Sr. Program Manager

Sierra Space, based in Louisville, Colorado with operations in Madison, Wisconsin, Durham, North Carolina, and Kennedy Space Center, Florida, 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

Primary Responsibilities:             

• This position is responsible to provide the centralized planning, direction, and control required to meet the cost, schedule, and performance goals throughout the life-cycle of space mission programs, including satellite development.  This position must monitor, update, and report on Program(s)/B&P/IR&D performance/status in accordance with Sierra Space's Program Management and Planning/Tracking (PMAP/PMAT) and CPPM processes, through the complete program life cycle.
• This position may serve as Proposal Manager or key proposal team member for follow-on business or new business opportunities in related program areas.  The Program Manager is responsible for completing the proposal process to include supporting the successful winning strategy, developing all proposal materials for executive management approval, and ensuring compliance with technical, cost, and management requirements.  The PM will participate in any resulting negotiations.  Once a proposed effort is awarded, the PM will manage the effort throughout its life cycle.
• In this capacity, the Program Manager will be the primary representative with the customer on space mission program(s).  The PM is responsible to maintain close contact with the customer organization to provide the highest possible level of customer satisfaction, including ensuring a continuous line of communication is kept open with the appropriate customer representatives to maintain a high level of program status awareness, provide timely recognition and resolution of problems, identify follow-on business opportunities, and prevent surprises.
• The Program Manager will participate in contract strategy, development, review and negotiations for their programs in concert with Contracts and the Director of Programs.  He/she is responsible for follow-on business development of existing customers and for assisting the VP and the Director of Programs and/or VP of BD with new business opportunities within the Spacecraft Systems Business Unit and other program areas.  Program Managers support the development and execution of the business area capture plans within their assigned area of responsibility, as requested.  The PM may also manage related IRAD activities.   
• The PM is responsible for identifying the staffing/resource needs for assigned and projected satellite programs to ensure adequate staffing for successful program completion.  He/she may perform other management duties as assigned by the Director or VP of Programs.  The PM is responsible for ensuring compliance with approved Corporate and ISO 9001:2000 Policies and Processes.

Must Haves:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, or technical related discipline and typically 10+ years of program management experience
• Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of required education
• Higher education may substitute for relevant experience
• Proven leadership abilities inclusive of successful change management, mentoring, career development, training, succession planning, holding people accountable, and conducting yearly reviews
• Mastery of the ability to manage complex situations, delegate authority, lead and inspire your team, drive innovative thinking, instill collaboration, drive for success, challenge status quo, and demonstrate the 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 disciplines.
• Strong analytical background with the evaluation of requests for proposals and/or quotes. Experience with preparing, reviewing, and submitting proposals and/or quotes.

Preferred:

• Active US Government security clearance
• Experience working through all lifecycle phases of a satellite development program from concept through delivery
• Master's in Engineering, Aviation or Management
• Understanding of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARS)
• Working knowledge of Program Management Institute Program Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)
• Program Management Professional (PMP) Certification
• Managing projects using Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), agile, and or spiral development models
• Managing projects requiring Earned Value Management
• Understanding with application tools and data architectures
• Ability to reinforce the usage & application of Corporate PM tools.
• Ability to lead PM process & tool improvement for the Enterprise.
• Ability to keep program management informed of function & process changes within project controls.
• Ability to enhance program management expertise in the staff
• Ability to establish centralized, coordinating body for PM concerns, recommendations, & issues; developing recommended process improvements; facilitating opportunities with Enterprise Program Finance
• Ability to establish new & further refining existing templates, tools, & guidelines for program documentation & execution
• Experience with ensuring compliance with approved Corporate and ISO 9001:2000 Policies and Processes

IMPORTANT NOTICES:
This position requires ability to obtain an active Top Secret security clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required. Non-US citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance.  The Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO), an agency of the Department of Defense, handles and adjudicates the security clearance process. Security clearance factors include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the US, foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and drug involvement.  

To conform to U.S. Government export 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.

Physical/Mental/Emotional Requirements:

• Frequently walk, sit, stand, climb stairs and steps
• Frequently repeat same hand, arm, and finger motion many times to include finger and hand dexterity
• Rarely lifting or carrying up to 20 lbs.

Working Conditions:

• Rarely exposed to outdoor elements (high/low temperatures, sun, rain/snow, etc.)
• Rarely exposed to fumes or hazardous chemicals/materials
• Rarely exposed to loud noises

Estimated Starting Salary Range: $159,430.15 - $219,216.46

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.