Project Engineer III

Sierra Space•Centennial, CO

5d•$119,064 - $163,713

About The Position

The Project Engineer role focuses on leading and executing technical projects supporting Sierra Space's System Integration Laboratory (SIL) engineering team, with responsibility spanning multiple SIL and FlatSat environments across the organization. This position ensures the successful integration, test, and operational readiness of flight-like and engineering hardware/software configurations, while driving innovation and continuous improvement across lab operations. This role requires a strong technical foundation, advanced systems/integration engineering expertise, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams spanning engineering, test, program, manufacturing, and supplier organizations. The role involves overseeing the design, development, configuration, and sustainment of System Integration Laboratory and FlatSat environments—including hardware/software test benches, simulators, facilities, and ground support equipment—ensuring each environment meets technical specifications, configuration control, and quality standards, as well as cost and schedule constraints. This role works closely with System Integration leadership on multi-lab project planning, prioritization, and execution, balancing competing program demands across shared SIL/FlatSat resources. In this role, you will lead small cross-functional teams and projects across multiple SIL and FlatSat environments, effectively balancing technical, cost, and schedule constraints while overseeing the design, development, build-up, and integration of lab infrastructure and test configurations. You will plan and execute facility builds and modifications, including layout, infrastructure upgrades, and reconfiguration of lab spaces to support evolving program and test needs, while also collaborating on build and maintenance plans for test equipment such as hardware/software test benches, simulators, and ground support equipment to ensure availability, calibration, and sustained operational readiness. You will serve as a key contributor to test configuration planning and execution, ensuring configurations meet technical specifications, interface requirements, and quality/configuration management standards across concurrent lab setups, and you will provide technical estimation support to develop Basis of Estimates (BOEs) for lab integration, test, facility, and sustainment activities. In addition, you will conduct trade studies and lead technical evaluations related to lab architecture, test equipment, tool selection, and integration approaches, while providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians supporting lab operations, integration, and test activities. You will manage supplier and vendor coordination for lab/test equipment by developing and managing Statements of Work (SOWs) and coordinating with contracts and quality teams on procurement, acceptance, and support agreements, and you will serve as liaison to Manufacturing and Planning teams, coordinating build schedules, resource availability, and hardware delivery to support lab and test timelines. You will also support Risk and Opportunity management across SIL/FlatSat projects, including risks related to lab availability, equipment readiness, facility constraints, and cross-program scheduling conflicts. Finally, you will communicate and coordinate across engineering, test, manufacturing, and program teams, delivering clear verbal and written communication of technical concepts, lab status, integration plans, and anomaly resolution to both technical and programmatic audiences. You will drive innovation and continuous improvement within the System Integration engineering team, including standardization of lab processes, tooling, and reusable test infrastructure across environments, and you will serve as the bridge between Engineering and Program offices to resolve conflicts and represent the voice of all stakeholders—including support functions, manufacturing, test teams, and customers—regarding SIL/FlatSat capability, availability, and performance.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or master's +3 yrs experience).
Typically, 5+ years of related experience.
Strong technical foundation on which to build project/programmatic skills.
Ability to lead small cross-functional teams and projects.
Advanced technical knowledge and expertise in the relevant engineering discipline.
Strong project management skills, including the ability to lead technical teams and ensure projects are completed within budget and scheduling constraints.
Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
General knowledge of two or more functional disciplines outside of engineering (e.g., supply chain, manufacturing, operations, program management).
Thorough knowledge and understanding of risk and opportunity management.
Expertise in communicating and coordinating across engineering and functional teams.
Clear verbal and written communication of technical concepts, plans, and actions.
The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance is required.
U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment.

Nice To Haves

Solid understanding of spacecraft and ground network systems, including network hardware and software subsystems and components.
Prior experience in project management activities.
Professional Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Experience with systems engineering and integration.
Proficiency in project management software and tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheets, Jira).
Experience with 2D CAD software and engineering design tools.
Knowledge of industry standards and regulations.
Experience in product lifecycle management (PLM).
Familiarity with Agile and Lean methodologies.
Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Lead small cross-functional teams and projects across multiple SIL and FlatSat environments, effectively balancing technical, cost, and schedule constraints.
Oversee the design, development, build-up, and integration of lab infrastructure and test configurations.
Plan and execute facility builds and modifications, including layout, infrastructure upgrades, and reconfiguration of lab spaces.
Collaborate on build and maintenance plans for test equipment such as hardware/software test benches, simulators, and ground support equipment.
Serve as a key contributor to test configuration planning and execution, ensuring configurations meet technical specifications, interface requirements, and quality/configuration management standards.
Provide technical estimation support to develop Basis of Estimates (BOEs) for lab integration, test, facility, and sustainment activities.
Conduct trade studies and lead technical evaluations related to lab architecture, test equipment, tool selection, and integration approaches.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians supporting lab operations, integration, and test activities.
Manage supplier and vendor coordination for lab/test equipment by developing and managing Statements of Work (SOWs).
Coordinate with contracts and quality teams on procurement, acceptance, and support agreements for lab/test equipment.
Serve as liaison to Manufacturing and Planning teams, coordinating build schedules, resource availability, and hardware delivery.
Support Risk and Opportunity management across SIL/FlatSat projects.
Communicate and coordinate across engineering, test, manufacturing, and program teams, delivering clear verbal and written communication of technical concepts, lab status, integration plans, and anomaly resolution.
Drive innovation and continuous improvement within the System Integration engineering team, including standardization of lab processes, tooling, and reusable test infrastructure across environments.
Serve as the bridge between Engineering and Program offices to resolve conflicts and represent the voice of all stakeholders regarding SIL/FlatSat capability, availability, and performance.