Hiring: Sr Director, Production Operations - Satellite and Spacecraft Company: Sierra Space Location: Louisville, CO Job Posted Time: 2026-09-03 14:19:51 Employment Type: Contract Target Skills & Keywords : Assembly, Lean Manufacturing, Manufacturing Execution Systems, Program Management, Security Clearance, Six Sigma, Systems Engineering, Top Secret Clearance About the job Experience: •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. Required Skills: •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. Qualifications: •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. •Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations, or a related technical field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree). •Active Top Secret Clearance OR Ability to Attain TS •Demonstrated success in 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. •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. Compensation: •$216,886 - $298,217 / year Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!