Test Operations Build Lead - Dream Chaser Cargo Vehicles

Are you looking to advance your career and flex your leadership and manufacture/test operations expertise in a fast-paced and rewarding organization? Join us! As an Operations Manager I, you'll support the development of the strategic goals for one or more areas in operations by overseeing and managing manufacturing operations, production control, product engineering, manufacturing engineering, equipment engineering, inventory control, and materials functions, such as purchasing, and shipping/receiving activities. You'll improve technologies, and resolve problems in conjunction with manufacturing, quality assurance, and engineering. Your duties will also include translating customer requirements into state-of-the-art manufacturing strategies and processes, resulting in cost-effective processing and profitable manufacturing of company products, developing operations-related plans, budgets, and policies and procedure and ensuring the operations environment is safe and in compliance with all regulations in regards to the production facility.
SNC's subsidiary, 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
Primary Responsibilities:

• Represent the Test Engineering function in production environment for first article spacecraft build/test
• Focal point for test integration and strategy during manufacturing phase of Dream Chaser vehicles
• Focal point on design for testability/operability leveraging relationships within the design and systems engineering organizations
• Maintain productive relationships and influence others outside their immediate area of responsibility

Must-haves:

• Bachelors of Science degree in Engineering or other related discipline with 5 or more years of experience in first article flight hardware test environment and 4-6 years of Operations Management. Related experience may be considered in lieu of required education.
• Thorough understanding of and experience with the practical application of production/manufacturing/test principles, techniques and best practices
• Ability to represent and integrate test organization needs into production schedule and coordinate with manufacturing build teams.
• Ability to understand complex technical schematics, CAD models, diagrams, blueprints, manuals and/or publications
• Ability to interpret complex test plans, test procedures, and test article build configurations in order to demonstrate test readiness.
• Previous supervisory experience; the ability to recruit employees, assign, direct, and evaluate their work and oversee the development and maintenance of staff competence

Preferred:

• Understanding of Assembly, Integration and Test practices
• Experience with mechanical, structural, and environmental testing of large aerospace assemblies, mechanical systems, mechanisms, and structures.
• Experience testing pressurized systems, including propulsion, life support, and cooling systems.
• Experience with fluid systems test equipment to include proof/leak/NDE of mechanical tube joints, precision cleaning and contamination control, and servicing equipment for flight loading of pressurized fluid systems.
• Experience with electrical test equipment to include test racks, cables, instrumentation, and data acquisition and associated calibration/maintenance.
• Experience with mechanical ground support equipment to include mechanism installation/rigging tools, zero-G offloaders, and critical lift handling equipment.
• Experience with testing of actuators, motors, and associated controllers to include closed loop control systems.
• Familiarity with Product and Quality Assurance principles and experienced in generation and disposition of product non-conformances
• Experience performing certification testing for various certification organizations (i.e. FAA, NASA, DoD)
• Familiarity with Lean, Six-sigma, and/or Theory of Constraints Manufacturing Principles
• Ability to identify waste in a process and then aggressively drive that waste out of that process
• Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry, the US Department of Defense or US Military
• 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: $104,827.91 - $144,138.38
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.