Systems Engineer III (Flight Operations - Flight Planning and Design)

Ever dream of flying a spacecraft? Want to be part of an exciting team working in mission control?
Sierra Space is seeking a candidate with a strong background in spaceflight mission planning and operations to join the Flight Operations team. As a member of this team, you will be working towards becoming a certified Dream Chaser flight controller. You'll be responsible for mission planning, training, and execution from our Mission Control Center in Louisville, CO.
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.
This role is responsible for Dream Chaser mission planning and execution in a system integration-level capacity. You will work closely with spacecraft designers, analysts, and other flight control disciplines to integrate end-to-end mission plans and products in the form of timelines, procedures, flight rules, processes, etc. You will develop training products (including lessons, reference materials, and simulation scripts), complete training requirements, and participate in training simulations on your path toward flight controller certification. Upon certification, you will provide real-time mission support from our Mission Control Center.
Candidates should have experience with various phases of mission planning, training, and operations. They must have the ability to work closely with a variety of people with different backgrounds and areas of expertise in order to effectively integrate mission planning products and resolve operational planning challenges. The ideal candidate must be a self-starter and problem-solver who is comfortable working in a fast-paced and often-changing environment with little direction. Candidates with prior experience in system integration, mission design, and real-time operations are encouraged to apply.
While this role is primarily focused on Dream Chaser cargo missions to start, occasional support for other Sierra Space programs may be required at times.
Travel may be required.
Must-haves:

• Bachelor's of Science degree in an Engineering or related discipline and typically 6 or more years of relevant experience. Experience may be considered in lieu of higher education; higher education may be considered in lieu of experience.
• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Strong technical writing skills, including technical review and operations product development.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong background in engineering fundamentals.
• Willingness to learn new subjects and disciplines.
• Clear and concise communication skills.
• Ability to pass the flight controller certification and physical may be a condition of continued employment.

Preferred:

• Prior experience with real-time spaceflight operations and/or training.
• Prior experience with mission planning (ConOps, procedures, flight rules) and/or mission training activities (mission simulations, teaching instructor-led courses, personnel evaluations, etc.).
• Experience using/developing/testing operations tools (displays, scripts).
• Experience in simulation development and testing across multiple spacecraft systems.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure (i.e. during real-time spaceflight operations).
• Ability to explore multiple options, anticipate problems, and implement mitigations.
• Ability to decompose a large complicated problem into manageable pieces, understand such problems from different points of view, and explain issues and solutions to other engineers.
• 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: $101,774.67 - $139,940.19
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.