Full-Time

Flight Operations Lead

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Sierra Space

Sierra Space

1,001-5,000 employees

Develops space vehicles and stations

Aerospace
Defense

Compensation Overview

$159.4k - $219.2kAnnually

Expert

No H1B Sponsorship

Centennial, CO, USA + 1 more

More locations: Broomfield, CO, USA

US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required

Category
Flight Dynamics
Space & Rocket Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Requirements
  • Bachelor's of Science degree in System Engineering or related discipline and typically 14 or more years of relevant experience
  • Demonstrated knowledge of engineering principles and practices
  • Experience working in multi-disciplinary design and development teams
  • Thorough understanding of requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation; systems design, systems integration, technical risk identification and management strategies, and Verification and Validation (V&V) principles
  • An active Top Secret with SCI eligibility U.S. Security Clearance is required
Responsibilities
  • Lead the Mission Operations and Sustainment team with technical expertise and strong leadership qualities
  • Manage mission operations requirements, including decomposition, allocation, verification, and validation
  • Develop and validate mission operations products, tools, and operator training material
  • Formulate comprehensive operational plans covering all mission phases, from pre-launch to mission conclusion
  • Create and maintain a pre-launch simulation environment to verify operational procedures and subsystem functionality
  • Plan spacecraft operations, including launch and on-orbit activities
  • Guide rehearsals, test events, and early operations, while tracking technical progress
  • Verify and validate mission operations through various testing methods and provide leadership and guidance within project teams
Desired Qualifications
  • Proficiency in mission operations, spacecraft commissioning, and payload or subsystem design
  • Strong background in mission management, command and control, and mission data processing
  • Knowledge of ground systems, terminals, and infrastructure
  • Experience in mission integration, operations readiness, rehearsals, and launch support
  • Familiarity with systems engineering processes, including requirements development and change management
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively within a team
  • Additional experience in developing mission operations products and ground system artifacts
  • Background in software, hardware engineering, integration, test engineering, or related disciplines
  • Proficiency with simulation tools, test benches, or FlatSats
  • Experience with Atlassian Tools such as Confluence and Jira
  • Ability to train Spacecraft Engineers and Online Operations Engineers effectively
  • Proficiency with Command and Control (C2) and mission planning software
  • Experience with NASA and US government spacecraft and mission requirements
  • Familiarity with commercial satellite communications networks and ground systems
  • Demonstrated ability to translate requirements into design and to solve complex technical challenges
  • A record of successful product and mission management
  • A combined 10 years’ experience in spacecraft operations, mission profile design, and/or systems engineering
  • Capacity to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced collaborative environment

Sierra Space creates solutions for space exploration and development, focusing on aerospace and defense. The company develops advanced space vehicles, including the Dream Chaser spaceplane, which can land on conventional runways, making it suitable for transporting cargo and crew to and from space. Sierra Space is also working on space stations designed for long-duration human spaceflight and scientific research. Their technology includes advanced life support systems and propulsion technologies like the VORTEX engines, which are vital for safe and sustainable human space missions. Unlike competitors, Sierra Space emphasizes versatility and practical applications in its designs. The goal is to enhance life on Earth and shape the future of humanity through space exploration.

Company Stage

Series B

Total Funding

$1.7B

Headquarters

Louisville, Colorado

Founded

2021

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

1%

1 year growth

1%

2 year growth

4%
Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Collaboration with NVIDIA enhances space debris prediction, improving mission safety.
  • New thermal protection system increases spacecraft durability and reusability.
  • Expansion of spaceplane fleet opens new revenue streams in logistics and payload services.

What critics are saying

  • Legal disputes over contracts may harm Sierra Space's reputation and finances.
  • CEO's departure could lead to strategic instability and project delays.
  • Struggles with Dream Chaser launch indicate potential technical challenges.

What makes Sierra Space unique

  • Sierra Space's Dream Chaser can land on conventional runways, unlike most spaceplanes.
  • The company is developing inflatable habitats for long-duration human spaceflight.
  • Sierra Space integrates AI for space threat detection, enhancing its technological edge.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Paid Vacation