Director - Ground Systems and Training

Do you have a passion for space, a love of engineering, and a desire to support our nation’s heroes? Do you want to be a part of the future facets of space? We dream big at Sierra Space Corporation— from space exploration, habitation, and services development to keeping our service members safe and creating the systems that keep our world united and sustain our way of living. If this appeals to you, JOIN US! You will be part of an extraordinary team that is passionate about the mission, relentless in our commitments, driven to exceptionalism, and bold in thinking.Sierra Space’s Orbital Systems and Services (OSS) division focuses on the design, build, and operations of small satellites in support of commercial services and national security space and offers two work locations: Louisville, Colorado and Centennial, Colorado. As Director - Ground Systems and Training you will be driving our strategic business operations for all programmatic aspects of your assigned projects with specific focused responsibility for customer relationship, cost, schedule and technical planning, tracking and reporting, technical execution and ensuring overall program performance objectives are achieved. You will provide leadership, guidance, and oversight in all phases of business resource planning/tracking in coordination with other corporate entities, and build and lead an exceptional team to innovate, invent, implement, and deploy complex solutions in a mission-critical environment. You'll oversee process and procedure for assessing and mitigating program risk and ensure program issues and problems are identified, tracked and resolved. You'll be responsible for project/program status updates, proposal review and approval, and negotiations with project/program stakeholders to ensure enterprise initiatives meet cost, budget, and schedule constraints.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:Establish and maintain a space operator training program Direct the maturity of the ground systems needed for the Satellite Operations CenterAdvance the ground system architecture and Concept of Operations for satellites and related ground systemsIdentify and champion facility modifications, along with hardware/software upgrades for continuous increased operations efficiency/effectiveness to increase operations capacityMature the satellite operations policies, procedures, and processes Must Haves:Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Management, Finance or a related fieldRelevant experience may substitute for required educationThorough knowledge and understanding of program management, science, aerospace and/or engineering programsPrior experience leading a team of Program Managers and the programs they are managing; ability to recruit employees; assign, direct, and evaluate their work; and oversee career development, succession planning, performance management, coaching, mentoring, as well as holding people accountable Experience directing the preparation of proposals, business plans, specifications, and approves basis of estimates and rough order of magnitudes for potential pursuits and ensuring all resources such as engineering, manpower, production and facilities are available to support the programDemonstrated working knowledge of managing the cost, schedule and technical performance requirements of multiple programs through all phases from inception to completion Proven track-record developing, communicating and executing to meet financial forecastsExtensive experience with the development of tactical and strategic business growth strategyResponsible for high-level relationship management internally (executive leadership, peers, support functions, and subordinates) and external customers; Interact internally with leaders and customers on business matters and partners with functional leadership towards success and continuous improvementResponsible for customer satisfaction, maintaining customer communication, and the overall management of the customer relationship to determine needs, requirements and new business opportunitiesAbility to manage complex situations, delegate authority, lead and inspire your team, drive innovative thinking, instill collaboration, drive for success, challenge status quo and demonstrate ability to adapt to dynamic situations Proven experience and skills in team building, time management, conflict resolution, communication, briefing, presentation, strategic thinking, marketing, and literacy in the program management disciplinesFamiliarity with managing projects requiring Earned Value ManagementStrong 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 audiencesProven ability to solve highly complex problems with significant business impactPreferred:Typically, 10-12+ years of relevant experience; 7+ years demonstrated program management experienceWork in and cultivate a collaborative team environment with Program Managers, Facilities, Security, Cybersecurity, Systems Engineering, Network Engineering, COTS/Products and other teams to advance current and future space operations programsDemonstrated experience as a Technical Lead and/or PM in Satellite Operations.Demonstrated experience with Space Ground operational centers environmentExperience with Satellite Operations launch activitiesUnderstanding of best practices with shift work, multiple mission environment, configuration control of operational systemsKnowledgeable in space operations policies, procedures, and processesPrevious ownership of P&L responsibilitiesPrevious management experience that includes understanding in Financial Management, Business Operations, Strategic Planning, Contracts, Risk Management, and Proposal DevelopmentAbility to motivate others with a shared sense of vision or purpose.Ability to quickly grasp technical concepts and understand complex technical and program interdependencies Possess a strategic mindset, linking technology and businessUnderstanding of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)/Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARS) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) complianceWorking knowledge of Program Management Institute Program Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and/or Program Management Professional (PMP) CertificationPrior experience managing projects using Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), agile and or spiral development modelsAbility to lead Program Management process and tool improvement for the Business UnitAbility to establish centralized, coordinating body for program concerns, recommendations, and issues; developing recommended process improvements; facilitating opportunities with corporateAbility to establish new and further refining existing templates, tools, and guidelines for program documentation and executionExperience with ensuring compliance with ISO 9001:2000 Policies and ProcessesThe ability to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance may be required Learn more about the background check process for Security ClearancesIMPORTANT 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.This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a 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 useWith 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 stepsFrequently repeat same hand, arm, and finger motion many times to include finger and hand dexterityRarely 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/materialsRarely exposed to loud noises Estimated Starting Salary Range: $186,100.35 - $255,887.98. 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.