Sr Director, Production Operations - Satellite and Spacecrafts

Sierra Space•Louisville, CO

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Sierra Space is scaling from development programs into high-rate, repeatable production across a diversified portfolio of military and commercial systems, including satellites and spacecraft, propulsion systems, solar power systems, and the Dream Chaser spaceplane. As Senior Director, Production Operations, you will play a pivotal role in executing and shaping the production strategy for satellite and spacecraft manufacturing and integration, building the operational systems required to deliver space vehicles at pace, at quality, and at cost. This is a strategic execution leadership role for a proven operations leader with deep expertise in satellite and spacecraft production. Reporting to the Vice President, Production, you will own manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test operations for satellite and spacecraft product lines across multiple Sierra Space facilities. You will drive standardization of production processes across sites, implement data-driven manufacturing systems, and lead large, multi-layered teams capable of scaling satellite and spacecraft output significantly while maintaining quality and efficiency. You will shape the operational foundation for high-rate satellite and spacecraft production, partner across the enterprise to ensure production readiness, and serve as a key leader in delivering critical space systems for national security and commercial missions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations, or a related technical field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree).
12+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, integration, or operations roles in complex technical industries, with a significant portion in senior leadership positions managing large teams and multi-site operations.
Active Top Secret Clearance OR Ability to Attain TS
Proven track record of successfully leading satellite, spacecraft, or complex aerospace system production operations at scale.
Strong background in satellite and spacecraft assembly, integration, and test (AIT) operations, and operational execution for complex electromechanical and aerospace systems.
Demonstrated experience scaling production operations from development programs into repeatable, high-rate manufacturing across multiple product lines or facilities.
Experience implementing and standardizing production processes, workflows, and systems across multiple sites to create enterprise-wide operational consistency.
Experience with data-driven manufacturing systems, MES implementation, and production management processes, including KPI development, dashboards, and performance management.
Strong command of design-for-manufacturing (DFM) and design-for-test (DFT) principles, with proven ability to influence engineering designs for producibility and quality.
Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary, multi-layered teams and drive transformational change in fast-paced, highly technical production environments.
Expertise in continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, TPS) with proven ability to identify and eliminate production inefficiencies at scale and drive cultural change.
Strong financial acumen with demonstrated ability to manage large production budgets, analyze satellite and spacecraft manufacturing costs, and implement cost-saving measures while maintaining quality and schedule.
In-depth knowledge of aerospace production standards, export control regulations (ITAR/EAR), security requirements, safety protocols, and quality management systems (AS9100, ISO, etc.).
Excellent cross-functional collaboration and executive communication skills, with the ability to represent production interests effectively to C-suite leadership, government customers, and external stakeholders.
Ability to uphold and model company values, hold others accountable, and foster a culture of operational excellence, safety, and mission focus in satellite and spacecraft production environments.
The ability to obtain and maintain an active Top Secret clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience in satellite or spacecraft production, including assembly, integration, and test (AIT) operations for LEO, MEO, or GEO satellites, or crewed/uncrewed spacecraft across both military and commercial programs.
Familiarity with satellite and spacecraft subsystems including avionics, RF systems, solar arrays, thermal control, propulsion integration, life support systems, and environmental test operations.
Experience in aerospace, defense, launch vehicle, or high-rate hardware manufacturing across both classified and unclassified product lines.
Experience operating satellite and spacecraft production across multiple sites and standardizing processes enterprise-wide.
Experience with vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities for satellite and spacecraft subsystems, including structures, PCBAs, harnesses, RF components, or integrated vehicle production.
Familiarity with classified satellite and spacecraft manufacturing and secure production operations, including SCIF-based assembly and integration.
Experience implementing lean or continuous-improvement frameworks at scale across multiple production sites.
Experience with automated manufacturing, robotics, MES platforms, or advanced production data systems for aerospace applications.
Experience leading large-scale organizational change initiatives, including technology implementation, process transformation, and workforce restructuring during periods of rapid company growth.
Experience building and scaling multi-site operational organizations and leadership teams.
Master's degree in engineering, operations, business, or a related field.
Active Top Secret clearance

Responsibilities

Own manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test operations for satellite and spacecraft product lines across multiple production sites, including day-to-day operational oversight, cross-site coordination, and production execution accountability.
Develop and execute production strategies to scale satellite and spacecraft manufacturing from development programs into repeatable, high-rate production, balancing throughput, yield, cost, and schedule across a growing portfolio.
Standardize satellite and spacecraft production processes, workflows, and operating systems across multiple facilities to create consistent, repeatable, high-rate build operations aligned with enterprise-wide best practices and scalable for future growth.
Lead capacity planning, facility buildout, and consolidation efforts for satellite and spacecraft production, including layout design, equipment procurement, production line commissioning, and secure manufacturing planning for classified programs.
Drive vertical integration initiatives by standing up and maturing internal satellite and spacecraft manufacturing capabilities, including structures, avionics integration, RF systems, solar arrays, thermal systems, and end-to-end vehicle assembly and test.
Select, implement, and mature manufacturing execution systems (MES) and production data infrastructure to enable full traceability, repeatability, and real-time operational decision-making across satellite and spacecraft production operations.
Establish and maintain enterprise production operating rhythm through metrics, dashboards, and executive review cadences focused on cycle time, yield, throughput, labor efficiency, on-time delivery, quality, and cost for satellite and spacecraft programs.
Drive lean manufacturing, automation, and continuous improvement frameworks across all satellite and spacecraft production environments, identifying and eliminating inefficiencies at scale.
Partner with Satellite Engineering, Spacecraft Engineering, Systems Engineering, and Product Assurance teams to drive design-for-manufacturing (DFM) and design-for-test (DFT) into satellite and spacecraft development from the earliest phases and ensure seamless transition from development to production.
Collaborate across Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Facilities, Security, and Program Management to ensure aligned production readiness, material flow, supplier integration, and execution against satellite and spacecraft program schedules and customer commitments.
Manage multi-site production budgets and analyze satellite and spacecraft manufacturing costs to implement cost-reduction initiatives that maintain quality standards and support business objectives.
Lead and develop a multi-layer production organization, including directors, managers, supervisors, engineers, and technicians across satellite and spacecraft assembly, integration, and test operations, fostering a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Champion organizational change initiatives specific to satellite and spacecraft production environments, including MES implementation, process redesign, automation integration, and workforce development to support rapid company growth.
Ensure compliance with aerospace production standards, export control regulations (ITAR/EAR), security requirements, safety protocols, and quality management systems (AS9100, ISO, etc.) applicable to satellite and spacecraft manufacturing operations.
Represent satellite and spacecraft production operations to executive leadership, program customers, and external stakeholders, including government agencies, commercial customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies, communicating status, risks, mitigation plans, and strategic production initiatives.