Systems Engineer II - (Flight Operations – Flight Planning & Design)

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

About The Role

Sierra Space is seeking a candidate with a strong interest in spacecraft flight dynamics, mission planning, 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.

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 FreeFlyer and Matlab to design the spacecraft trajectory to meet mission needs. 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.

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

• Design spacecraft trajectories using custom flight design tools (FreeFlyer, Matlab).
• Collaborate with hardware/software engineers, flight science analysts, and flight control disciplines to integrate mission products (timelines, procedures, trajectories, attitudes).
• Complete training requirements and participate in simulations for flight controller certification.
• Provide real-time mission support from the Mission Control Center (MCC) in Louisville, CO.
• Perform mission planning, analysis, and execution for Dream Chaser missions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree).
• 0–2 years of experience (entry-level).
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Strong background in orbital mechanics or spacecraft attitude dynamics.
• Clear and concise communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability and willingness to learn new subjects and disciplines.
• Practical knowledge of engineering principles and practices.
• Self-starter and problem-solver comfortable working in a fast-paced, often-changing environment.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure as part of a team.
• Ability to pass flight controller certification and physical (may be a condition of continued employment).
• Some shiftwork required during mission operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• MATLAB.
• STK or FreeFlyer.
• Microsoft Office Tools.
• Tool development including GUI (in any coding language).
• Technical writing: detailed process documentation.
• Strong foundation in Orbital Mechanics.
• Strong foundation in Spacecraft Attitudes.
• Experience studying or working with Kalman Filters.

Benefits

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

Pay

Pay Range: $94,090.00 – $129,394.75. Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, education, experience, internal equity, and market competitiveness.