Sierra Space Taps Lockheed Vet to Spearhead Aggressive Growth Strategy

LOUISVILLE, Colo. – March 30, 2026 – Sierra Space Corp. has appointed veteran aerospace and defense executive Jeff Schrader as its new Chief Strategy Officer, a high-profile move signaling an aggressive acceleration of the company's growth, acquisition, and national security ambitions.

Schrader, who joins the executive leadership team, is tasked with steering the Colorado-based company through its next phase of expansion. His portfolio will include corporate development, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) strategy, and securing what the company calls "franchise wins"—large, foundational contracts that solidify market leadership.

The appointment comes as Sierra Space, valued at $8 billion after its latest funding round, seeks to leverage its considerable financial backing and technological prowess to capture a larger share of the burgeoning space and defense markets.

“Jeff brings a strong combination of strategic leadership, national security expertise, operational discipline and deep understanding of our mission and customer community,” said Dan Jablonsky, CEO of Sierra Space, in a statement. “As we accelerate the business and scale for the future, Jeff will help us create long-term value, strengthen alignment across the enterprise and position Sierra Space to move faster and with greater impact.”

A Strategic Power Play

Schrader's extensive resume makes him a formidable asset in the high-stakes chess match of the global aerospace industry. He arrives from Lockheed Martin Space, where he served as Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, helping guide a multinational team supporting a massive business area valued at over $13 billion.

His career is a tour of the defense sector's most prominent names. Before Lockheed Martin, he was President of both SEAKR Engineering and Blue Canyon Technologies, leading a combined workforce of over 1,000 employees. He has also held leadership roles at RTX and General Dynamics. This deep experience across different corporate cultures and strategic challenges provides him with a unique perspective on what drives success and growth in the sector.

Schrader's appointment is a clear indicator of Sierra Space's intent to not only innovate technologically but also to execute a sophisticated corporate strategy. In a market where M&A activity is on the rise—the aerospace, defense, and space sector saw a 12% increase in deal volume in Q1 2025—having a seasoned strategist like Schrader is critical. Strategic buyers are increasingly dominant, seeking to acquire specialized technologies and top-tier engineering talent, and Sierra Space now has an experienced hand to navigate this complex landscape.

Fortifying the National Security Arsenal

Beyond corporate deal-making, Schrader's background is deeply rooted in the world of national security, aligning perfectly with Sierra Space's strategic pivot toward the defense sector. He began his career as a U.S. Air Force civil servant, advancing to become Chief Financial Officer for the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (AFRCO), an organization known for executing the nation's most critical and time-sensitive defense projects. This experience provides an invaluable understanding of government procurement and the priorities of the national security community.

This expertise will be crucial as he helps guide the company's dedicated "Sierra Space Defense" business unit, launched in June 2025 to position the firm as a prime contractor for national security space missions. The company has already demonstrated its ability to compete with and win against legacy primes, securing a landmark $740 million contract from the Space Development Agency (SDA) in January 2024. This contract involves building and operating 18 satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture's Tranche 2 Tracking Layer, a critical component of the nation's next-generation missile warning and defense system.

With $1.5 billion in national security contracts secured since 2023, Sierra Space is already a significant player. Schrader's role will be to identify and capture the next wave of franchise wins. Potential targets include future tranches of the SDA's satellite architecture, the U.S. Space Force's Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR) program, and the Kronos project for modernizing space domain awareness.

Winning the High-Stakes Talent War

The hiring of Jeff Schrader is more than just a personnel announcement; it's a strategic victory in the intense, industry-wide "talent war." In the rapidly expanding defense-tech space, the competition for experienced senior leaders who can bridge the gap between technical innovation, corporate strategy, and government relations is fierce.

Sierra Space is competing against a diverse field, from established giants like Northrop Grumman and Boeing to disruptive new-space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. By poaching a top strategist from an industry titan like Lockheed Martin, Sierra Space sends a powerful message to the market, its competitors, and potential future hires: it is a destination for top talent and a serious contender for market dominance.

This move is emblematic of a broader trend where companies are using strategic hires to gain a competitive edge. Leaders with proven track records in managing large-scale operations, driving growth, and navigating the complex regulatory and procurement environments are in high demand. Schrader’s appointment not only enhances Sierra Space's strategic capabilities but also elevates its profile and credibility within the defense and financial communities.

With a robust portfolio that includes the reusable Dream Chaser spaceplane, hypersonic technologies, and a growing satellite production line, Sierra Space is positioning itself as a multifaceted powerhouse. The addition of Jeff Schrader to its leadership team is a calculated move designed to ensure that the company's strategic execution is as advanced and ambitious as its technology.