Chief Engineer; Clearance Required

Company Overview

At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure above Earth. Our team shares a spirit of innovation and collaboration, delivering bold space missions and safeguarding national security. We aim to protect space‑based assets and enable space exploration, ensuring the United States and its allies remain mission‑ready.

The Chief Engineer will provide technical leadership and guidance to major programs, ensuring successful technical execution. The role involves maintaining the technical baseline, overseeing design, development, and testing, solving complex problems, adjudicating gaps between as‑designed and as‑built, and driving engineering decisions. The Chief Engineer acts as a senior leader within the program team, holding technical teams accountable and building and executing strategies across the development program.

We seek individuals passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve, and empower. You align with our values, mission, and goals, and meet the minimum qualifications outlined below.

• An active Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience) or Master’s with 14+ years experience.
• Typically 16+ years of related experience.
• Multidisciplinary engineering expertise with subject‑matter expertise for a significant program.
• Demonstrated experience leading significant projects, cross‑functional interaction, and driving engineering decisions.
• Use of first principles to plan and execute required analysis for a program life cycle.
• Acting as a technical advisor, providing expert guidance on complex projects, ensuring technical accuracy and feasibility.
• Upholds and models company values; holds others accountable to values.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• In‑depth knowledge of industry standards, regulations, and best practices.
• Able to build strategy and implement steps needed across programs.

• Master’s or Ph.D. in engineering, aerospace, or a related discipline.
• Extensive aerospace industry experience with a proven track record of technical leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation, stay current with emerging technologies, and implement cutting‑edge solutions.
• Exceptional leadership and mentoring capabilities with a record of influencing and inspiring teams.
• Solid program‑management experience, including planning, execution, and oversight of large‑scale projects.
• Strong strategic planning skills, developing long‑term technical roadmaps aligned with organizational objectives.
• Proven ability to work with executive‑level management, providing clear technical insights and recommendations.
• Experience managing relationships with external stakeholders—customers, suppliers, regulatory bodies.
• Collaborative work across functions—operations, finance, business development—to achieve common goals.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, identifying and implementing process enhancements.
• History of technical publications or patents demonstrating thought leadership.
• Relevant professional certifications such as PE, PMP, or other technical certifications.

Pay Range: $ – $

This position requires current/active Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required. Non‑U.S. citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF) handles adjudication for industry applicants.

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

Medical, dental, and vision plans; 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%; life insurance; 3 weeks paid time off; and more.

Final date to receive applications:
This role will remain posted until a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

We do 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, please contact us.