S

Sierra Space

LEO space transportation, habitats, satellites

Network Systems Integration Engineer 3

Full-Time
$119.1k - $163.7k
Senior
Bachelor's, Master's
Centennial, CO, USA
In Person
IT OperationsNetwork Engineering & Administration
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in a related field, equivalent work experience in lieu of a degree, or a master's degree plus three years of experience.
  • Typically, five or more years of related experience, or a master's degree plus three years of experience.
  • Emerging expertise in systems engineering principles and practices, including a thorough understanding of the systems development lifecycle.
  • Knowledge of requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation.
  • Knowledge of systems architecture, systems integration, and verification and validation principles.
  • Ability to work and communicate with technical and specialty subject matter expert engineers to drive systems engineering products.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for clearance eligibility.
  • Preferred: Emerging expertise in network systems engineering principles and practices, including a thorough understanding of the network architecture and integration lifecycle.
  • Preferred: Knowledge of network requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation for networked systems.
  • Preferred: Knowledge of network architecture, system/network integration, and verification and validation principles, including interface control documents and protocol-level testing.
  • Preferred: Working knowledge of networking protocols and technologies such as TCP/IP, routing and switching, VPN, VLAN, firewalls, and SATCOM/RF data links or similar.
  • Preferred: Understanding of spacecraft and ground network systems, including network hardware and software subsystems and components such as routers, switches, encryption devices, and network management tools.
  • Preferred: Understanding of cybersecurity principles applied to network architecture, including defense in depth, zero trust, and RMF/ATO processes.
  • Preferred: Understanding of project management methodologies, including risk management and technical/network performance tracking.
  • Preferred: Understanding of technical baseline and configuration management for network systems.
  • Preferred: Industry certifications such as CCNA/CCNP, Security+, or Network+.
  • Preferred: Experience leading network integration projects and mentoring junior engineers.
  • Preferred: Problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
  • Preferred: Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
  • Preferred: Currently hold a TS/SCI clearance for classified work.
Responsibilities
  • Specify, architect, and integrate complex network system solutions, including routing, switching, data links, protocols, and network security, in collaboration with cross-functional teams and subject matter experts to understand connectivity, bandwidth, and interoperability requirements and objectives.
  • Derive, decompose, allocate, trace, and manage network requirements and architectures.
  • Define and document network concepts of operation covering data flow, network topology, and interface control.
  • Create network architecture artifacts and deliverables to support development milestone reviews.
  • Oversee network integration and verification activities, including interface testing, protocol validation, and end-to-end connectivity testing, to ensure network functionality and performance.
  • Identify and manage technical risks related to network design, capacity, latency, and cybersecurity, and develop mitigation strategies.
  • Identify areas for network enhancement and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Adhere to network engineering processes, standards, and security requirements, and communicate with team members and stakeholders to support project alignment and execution.
  • Administer COSMOS mission control software by managing user roles and tokens, monitoring system health, and optimizing CPU and memory for Mission Systems' centralized COSMOS instance.
  • Define directory structure and network architecture to enable self-service user onboarding and eliminate ta1 account wait times.
  • Determine IP and rack requirements and validate site capacity before connection.
  • Coordinate with database management on data scrubbing and archival.
  • Evaluate the Artifactory container deployment model across program repositories and recommend improvements.
  • Coordinate COSMOS version updates with Cyber/IT and test teams, including classified-environment rollout.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for COSMOS-related security requirements between test IT and Cyber/IT.
  • May lead small teams executing network integration scope.
Desired Qualifications
  • Preferred qualifications include emerging expertise in network systems engineering principles and practices, including a thorough understanding of the network architecture and integration lifecycle.
  • Knowledge of network requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation for networked systems.
  • Knowledge of network architecture, system/network integration, and verification and validation principles, including interface control documents and protocol-level testing.
  • Working knowledge of networking protocols and technologies such as TCP/IP, routing and switching, VPN, VLAN, firewalls, and SATCOM/RF data links or similar.
  • Understanding of spacecraft and ground network systems, including network hardware and software subsystems and components such as routers, switches, encryption devices, and network management tools.
  • Understanding of cybersecurity principles applied to network architecture, including defense in depth, zero trust, and RMF/ATO processes.
  • Understanding of project management methodologies, including risk management and technical/network performance tracking.
  • Understanding of technical baseline and configuration management for network systems.
  • Industry certifications such as CCNA/CCNP, Security+, or Network+ are a plus.
  • Experience leading network integration projects and mentoring junior engineers.
  • Problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
  • Currently hold a TS/SCI clearance for classified work.

About the company

Sierra Space provides a space-as-a-service platform in low-Earth orbit with three main divisions: Transportation (Dream Chaser spaceplane), Destinations (LIFE inflatable habitat), and Applications (satellite buses such as Velocity, Horizon, and Titan) for government and commercial customers, including NASA and the DoD. Dream Chaser is a reusable lifting-body spaceplane that carries cargo (and future crew), launches with a detachable Shooting Star module, and can land on conventional runways for rapid cargo access. The LIFE habitat is an inflatable, three-story module that can operate in LEO, on the Moon, or for Mars missions and feeds into the Orbital Reef commercial space station concept with Blue Origin. The company aims to enable a growing LEO economy by delivering integrated space infrastructure and services—transportation, habitats, and satellite platforms—for government missions, commercial activity, and secure national space capabilities.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Series C

Total Funding

$2.3B

Headquarters

Louisville, Colorado

Founded

2021

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Sierra Space closed a $550 million Series C on March 5, 2026, valuing it at $8 billion.
  • Jeff Schrader became CFO on June 30, 2026, adding Lockheed Martin Space and Air Force discipline.
  • Warren Jenson joined the board on September 23, 2026, strengthening audit and capital oversight.

What critics are saying

  • NASA dropped Dream Chaser's ISS obligation in 2025, killing guaranteed resupply revenue.
  • Dream Chaser's first flight slipped repeatedly since 2022, and launch remains TBD in September 2026.
  • Vulcan backlog and booster problems at ULA threaten Tenacity's late-2026 launch window.

What makes Sierra Space unique

  • Dream Chaser is the only runway-landing commercial spaceplane with <1.5g cargo return, September 2026.
  • Sierra Space won $798 million on July 13, 2026 for 18 Golden Dome tracking satellites.
  • The September 2, 2026 inaugural flight manifest mixes national security, commercial, and NASA payloads.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Paid Vacation

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-1%

1 year growth

-4%

2 year growth

-1%
Yahoo Finance
Oct 15th, 2026
Space firms raise $11.3B in six months and snap up factories and campuses on Earth

Space companies are snapping up factories and campuses on Earth as investment in the sector surges. Firms such as Varda Space Industries, Sierra Space and Astranis raised $11.3B in venture capital in the first half of the year, and global private venture investment in space is expected to hit a record $100B this year. Demand is most intense in South Bay, Los Angeles. Varda leased a 205,000 SF former Mattel factory in El Segundo in March, and JLL's Mac Burridge is tracking 5M SF of advanced manufacturing demand there. New spaces can take up to 24 months to get enough power. Florida and Texas are also seeing new projects. Blue Origin announced a 1.3M SF, $550M satellite manufacturing campus in Hutto, Texas, promising 2,000 jobs. The US Department of Transportation expects 10,000 annual launches and reentries by 2035, up from 250 in 2025.

IR Impact
Sep 24th, 2026
People moves: Rithm Capital brings in Ann DeVries as head of IR and Ati Modak joins MasTec.

People moves: Rithm Capital brings in Ann DeVries as head of IR and Ati Modak joins MasTec. September 24, 2026 Plus changes in the IR teams at PPG, Suja Life and more. Alternative asset manager Rithm Capital has appointed Ann DeVries as its new head of investor relations. She joins the NYSE-listed firm with 25 years of IR and strategic finance experience, most recently serving as head of strategic finance and investor relations at Banc of California. Prior to that, she was head of IR at Bakkt, where she built the financial technology firm's IR function from the ground up during its first years as a publicly traded company. Earlier in her career, DeVries spent 16 years at JPMorgan Chase, serving in a variety of senior roles across investment banking, corporate finance and investor relations. 'Ann's appointment reflects the continued momentum of its integrated platform and the growing interest IR Impact is seeing from shareholders and third-party investors in understanding how its asset management business and operating companies work together,' says Michael Nierenberg, Rithm's CEO. 'I am thrilled to join Rithm at this exciting inflection point. The firm's fast-growing asset management business, combined with its scaled operating companies, sets it apart from other alternative managers,' adds DeVries. Meanwhile, Coral Gables, Florida-based infrastructure firm MasTec has brought in Ati Modak as its new vice president of investor relations. He joins from Goldman Sachs, where he served as vice president, equity research, energy services, covering companies across the traditional and new energy sectors. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs in 2019, he worked at Citi. José Mas, MasTec's CEO, says: 'We are pleased to welcome Ati to the MasTec family. He brings a unique combination of deep knowledge of the infrastructure services sector, familiarity with the companies and markets in which we compete and a broad perspective on the trends shaping our industry.' Over in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specialty paint maker PPG has promoted Alex Lopez to the role of vice president, investor relations and operational finance. Lopez has held a variety of finance roles of increasing responsibility during his 20 years with PPG, most recently as director, investor relations. In this expanded role, Lopez will continue to lead investor relations while assuming responsibility for enterprise operational finance. Prior to joining PPG, he held financial planning and liaison roles for GE Appliances and its joint venture Mabe as part of their financial management program. In Oceanside, California, beverage maker Suja Life has brought in Michael Mougias as its new head of IR and public relations. Mougias brings more than 15 years of capital markets and public company experience spanning investor relations, financial planning and analysis, corporate development and strategic communications. He joins Suja after working at BARK as vice president of IR and FP&A, prior to which he held senior IR and finance roles at tZero and IMAX Corporation. 'Mike brings deep public company experience and a strong understanding of the capital markets at an important point in Suja Life's evolution,' says Maria Stipp, Suja Life's CEO. 'As IR Impact continue to establish Suja Life in the public markets, his experience will be valuable in deepening its engagement with shareholders, sharpening how IR Impact communicate its strategy and building greater awareness of Suja's long-term growth strategy.' Finally, several more moves were announced on LinkedIn this week: Jason Gursky has joined Sierra Space as vice president, investor relations; Christian D'Souza will head up the IR team at Chipotle Mexican Grill; Zack Kubow has joined Corvus Pharmaceuticals as vice president, investor relations and corporate communications; David Barma has moved to NN Group as its new head of investor relations; Alexander Valentine has joined Jefferies as vice president of investor relations; Edison Nguyen has started a new role as manager, investor relations at Torex Gold Resources; and Brenda Dayton has joined Andean Precious Metals as its vice president, investor relations. Open IR positions Each week, IR Impact will post a selection of IR jobs from around the internet that are currently recruiting. If you have an open position in your IR team that you'd like IR Impact to feature here, please let IR Impact know at [email protected] North America * Anja Siehler is hiring a senior investor relations manager at German firm Nordex Group. * German firm Mercor wants a new investor relations specialist. * In Italy, Campari Group is searching for a group investor relations intern. * Dutch firm ASM wants a manager, investor relations. * Finnair is hiring a manager, investor relations.

PR Newswire
Sep 23rd, 2026
Sierra Space appoints Warren Jenson to board as audit committee chair

Sierra Space has appointed Warren Jenson to its board of directors, where he will chair the audit committee. Jenson brings over 30 years of financial and operational leadership experience from companies including Amazon, Electronic Arts, Delta Air Lines, and NBC. He currently serves as chief financial officer of Polymarket and previously held president and CFO roles at Nielsen and LiveRamp. Jenson also serves on the boards of DigitalOcean, Ripple, and Dropbox, chairing audit committees at DigitalOcean and Dropbox. Sierra Space, a defence-tech space company headquartered in Colorado, designs and manufactures satellites, space transportation vehicles, and space subsystems. The company has supported over 500 missions across its three-decade history, serving national security, civil, and commercial customers.

PR Newswire
Sep 2nd, 2026
Sierra Space secures national security and commercial contracts for Dream Chaser's inaugural flight

Sierra Space has secured contracts with undisclosed national security and commercial customers to carry payloads on Dream Chaser's inaugural flight. The reusable spaceplane will serve national security, commercial, and civil customers through NASA's Cargo Resupply Services programme on a single mission. Dream Chaser is the only commercial spaceplane capable of returning cargo from orbit at less than 1.5g and landing on any 737-capable runway. Its unique pressurized volume and controlled runway return allow customers to fly hardware with partial space certification rather than full environmental qualification, reducing development costs. The spacecraft will launch from Kennedy Space Center, conduct multiday orbital operations, and land at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Sierra Space is finalising the manifest with defence, civil, and commercial payloads for the mission.

PR Newswire
Aug 3rd, 2026
Leidos to supply flight-proven infrared sensors to Sierra Space for 18 missile defence satellites

Sierra Space has selected Leidos to provide infrared sensing payloads for 18 missile warning and tracking satellites as part of the Accelerated Missile Defense Tranche 3 (AMDT3) Tracking Layer programme. The satellites will detect and track hypersonic and other advanced missile threats from low Earth orbit. Leidos' payloads combine infrared sensing with onboard digital signal processing, enabling mission-relevant tracking data to be generated directly aboard the satellite. The company will also provide ground support equipment and operations support throughout the programme. The award extends Leidos' contributions across Space Development Agency tranches 0, 1, and 2. The company's four Tranche 0 payloads have operated successfully since 2023, and it is delivering 14 sensors for Tranche 1 and 16 for Tranche 2.