{"id":2841846,"url":"https://alion.io/job/sierra-space-dream-chaser-flight-controller-systems-engineer-ii-2","title":"Dream Chaser Flight Controller (Systems Engineer II)","company":{"id":58801,"name":"Sierra Space","domain":"sierraspace.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/sierra-space","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":78,"open_postings":33,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.879,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":35,"computed_at":"2026-11-03T05:54:40Z"}},"role":"Finance","role_family":"Finance","seniority":"middle","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Louisville, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":94090,"max":129394,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":129394},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":2,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"MATLAB","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-06-05T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-06-05","last_verified_at":"2026-11-03T14:34:39Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":151,"trust":{"level":"stale","repost_count":0,"flags":["stale"],"days_open":151},"description":"Sierra Space Careers:\nAt Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth.\nSierra 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.\nOur 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.\nWe are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team.\nAbout the Role\nSierra Space is seeking a candidate with a background in systems thinking and spaceflight operations to join the Flight Operations - Spacecraft Systems team. As a member of this team you will be working towards being a certified flight controller. You'll be responsible for mission planning, training, and execution of Dream Chaser mission operations from our Louisville, CO mission control center. About You\nOur 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.\nWe’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.\nIn this role, you will be responsible for integrating operational concepts and plans with design inputs, developing operations processes and products (including procedures, flight rules, timelines, telemetry displays, and more), developing training products (including lessons, reference materials, simulation scripts, and more), and real-time mission support in our Louisville, CO mission control center. Your work will ensure the success of the Dream Chaser mission.\nThe ideal candidate will have experience with various phases of mission planning, training, and operations, as well as the ability to work closely with spacecraft designers to translate the design into operations products. The candidate must also be able to maintain a positive attitude in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, be energized by difficult challenges, and take initiative to organize work and get things done.\nPreferred areas of operational specialization could include: communication systems and mechanical systems. Candidates with prior experience in any of these topic areas are encouraged to apply.\nOccasional support of other Sierra Space programs may be required at times, given the skill set of the candidate.\nOccasional travel may be required.\nMinimum Qualifications:\nRequires Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree).\n\nTypically 2+ years of related experience.\n\nAbility to drive multidisciplinary system development initiatives, architect comprehensive systems integrating multiple sub-systems.\n\nAdvanced expertise in Systems Engineering principles and practices, including a comprehensive understanding of the systems development lifecycle.\n\nRobust experience across multiple system development life cycles, including requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation.\n\nExpertise in developing systems architecture and performing systems integration, verification, and validation (V&V) activities.\n\nAbility to contribute to corporate Systems Engineering policy and process definition and implementation.\n\nDemonstrated ability to work and communicate with technical and specialty subject matter expert engineers to drive systems engineering products.\n\nThe ability to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance may be required in the future.\n\nPreferred Qualifications:\nPrior experience with real-time spaceflight operations\n\nPrior experience with mission planning (ConOps, procedures, flight rules, etc.)\n\nPrior experience working in multi-disciplinary teams\n\nMaster's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related field.\n\nExtensive experience with Requirements Management and Model Based Systems Engineering tools and frameworks, such as DOORS, CAMEO EA, Rhapsody, Matlab, and SysML.\n\nRobust understanding of spacecraft systems, including hardware and software subsystems and components.\n\nStrong understanding of project management methodologies including risk management and technical performance tracking.\n\nRobust understanding of technical baseline and configuration management.\n\nProven experience in leading major projects and mentoring junior and mid-level engineers.\n\nExperience or certification in INCOSE standards.\n\nExcellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.\n\nAbility to adapt to a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.\n\nPrior experience with real-time spaceflight operations\n\nExperience with spacecraft avionics systems, telemetry systems, and MIL-STD-1553 data bus protocol\n\nProficiency in Python or similar scripting languages and familiarity with software configuration management tools\n\nExperience with mission planning, including Concept of Operations (ConOps), procedures development, and flight rules\n\nDemonstrated ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams\n\nAbility to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance (may be required in future)\n\nCompensation:\nPay Range:\n$94,090.00 - $129,394.75Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, experience, internal equity and market competitiveness.\nIMPORTANT NOTICE:\nThis position requires the ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.\nElevate Your Career\nAt Sierra Space, we are committed to your personal and professional development. We empower you to make profound and meaningful contributions and foster a vibrant culture of collaboration, where teamwork ignites breakthrough innovations.\nWe also offer a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, and more.\nSierra Space is an industry-leading space and defense technology company providing satellites, spacecraft, and enabling mission systems and components. We deliver mission-proven technologies to our customers that safeguard our nation, protect space-based assets and enable space exploration.\nApplication Deadline: This role will remain posted until a qualified pool of candidates is identified.\nPlease note: Sierra Space does 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.\nSierra 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 or at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.","description_format":"text","description_chars":7955,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":2,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Life insurance","Professional development"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Aerospace Manufacturing","Space Services"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-19T09:23:58Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":7,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.254,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":151,"expected_fill_days":35,"reasons":["conf:1","stale_co","velocity","win:tail","crowd:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-11-03T05:54:40Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":129394,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/sierra-space-dream-chaser-flight-controller-systems-engineer-ii-2","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/sierra-space-dream-chaser-flight-controller-systems-engineer-ii-2.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-03T20:48:53Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":3601,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-04T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":58801},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=58801"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fsierra-space-dream-chaser-flight-controller-systems-engineer-ii-2"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fsierra-space-dream-chaser-flight-controller-systems-engineer-ii-2"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fsierra-space-dream-chaser-flight-controller-systems-engineer-ii-2"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/sierra-space-dream-chaser-flight-controller-systems-engineer-ii-2\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fsierra-space-dream-chaser-flight-controller-systems-engineer-ii-2"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":2841846}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"sierraspace.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":2841846},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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