Sierra Space Careers: Dare to Dream

We honor those that are not afraid to dream big dreams, those that tenaciously chase their dreams even when others say it cannot be done, those that achieve big dreams and change everything. Those are Dreams Worth Chasing.  

 

At Sierra Space we envision a future where humanity lives and works in space, on moons, and on distant planets. Our mission isn’t restricted to the few, instead we see a future where all people can choose to live, work, discover and explore beyond our planet. Our company is building a platform in space to benefit life on Earth and together we will alter the course of humanity.  

We have a bold mission. We are a bold company. Together, we are an extraordinary team.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to fill the role of Vice President of Propulsion and Environmental Systems. In this executive position, you will be responsible for overseeing the development, optimization, and implementation of cutting-edge propulsion technologies and environmentally sustainable systems within our organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Be a passionate representative of all Madison, WI worksite employees - spanning multiple buildings and up to 300 employees.

• Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team of engineers focused on propulsion and environmental systems.

• Drive the strategic vision for propulsion technologies, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and industry trends.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate innovative propulsion solutions into our products, emphasizing efficiency and performance.

• Oversee the research and development of next-generation propulsion systems, staying abreast of emerging technologies and advancements in the field.

• Establish and maintain relationships with key industry partners, suppliers, and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and stay ahead of environmental regulations.

• Develop and manage budgets, timelines, and resources for all projects related to propulsion and environmental systems.

• Drive sustainability initiatives, incorporating environmentally friendly practices into our propulsion systems and overall operations.

• Provide strategic guidance to support business growth and market competitiveness in the propulsion sector.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify and prioritize opportunities for continuous improvement in propulsion and environmental performance.

• Communicate effectively with executive leadership, presenting updates, proposals, and performance metrics.

About You

Our mission is driven by the unwavering passion to push the boundaries of what is possible. We seek those who Dare to Dream — to envision the extraordinary and pursue it relentlessly – to join us on this transformational journey.   

  

We’re looking for dreamers who align with our values, vision and audacious goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in engineering or a related field; MBA is a plus.

• Relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of required education.  

• Proven ability to be highly effective in a heavily matrixed organization - often needing to influence and drive decision-making with geographically dispersed teams and peers. 

• Proven leadership experience in the aerospace, propulsion, automotive, or related industries.

• In-depth knowledge of propulsion technologies, environmental regulations, and sustainability practices.

• Strong understanding of research and development processes, project management, and budgeting.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Strategic thinker with a track record of driving innovation and achieving business objectives.

• Demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing teams.

• Proven experience in collaborating with external partners and industry stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Typically 20+ years of relevant experience; 15+ years demonstrated program management experience; 15+ years in a supervisory or management capacity; 15+ years direct work experience in engineering or program management of aerospace/defense programs

• Master's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, management or related field

• Advanced skills in assessing external competition by gathering data from multiple, often disparate, qualitative, and qu