Chief Architect

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

The Chief Architect will provide technical vision and architectural leadership to a major program or programs, ensuring strategic design excellence and technical feasibility. The primary responsibility of this role is to define and maintain the technical architecture and standards across programs, establishing the foundational design that guides all engineering execution. This involves leading high-level system architecture decisions, developing long-term technology roadmaps, and determining what solutions best meet mission needs. The Chief Architect will act as a senior leader within the program team, providing expert architectural direction on complex multidisciplinary systems, ensuring what we design will work and exploring the art of the possible. This position requires deep systems architecture expertise and the ability to build and execute technical strategies that span multiple programs.

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:

Provide architectural leadership and strategic technical vision to major programs, defining the overall system architecture and technical standards that govern program execution. Establish architectural frameworks and design principles, making high-level decisions on system structure, technology selection, and integration approaches that address what architecture best meets mission needs and why. Develop and maintain long-term technology roadmaps, identifying emerging technologies and innovative solutions that position programs for future success. Work at the beginning of the program lifecycle to ensure that what we are designing will work, conducting architectural trade studies, evaluating technical feasibility, and validating that proposed designs can achieve mission objectives. Serve as an advisor across all programs, providing architectural consultation and solving the most challenging design problems that span multiple initiatives. Drive architectural innovation and standardization, establishing reusable design patterns and common technical approaches that enhance efficiency across programs. Take an active role in program milestone meetings and early-phase proposals, partnering with program leadership to shape technical strategies and define architectural baselines. Embody the company's culture and leadership values, acting as a catalyst for change by building architectural strategies that explore the art of the possible and identifying the steps needed to execute them across programs. Translate technical vision into coherent architectures, making final decisions on architectural approaches and design direction, and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Uphold and model company values, holding others accountable to these standards while interacting with internal and external executive-level management. Drive innovation in architectural practices, stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends, and contribute to the development of technical strategies and architectural roadmaps that support long-term organizational objectives.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +14 yrs experience).
• Typically requires 16+ years of related experience.
• An active Top Secret with SCI eligibility U.S. Security Clearance is required Deep systems architecture expertise with demonstrated ability to define and lead technical architecture across complex programs.
• Demonstrated experience leading architectural design for significant projects, making high-level design decisions, and establishing technical standards across multiple disciplines.
• Demonstrated use of first principles and architectural thinking to evaluate design alternatives and define optimal system architectures for program success.
• Experience acting as a technical architect and strategic advisor, providing expert guidance on system design, technology selection, and architectural feasibility for complex engineering programs.
• Upholds and models company values; ability to hold others accountable to values.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to articulate technical vision and architecture to diverse audiences.
• In-depth knowledge of industry standards, architectural frameworks, design patterns, and best practices in systems architecture.
• Able to build architectural strategy; identify and implement the steps needed to execute strategy across programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in engineering, aerospace, computer science, or a related discipline, providing a deeper understanding of complex architectural concepts and advanced system design skills.
• Extensive experience in the aerospace industry or a closely related field, with a proven track record of successful architectural definition and technical vision leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation within architectural practices, staying current with emerging technologies, and defining cutting-edge system architectures to enhance mission performance and enable new capabilities.
• Exceptional leadership abilities with a proven capacity to influence, inspire, and drive change within technical teams and across the organization.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior architects and engineers.
• Solid experience in architectural governance, including planning, definition, and oversight of large-scale system architectures.
• Ability to establish standards, frameworks, and technology roadmaps effectively.
• Strong strategic planning skills, with the ability to develop and implement long-term architectural strategies and technology roadmaps that align with organizational objectives.
• Proven ability to work effectively with executive-level management, providing clear and concise architectural insights and recommendations.
• Experience presenting complex technical vision and design rationale to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience managing relationships with external stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and technology partners.
• Ability to represent the company in architectural discussions and strategic technology planning.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across different functions within the organization, including engineering, operations, and business development, to achieve common architectural and strategic goals.
• A strong commitment to continuous innovation, with a proactive approach to identifying and implementing architectural patterns and best practices that advance the state of the art.
• A history of technical publications, patents, or industry presentations that demonstrate thought leadership and contributions to the field of system architecture and advanced aerospace design.
• Relevant professional certifications, such as Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, enterprise architecture certifications (e.g., TOGAF), or certifications in specific architectural domains relevant to the role.

Compensation:

Pay Range: $198,936.00 - $273,537.00 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 current/active Top Secret with SCI eligibility 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.

• 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.

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.

About Sierra Space Headquartered in Colorado, Sierra Space is a mission-proven Defense Tech company delivering satellite platforms, critical subsystems, reusable spaceplanes, hypersonic technologies, propulsion systems, and infrastructure for the nation’s most critical missions. With more than three decades of heritage and a record of flight-proven success in space, Sierra Space is trusted by U.S. National Security, Civil customers, and global allies. Our technologies safeguard our nation, sustain human exploration in space, and ensure the freedom of operations beyond Earth. Sierra Space is defining the new era of Space Defense, strengthening deterrence today and preserving freedom of action for generations to come.