Space Segment Lead (Clearance Required)

Sierra Space Careers:

At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth.

Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can deliver on the boldest missions in space today. Together with our customers, we aim to safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure the freedom of operations in low Earth orbit and beyond.

Our success is measured by the trust of those who rely on what we build and deliver, and our technologies keep the United States and its allies mission-ready throughout space.

We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team.

About the Role

As a Space Segment Lead, your key tasks in this role will be:

Program Execution:
Own the end-to-end delivery of the spacecraft from kick-off to final handover, ensuring compliance with mission specifications, technical baselines, and cost constraints. Develop and maintain space segment schedule, budget, and resource plans.

Space Segment Requirements/Verifications:
Define, flow down, and trace the space segment technical requirements from mission-level objectives with support of Systems engineering; author the comprehensive Verification and Validation (V&V) matrix to systematically prove spacecraft compliance through analysis, inspection, demonstration, and environmental qualification testing

Subsystem and Payload Integration:
Manage critical interfaces between the satellite bus and the payload, driving resolution of technical conflicts across hardware and software teams.

AI&T Oversight:
Supporting Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AI&T) flows, guiding environmental ground testing (vibration, thermal vacuum) and launch campaign preparations.

Supplier Management:
Direct the acquisition and management of major bus contractors, payload providers, and subsystem suppliers, including statements of work (SOWs) and acceptance reviews.

Risk Management:
Track technical performance metrics, define risk mitigation strategies, and manage the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) to prevent schedule slips.

Customer Interface:
Serve as the primary technical point of contact for stakeholders, communicating design status and handling programmatic deliverables

About You

Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower – to join us in this critical mission.

We’re looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +13 yrs experience).

• Typically 15+ years of related experience (or Masters + 13 years of experience).

• Ability to drive multidisciplinary system development initiatives, architect comprehensive systems integrating multiple sub-systems.

• Advanced expertise in Systems Engineering principles and practices, including a comprehensive understanding of the systems development lifecycle.

• Robust experience across multiple system development life cycles, including requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation.

• Expertise in developing systems architecture and performing systems integration, verification, and validation (V&V) activities.

• Ability to contribute to corporate Systems Engineering policy and process definition and implementation.

• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with technical and specialty subject matter expert engineers to drive systems engineering products.

• An active Secret or above U.S. Security Clearance is required

Preferred Qualifications

Technical Knowledge:

• Solid understanding of spacecraft subsystems (CDH, Comm, EPS,GNC, Prop, SMS, TCS)

• Demonstrated experience establishing and managing Space Segment TPMs, aggressively tracking subsystem margins, and implementing corrective action plans when technical budgets approach critical thresholds.

• Knowledge of orbital mechanics, space environment, and mission design.

• Familiarity with space industry standards and regulatory requirements.

• Understanding of systems engineering processes and lifecycle management.

• Experience with spacecraft test and integration processes.

Skills:

• Strong technical leadership and decision-making abilities

• Excellent project management and organizational skills

• Effective communication with technical teams, customers, and executives

• Problem-solving and critical thinking in complex system environments

• Budget management and resource allocation expertise

Compensation:

Pay Range:

$173,748.00 - $238,903.50

Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, experience, internal equity and market competitiveness.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

This position requires current/active Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.

Elevate Your Career

At Sierra Space, we are committed to your personal and professional development. We empower you to make profound and meaningful contributions and foster a vibrant culture of collaboration, where teamwork ignites breakthrough innovations.

We also offer a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, and more.

Sierra Space is an industry-leading space and defense technology company providing satellites, spacecraft, and enabling mission systems and components. We deliver mission-proven technologies to our customers that safeguard our nation, protect space-based assets and enable space exploration.

Application Deadline: This role will remain posted until a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Please note: Sierra Space does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to Sierra Space team members not through our approved vendor list or Talent Acquisition will be considered property of Sierra Space, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.

Sierra Space Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need special assistance or a reasonable accommodation related to applying for employment with Sierra Space or at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.