Sr Systems Engineer; Flight Operations – Flight Dynamics

Position: Sr Systems Engineer (Flight Operations – Flight Dynamics)
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 Sierra Space is seeking a candidate with strong experience in spacecraft flight dynamics, mission design, and operations to join the Flight Operations team. In this role, you will work towards becoming a certified Dream Chaser flight controller to support Dream Chaser missions. You'll be responsible for mission planning, mission analysis, and mission execution from our Mission Control Center in Louisville, CO.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.

Sierra Space is based in Louisville CO with engineering offices in Madison WI, Durham, NC and Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Sierra Space designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft, 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.

Within the Flight Operations organization, Flight Planning and Design is responsible for planning missions for the Dream Chaser program as well as supporting real-time Dream Chaser mission operations.  You will utilize custom flight design tools based in Free Flyer to assess launch and deorbit opportunities, design the spacecraft trajectories, and perform ground-based navigation. Additionally, you will work closely with hardware and software engineers, flight science analysts, and other flight control disciplines to integrate products in the form of timelines, procedures, trajectories, attitudes, etc.

Additionally, you will complete training requirements and participate in training simulations on your path toward flight controller certification. Upon certification, you will provide real-time mission support from our Mission Control Center (MCC) in Louisville, CO. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Mission analysis and design:
As a subject matter expert, support the mission design process using the flight dynamics tool suite to perform trade studies and analysis to plan trajectories.

Ground-based Navigation:
Use your experience in ground-based navigation and statistical orbit determination processes, from conceptualization through operational flight support.

Mentoring and Leadership:
Help guide a flight dynamics team through design, development, and operational flight.

Represent Flight Planning and Design: while collaborating across disciplines (e.g., GNC, systems engineering, flight operations) to integrate and validate mission design processes end-to-end.

Develop Flight Dynamics Software:
Participate in the development and validation of the Flight Dynamics Tool Suite as an…