Mechanical Engineer III

Sierra Space

Mechanical Engineer III focusing on spacecraft processing and launch operations at Sierra Space. Supporting and executing critical ground operations for test, launch, and landing campaigns.

Posted 6/19/2026full-timeLouisville • Colorado • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $110,664 - $152,184 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Support and execute ground operations for test, launch, and landing campaigns at sites across multiple facilities
Perform spacecraft and launch vehicle processing activities including MES authoring, procedure validation, integration operations, and post-flight recovery
Execute hazardous operations procedures, maintain facility protocols, and verify compliance with range safety and quality requirements
Coordinate with cross-functional teams including engineering, quality, launch vehicle providers, and range operations to support mission success
Document processing activities, anomalies, and lessons learned
Travel required to support field operations at government-regulated aerospace facilities and commercial spaceports during campaign execution phases
Support spacecraft processing from end of production through integrated test into launch and landing including: MES authoring and ownership, procedure validation, payload integration, propellant loading operations, electrical and mechanical checkouts, configuration management, flight hardware handling and logistics coordination
Perform spacecraft integration activities with launch vehicles, including mating to adapters, encapsulation within payload fairings, and interface verification
Validate Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and verify compliance with launch provider requirements
Execute hazardous procedures for propellant loading and other critical activities while maintaining clean room protocols to prevent contamination
Verify compliance with range safety requirements and quality standards
Support risk assessments for non-standard operations
Document processing activities and anomalies and incorporate lessons learned into procedures and processes
Support coordination with launch vehicle teams, range operations, mission/flight operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders
Communicate with external stakeholders including program customers and launch providers during launch campaigns

Requirements

What you’ll need

Requires Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +3 yrs experience)
Typically 5+ years of related experience
Expertise in Mechanical Engineering technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques and general knowledge of related disciplines
Experience managing discrete technical packages as a Responsible Engineer (RE)
Ability to provide guidance to entry-level engineers
Ability to provide solutions to wide-ranging technical problems that are imaginative, thorough, practical, and consistent with organization objectives
Ability to work under general direction to independently determine and develop approaches to solutions.

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical, dental, and vision plans
401(k) with 150% match up to 6%
life insurance
3 weeks paid time off
professional development opportunities

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

MES authoringprocedure validationintegration operationspost-flight recoverypropellant loading operationselectrical checkoutsmechanical checkoutsconfiguration managementflight hardware handlinghazardous operations procedures

Soft Skills

guidance to entry-level engineersproblem-solvingindependent workcommunication with stakeholderscoordination with cross-functional teams

Certifications

Bachelor's degree in related fieldMaster's degree (preferred)