Program Manager

Sr Program Manager (Clearance Required)

Lead end-to-end management of a DoD program from planning to delivery and compliance success metrics.

Location: Centennial, Colorado, United States; Louisville, Colorado, United States

Compensation: $182,599 – $251,094 USD / year

Job Tags: Product

About the Role

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.

The Sr. Program Manager is responsible for leading a program and has overall responsibility and authority for that program/contract's cost, schedule, and technical performance. This role involves comprehensive program planning, execution, and resource management to ensure successful program outcomes.

In this role, you will lead a program and assume overall responsibility and authority for its cost, schedule, and technical performance, while being accountable for a program, Integrated Product Team (IPT), or portfolio of programs valued up to $250M. You will manage budgets, schedules, and execution in alignment with contractual requirements, developing and maintaining comprehensive program plans, schedules, and budgets. By monitoring program performance, you will implement corrective actions as needed to meet objectives, leveraging specific program management training in EVMS, CAM, BOE, FAR, and CAS to ensure success. You will apply advanced project management methodologies and tools, analyze financial and performance metrics to drive decisions and improvements, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including engineering, finance, and operations. Additionally, you will communicate program status, risks, and issues to stakeholders, prepare and deliver effective reports and presentations, and ensure compliance with all contractual and regulatory requirements. Building strong relationships with external customers and stakeholders will be critical, as will developing and initiating Learning & Development programs to enhance team capabilities. You will apply problem‑solving skills to address challenges, lead a single program, an IPT, or a portfolio of programs, and provide mentorship to junior managers. Development Program Managers in this role should have a strong technical background or an engineering degree, while Sustaining Program Managers should possess technical acumen, even if they do not hold an engineering degree. With an external, customer‑facing, end‑to‑end responsibility, you will lead management reviews, interface with financial teams, and drive complex program strategies. You will provide strategic knowledge of the organizational impact on programs, demonstrate proven leadership in removing obstacles that affect performance, and exhibit exceptional skills in high‑level stakeholder management and decision‑making. Mastery in leading organization‑wide program strategies, the ability to lead interdisciplinary teams in program delivery, and strong leadership skills to execute programs without direct authority will be essential to your success.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or master's +10 yrs experience).
• Typically, 12+ years of related experience.
• Certifications: Senior‑level project management certifications preferred (e.g., PfMP).
• Expert knowledge of all related program management areas, including strategic and operational aspects.
• Leadership and business management skills to direct complex programs and multiple teams.
• Ability to manage high‑profile, large‑scale programs or a substantial program portfolio.
• Advanced negotiation and conflict resolution in customer and stakeholder interactions.
• Strong financial acumen for managing and reporting on program health and performance.
• Ability to lead programs that significantly impact the organization's strategic goals.
• An active Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Agile project management methodologies.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and methodologies.
• Proficiency in using project management software tools such as Microsoft Project, JIRA, or Asana.
• Experience with risk management and mitigation strategies.
• Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma principles and practices.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively.

• Understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC) and systems engineering processes.
• Experience with contract management and negotiation.
• Familiarity with data analysis tools such as Excel, Tableau, or Power BI.
• Strong technical writing skills for creating detailed project documentation and reports.
• Understanding of supply chain management and logistics as they pertain to program execution.
• Ability to conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Range: $182,599 – $251,094. 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.

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.

Clearance Requirements

This position requires current/active 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) handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants.

Equal Opportunity & Accommodations

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.