
• Derive requirements relating to flight operations needs to support cross-team system development both internal to Sierra Space and with external partners
• Support ConOps development in conjunction with Systems Engineering team and with external partners
• Provide materials and input to support cross-segment trade studies
• Support crew time iterative analyses
• Identify and create procedures supporting on-orbit operations for both crew and MCC operators
• Evaluate and influence design of processes, mission control console & crew tools, displays, and supporting software
• As program mature, will include real-time mission support in our mission control center & may include training to become a certified flight controller should the candidate qualify and show interest in pursuing role
• Support hiring and management of additional personnel within Flight Planning & Design team as program grows

Must-haves:

• Bachelors of Science degree in an Engineering or related discipline and typically 10 (ten) or more years of relevant experience; higher education may be considered in lieu of experience; experience may be considered in lieu of higher education
• Technical writing and review skills, including operations product development
• Demonstrated experience briefing technical subjects to both technical and non-technical people and delivering key messages and insights from analysis products
• Understanding of engineering fundamentals and a willingness to learn new disciplines
• Ability to decompose a large complicated problem into manageable pieces, understand different points of view, and explain issues and solutions to others with diverse technical backgrounds
• An understanding of requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, allocation, and verification
• Clear and concise communication skills

Preferred:

• Prior experience working on a human spaceflight program
• Prior experience with mission planning (ConOps, procedures, flight rules, etc...)
• Prior experience with orbital spaceflight operations (Satellites, ISS, etc...)
• Prior experience with software tools development
• Prior experience working in multi-disciplinary teams
• Prior experience writing requirements
• 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.
Estimated Starting Salary Range: $120,552.10 - $165,759.14
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.
As COVID-19 continues to significantly impact our employees, families and communities, we are taking action to address the increased risk and uncertainty COVID-19 and associated variants pose in the workplace. SNC is committed to supporting our employees while ensuring we continue to meet essential national security needs of our country.
With employee health and safety as our top priority, and as a federal contractor, SNC will continue to require COVID-19 vaccination status for all employees including new hires. In accordance with applicable requirements, all current and newly hired employees who are unvaccinated may be required to adhere to enhanced onsite safety protocols including weekly COVID-19 testing, face coverings, and social distancing.
The status of applicable COVID-19 vaccination requirements are subject to change depending on applicable court orders and the course of ongoing litigation. Candidates may later be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or have an approved exemption.
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.