Manager, Software Engineering
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.
The Manager, Software Engineer provides direct supervision and mentorship to software engineers across one or more teams, setting performance expectations, conducting reviews, and fostering a culture of accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement. This individual translates software engineering functional plans into concrete operational plans, defining and tailoring development, testing, and deployment procedures using Agile, Scrum, Kanban, or DevOps methodologies appropriate to aerospace software projects. They oversee the software development lifecycle end-to-end, including version control practices and CI/CD pipeline management, to ensure efficient, repeatable, and secure software delivery. The manager ensures that all engineering activities align with applicable aerospace software development standards (e.g., DO-178B/C, NASA-STD-7150.2, NASA-STD-8739, RTCA/DO-278, Aerospace Corporation ToR guidance) and organizational quality frameworks (AS9100, ISO, CMMI), while also embedding relevant cybersecurity frameworks and compliance requirements into team practices. Responsibilities include managing software development budgets, resource allocation, and tooling investments to maximize team efficiency and return on investment. The role requires driving process improvements that enhance code quality, performance, and maintainability without compromising mission-critical reliability, and leading teams through organizational changes, including adoption of new methodologies, tools, and workflows. The manager serves as a communication bridge between engineering teams and both technical and non-technical stakeholders, clearly articulating technical concepts, project status, risks, and trade-offs to support informed decision-making. Above all, this individual upholds and models company values, holding their teams to high professional and ethical standards while fostering collaboration, innovation, and disciplined engineering practices.
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.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field required (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree).
- Several years of relevant software engineering experience, with a significant portion served in a technical and/or leadership capacity.
- Comprehensive knowledge of software development methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Kanban, DevOps) and demonstrated ability to implement and tailor these processes for aerospace software projects.
- Experience with software development lifecycle management, version control systems, and CI/CD pipelines to enable efficient and secure software delivery.
- Working knowledge of aerospace software development standards (e.g., DO-178B/C, NASA-STD-7150.2, NASA-STD-8739, RTCA/DO-278, The Aerospace Corporation's ToR-2011/2023) and quality standards (AS9100, ISO, CMMI).
- Demonstrated ability to translate software engineering functional plans into operational plans, including defining procedures for development, testing, and deployment.
- Experience managing the activities of multiple software engineering teams and providing direct supervision to software engineers.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Demonstrated commitment to upholding company values and holding software engineering teams accountable to professional standards.
- The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance is required.
- Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and compliance requirements relevant to aerospace and defense software applications.
- Skill in developing processes that optimize code quality, performance, and maintainability while meeting mission-critical requirements.
- Financial acumen with the ability to manage software development budgets, resource allocations, and tool investments.
- Experience supporting organizational change within software teams, including the implementation of new methodologies and tools.
- Proficiency in Python and React
- Experience with Python FastAPI
- Experience with Agile or Scrum/Kanban methodologies and tools (JIRA, Confluence).
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills, and efficient with collaborative tools (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket) and development ceremonies (daily standup, backlog grooming, work planning, task estimation, retrospectives, etc.).
- Experience with cloud platforms (AWS) and cloud-native development.
- Familiarity with containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
- Knowledge of database management systems (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB)
Pay Range:
$167,209.00 - $229,911.25Your 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.
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a 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.
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.
Description
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field required (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree).
- Several years of relevant software engineering experience, with a significant portion served in a technical and/or leadership capacity.
- Comprehensive knowledge of software development methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Kanban, DevOps) and demonstrated ability to implement and tailor these processes for aerospace software projects.
- Experience with software development lifecycle management, version control systems, and CI/CD pipelines to enable efficient and secure software delivery.
- Working knowledge of aerospace software development standards (e.g., DO-178B/C, NASA-STD-7150.2, NASA-STD-8739, RTCA/DO-278, The Aerospace Corporation's ToR-2011/2023) and quality standards (AS9100, ISO, CMMI).
- Demonstrated ability to translate software engineering functional plans into operational plans, including defining procedures for development, testing, and deployment.
- Experience managing the activities of multiple software engineering teams and providing direct supervision to software engineers.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Demonstrated commitment to upholding company values and holding software engineering teams accountable to professional standards.
- The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance is required.
Pay Range
$167,209.00 - $229,911.25
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 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.
- How much does the Manager, Software Engineering at Sierra Space pay?
- The posting lists a range of $167K–$230K per year. Ranges reflect what Sierra Space publicly declared on the source posting.
- Where is this Manager, Software Engineering role based?
- The role is based in Centennial, CO.
- What experience does Sierra Space expect for this role?
- The posting is tagged as a lead-level role, typically 7+ years of experience. Check the requirements section for specifics.
- Where is Sierra Space headquartered?
- Sierra Space is headquartered in Louisville, USA.
- How was this posting sourced?
- This role was pulled directly from Sierra Space's Workday careers site. Apply links open in the employer's own ATS — no reposts or aggregator middleware.
Apply links open in the employer's official ATS. Always verify recruitment messages on the company's careers page before sharing personal information.