Electric Propulsion Program Manager

Overview

Full-time program manager position providing electric propulsion support to the Flight Programs Group in the In-Space Propulsion Branch of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Rocket Propulsion Division (AFRL/RQR).  Technologies of interest span all forms of electric propulsion systems including Hall thrusters, electrosprays, radio frequency thrusters, magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters, pulsed plasma thrusters, and other advanced concepts.  Duties will include owning the end-to-end execution of electric propulsion system development programs for flight, from prior to contract kick-off through delivery. This will span document and requirement development, guiding companies through formal reviews with entrance and exit criteria, developing and maintaining milestone schedules, ensuring system requirements are met, and working in an integrated team to deliver flight-ready hardware.

Sierra Lobo, offers customers a full range of professional and technical capabilities, including Test and Evaluation, Systems Engineering, and Advanced Technologies.  We also develop products and processes related to Cryogenic Fluid and Thermal Management Systems, Densified Propellant Management Systems, and Prototype Extreme Pressure and Temperature Systems.  Our customers include the Department of Defense (DoD), the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

This position will be located at Edwards AFB, CA.

EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran

Responsibilities

DESIRED SKILLS

• Master’s degree in a technical field, systems engineering, or business.
• Experience supporting proposals, RFP development, and contract negotiations.
• Able to own the end-to-end execution of electric propulsion programs, from contract kickoff through delivery.
• Experience leading integrated product teams across engineering, manufacturing, test, and quality to achieve program milestones.
• Experience supporting or leading development of program documentation including. requirements, verification plans, and technical milestone reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, PSR, etc).
• Experience managing propulsion, spacecraft, or aerospace hardware development efforts.
• Experience developing propulsion, spacecraft, or aerospace hardware.
• Familiarity with systems engineering processes including requirements development, interface control, and verification.
• Understanding of quality assurance and configuration control practices for flight programs.
• Expertise in developing and maintaining detailed schedules, budgets, and risk registers.
• Willing to interface directly with customers, internal leadership, and subcontractors to report progress and manage expectations.
• Familiarity with quality assurance processes for flight hardware.
• Experience with model-based systems engineering or related software.
• Project Management Professional certification.

Qualifications

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or technical field, OR equivalent industry experience in aerospace or defense.
• 3+ years of direct experience as a program manager in aerospace, defense, or related high-tech fields.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing complex hardware development programs.
• Strong organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong Microsoft skills (Word, Excel, Teams, Project etc.).
• Candidate must be a US citizen.
• Must be able to obtain a US DoD security clearance.