Vice President, Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence

Sierra Space is pioneering high-tech team at the forefront of ushering in the next and most profound Industrial Revolution using the foundational tech of microgravity to build transformative applications that will create the next breakthrough innovations in biotech and human health care, advanced materials, energy, and computing systems. We are building an end-to-end platform in space to benefit life on Earth.
We are committed to innovation, collaboration, and excellence, with a goal to make space more accessible for commercial and scientific purposes. Our team of industry - leading experts is driven by passion and guided by a mission to improve life on Erath for billions of people.
Today, Sierra Space leads the world in unique spaceplane systems, in-space infrastructure, and space applications and technology. We are building a software platform that will provide the core operating systems across all our systems and ensure a seamless experience for our customers and empower our partners to develop innovative services that integrate into the Sierra Space ecosystem.
We are currently seeking an experienced and visionary Vice President of Software and Artificial Intelligence to lead our talented team of software professionals. This role requires an individual with extensive expertise in the architecture of multi-device platform-wide operating systems, mission critical systems, and leading programming languages and tools.
As Vice President of Software and Artificial Intelligence, you will lead the entire Sierra Space software engineering team using your skills and expertise develop the overall strategy, technical leadership, and guidance for all phases of the integrated product development process. This includes the early phases of business development, through design and implementation, to sell-off, deployment and support for our products and services. These cover a very wide range from state-of-the-art mission payloads and electronic systems to highly integrated vehicles in all domains.
Your responsibilities include setting business and technical strategy for software products that have high re-use across the company. You will be responsible for implementing a strategy for using artificial intelligence to advance Sierra Space and to advance life on Earth. Enterprise Software Engineering is also responsible creating the standards and processes for engineering design/documentation, risk/opportunity management, quality, and modifications. You will collaborate with business and functional group peers to meet annual goals and business objectives. You will be a change agent for enterprise process and tools modernization projects. You will be accountable for annual engineering strategic planning and budgeting activities. You will provide expertise and guidance to continuously improve processes and procedures and provide technical direction as required.
Sierra Space-based in Louisville, CO with operations in Madison, WI, Durham, NC, Huntsville, AL, Houston, TX, and Kennedy Space Center, FL-designs and manufactures the Dream Chaser spaceplane and other advanced spacecraft, commercial space destinations, 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:

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of software solutions for Sierra Space systems
• Guide the team in AI/ ML methods, autonomous systems, in space robotics, navigation and control systems, digital communication and signal processing capabilities
• Ensure the security and integrity of trusted platform, database management with MySQL, Maria DB, SQL Server
• Drive continuous improvement in application performance, integration, verification, and testing
• Collaborate with cross functional teams to align software strategies and organizational goals
• Foster a culture of innovation and excellence, nurturing the growth and development of the team
• Adapt to various software development methodologies such as Agile / Scrum, Waterfall, or Spiral

Must-haves:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field; Master's degree preferred
• 10+ years of experience in software development with expertise in Java, JavaScript, C, C++, Python, MATLAB, and Simulink
• Demonstrated working knowledge and experience in all phases of design lifecycle management to include requirements, design, integration, test, and sustainment
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of industry best practices and techniques for program management, science, and engineering programs
• Familiarity with Linux and Terraform, Ansible, Puppet, Flask, Docker, Kubernetes
• Proficient in version control software like GIT, ClearCase, or Subversion
• Strong background in hardware, avionics, navigation, & control systems
• Proven experience in embedded software testing, software in the loop (SITL), hardware in the loop (HITL)
• Knowledge of business data & network communications protocol
• Agile mindset, with experience in Agile/Scrum, Waterfall, or Spiral Methodologies
• Exceptional leadership, communications, and problem-solving skills
• Possess broad technical knowledge and experience, working knowledge of industry trends and historical context
• Ability to use insight of the organization's internal and external business environment to improve outcomes; proven ability to drive positive change with continuous improvement
• Ability to quickly grasp technical concepts and understand complex technical and program interdependencies
• Proven leadership, communication, motivation and interpersonal skills, and the ability to manage engineering programs that will include working with individuals with varying disciplines, backgrounds, and experience levels
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and 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 leadership abilities inclusive of successful change management, mentoring, career development, training, succession planning, holding people accountable, and conducting yearly reviews
• Proven experience and skills in team building, time management, conflict reso
• lution, communication, briefing, presentation, and strategic thinking

Preferred:

• Possess a strategic mindset, linking technology and business
• Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry, the US Department of Defense (Civilian), NASA/Civil or commercial space and/or US Military, with an understanding of defense, aerospace, intelligence, and adjacent markets
• The ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• Digital signal processing, time-series analysis, Fourier and spectral analysis, seismic event building
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance may be required 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 25 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

Estimated Starting Salary Range: $246,117.71 - $338,411.86. Sierra Space 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 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.