Aerospace Engineer III - Certification Engineer

Sierra Nevada Corporation; Lone Tree (CO); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) with company match

Dental and vision insurance

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is seeking an aerospace engineer specializing in aircraft certification to support the SAOC program and related MCDA projects. You will work with regulators and internal teams to ensure airworthiness compliance across the lifecycle, from concept through delivery, in a hybrid office environment in Colorado.

Applicants should have a BS in Aerospace Engineering with 6+ years of relevant experience, familiarity with MIL-HDBK-516, and the ability to obtain a Secret

Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace Engineering or related field with relevant experience.
• Experience reading and interpreting technical documentation for accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams and interface with regulatory agencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead certification planning activities to support airworthiness approvals per MIL-HDBK-516 and related standards.
• Participate in design reviews (PDR/CDR) and prepare technical presentations for authorities.
• Coordinate with program management, engineering teams, SMEs, the FAA, and military customers to align certification requirements.
• Provide guidance on airworthiness and certification to internal and external partners.
• Review compliance documentation for accuracy and regulatory adherence; develop certification reports and artifacts.
• Maintain detailed airworthiness substantiation documentation and support project milestones.

Skills

Clearance: Secret

Technical communication

Reading technical docs

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering

Job description

The ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance), Aviation, and Security (IAS) business area is a leader in ISR and aviation, it is a leading prime manned and unmanned aircraft systems integrator for innovative, high-performance ISR and aviation systems. Its end-to-end Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities encompass design, integration, test, certification, ground/flight training and complete logistics support. IAS tailors solutions to customer cost, performance, and schedule requirements and designs to consistently exceed expectations - with an unrivaled record of on time and on (or under) budget deliveries.

SNC has led thoughtful and disruptive change in the aerospace and defense industry for the past 60 years and now, we’re applying this tenacity and expertise to the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) mission. Join the SNC-led SAOC team and be a part of exciting and meaningful work to modernize and deliver the next-generation SAOC aircraft trusted by the President, Secretary of Defense and Chairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to ensure continued critical command, control and communication during national emergencies. If you’re passionate about building the airborne command post of the future, consider SNC for your next mission. Learn more about NC3 and SAOC here.

Are you passionate about turning bold ideas into real-world flying machines? Join a team of innovators on a mission to unite, explore, and inspire. As an aerospace engineer specializing in aircraft certification, you’ll play a key role in bringing cutting-edge concepts to life, working hand-in-hand with aircraft regulators to ensure our designs meet stringent military and civilian standards.

In this high-impact position, you’ll dive into every stage of the product lifecycle: from brainstorming and development to analysis, testing, and delivery. Every day presents new challenges, as you help solve a wide variety of technical puzzles related to aircraft design, modification, and operation. You’ll collaborate across the organization, gaining exposure to nearly every discipline and taking a big-picture view of what makes our air systems excel. If you’re ready to help shape the future of aerospace, we’d love to have you on board!

Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate certification planning activities to support military airworthiness approval for Military Commercial Derivative Aircraft (MCDA) Projects, including development of certification and compliance planning documents.
• Actively participate in internal and external design and management reviews (i.e. PDR, CDR), including preparation of technical presentations and documentation for review by airworthiness authorities.
• Collaborate closely with program management, engineering teams, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), the FAA, and military customers to ensure clear communication and alignment of certification requirements.
• Provide guidance on airworthiness and certification requirements to both internal stakeholders and external partners, supporting teams in navigating complex military certification challenges and processes.
• Review compliance documentation for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to applicable regulatory and military standards, including MIL-HDB-516.
• Develop, author, and maintain detailed compliance documentation, certification reports, and other required artifacts to support successful airworthiness substantiation and project milestones.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or other related discipline and typically 6 or more years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading military aircraft certification projects in accordance with MIL-HDBK-516, including developing certification plans, establishing certification basis, proposing Methods of Compliance, and proposing compliance artifacts.
• Experience in reading, reviewing and interpreting technical documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable military and regulatory regulations.
• Experience working in the Aerospace and/or Defense Industry.
• Communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams and interface with miliary and regulatory agencies.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet project deadlines.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Prior experience supporting military airworthiness approvals for MCDA projects, specifically utilizing FAA Order 8110.101A.
• Experience coordinating certification approvals with the FAA Aircraft Certification Office, Organization Designation Authorization (ODA), Delegated Engineering Representatives (DERs)/Unit Members or other certifying authorities.
• Familiarity with FAA Certification Standards and processes, including 14 CFR Part 21, 23, and 25.
• Background or formal training in project management.
• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.
• Work in an office or hybrid environment.
• May require lifting up to 25 lbs occasionally.

This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs.

SNC offers 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, tuition reimbursement, and more.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret 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.

Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances.

SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We're known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation’s most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state-of-the-art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team!

SNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment free of discrimination.Employment decisions are made based on merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.