Manager, Mechanical Engineering - Flight Equipment

Position: Manager, Mechanical Engineering - Flight Support Equipment
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 The Manager of Flight Support Equipment (FSE) is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and management related to Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) and tooling throughout their lifecycle. This role encompasses design, procurement, fabrication, testing, validation, deployment, and long-term maintenance of flight support equipment. The position requires a strong leader with extensive technical, managerial, and operational expertise who can oversee cross-functional teams and ensure alignment with organizational goals and industry standards.

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.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Leadership:

Develop and help implement command media policies, processes, and lifecycle concepts of operations.

Foster relationships with program managers, cross-functional teams, and customer representatives

Translates strategy into operational processes, recommending changes which impact the sector

Team Management Lead, manage, and mentor a team of approximately 8 engineers, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Proactively monitor team project performance to maintain technical, schedule, and cost baselines

Facilitate resource forecasting and team performance metrics

Translates functional plans into operational plans; identifies and executes operational initiatives.

Design, Development & Integration Oversee the design, development, and engineering analysis (e.g., FEA, CAD modeling) of support equipment.

Ensure proper interfaces between units under test and test equipment (e.g., vibration fixtures, thermal chambers, electrical integration).Ensure alignment and integration across functional areas, including assembly tooling, test operations, ground operations, production operations, and sustaining engineering.

Procurement & Supplier Management Manage the end-to-end procurement process, including RFPs, bid evaluations, contract negotiations, and vendor oversight.

Collaborate with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of equipment that meets specifications and quality standards.

Fabrication & Manufacturing Support Oversee prototyping, fabrication, assembly, and integration of MGSE and tooling.

Support internal and external manufacturing teams to resolve production issues and optimize processes.

Validation, Testing & Certification Direct the testing, validation, and certification of support equipment to ensure compliance with regulatory and industry standards (e.g., OSHA, FAA, AS9100).Develop and implement rigorous validation protocols.

Lifecycle Management & Maintenance Manage the lifecycle of all equipment, including upgrades, modifications, maintenance, and calibration.

Identify opportunities for continuous improvement to enhance performance, reliability, and cost-efficiency.

Budgeting & Reporting Manage team budgets, track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and report on equipment schedules, costs, and technical status to senior management.

Contribute to financial planning and…