Sr Director, Production Operations - Satellite and Spacecraft

Sierra Space Careers:

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

Sierra 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.

Our 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.

We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team.

About the Role

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.

About You

Our 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.

We’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.

Key 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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

Compensation:

Pay Range:

$216,886.00 - $298,217.50

Your 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.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret 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.

Elevate Your Career

At 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.

We 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.

Sierra 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.

Application Deadline: This role will remain posted until a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Please 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.

Sierra 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.