Chief Engineer

Sierra Nevada Corporation; Lone Tree (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Corporation in Colorado is seeking a Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership across the full product lifecycle, from concept design to final release. You will maintain baselines, ensure cross-program consistency, and guide project engineers to achieve technical and schedule goals.

The role emphasizes strong communication with customers, review of proposals and cost volumes, and strategic staffing forecasts to support multiple programs within ISR, Aviation and Security.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace, or related field.
• 14+ years of engineering experience with at least 8+ years in a leadership role.
• Thorough understanding of design lifecycle management including requirements, design, integration, test, and sustainment.
• Advanced knowledge of program management, science, and engineering practices.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills with ability to adapt to technical vs. non-technical audiences.
• Experience developing and maintaining product line technical baselines that support multiple programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across the product lifecycle from concept design to final release.
• Develop and maintain product line technical baselines for multiple programs; ensure consistency and configuration control.
• Oversee and manage technology projects; align with business unit strategy and customer requirements.
• Review and approve proposal technical and cost volumes; ensure alignment with standards and expectations.
• Provide operational guidance to project engineers and interface with customers during early pursuit phases.
• Support program and technical reviews by guiding technical solution synthesis.

Skills

Technical Leadership

Project Oversight

Proposal Review

Customer Interface

Communication skills

Decision-making (BLUF)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace, or related field

Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

DevSecOps concepts

Job description

Join our team as a Chief Engineer and lead the charge in innovation and efficiency. Leverage cutting-edge technology and your unparalleled expertise to drive our projects beyond the boundaries of possibility. As a Chief Engineer you will play a pivotal role in providing technical leadership, guidance, and oversight throughout the product development lifecycle. You will be responsible for maintaining technical baselines, ensuring consistency across multiple programs, and providing input on technical investment needs and staffing forecasts. Additionally, you will review and approve proposals and provide operational guidance to project engineers.

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.

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership Provide technical guidance and oversight throughout the product lifecycle, from concept design to final release.
• Technical Baseline Management Develop and maintain product line technical baselines that support multiple programs, ensuring consistency, continuity, and configuration control.
• Project Oversight Oversee and manage technology projects, ensuring alignment with business unit strategy and customer requirements.
• Proposal Review Review and approve proposal technical and cost volumes to ensure alignment with company standards and customer expectations.
• Operational Guidance Provide operational guidance to Project Engineers, ensuring technical alignment and project goal achievement.
• Customer Interface Interface with customers to shape requirements and provide technical support during early pursuit phases.
• Technical Reviews Support program and technical reviews, providing guidance on technical solution synthesis.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace, or a related field.
• 14+ years of engineering experience with at least 8+ years in a leadership role.
• Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
• Thorough understanding of all phases of design lifecycle management to include requirements, design, integration, test, and sustainment.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of industry best practices and techniques for program management, science, and engineering programs.
• Possess advanced technical knowledge and experience; working knowledge of industry trends and historical context.
• Proven ability to work with department-level business leaders and to provide leadership within the workplace.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, including the ability to clearly express technical concepts in verbal and written forms; ability to tailor conversations to adapt to technical vs. non-technical audiences.
• Prior experience developing and maintaining product line technical baselines that support multiple programs, ensuring consistency, continuity, and configuration control.
• Experience developing technical proposals and cost volumes.
• Ability to support program and technical reviews, and provide guidance to staff on technical solution synthesis.
• Shows strong decision-making skills by clearly stating the BLUF (bottom line up front), highlighting what matters most, simplifying complex information, & making timely, well-reasoned decisions that drive the biggest impact (80/20).

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 8-10 years relevant leadership and/or project management experience.
• DEVSECOPS implementations and operations
• The use and application of open architecture standards
• Experience with Military communication systems
• A working understanding of FAA and Military airworthiness
• Experience designing for and implementing cybersecurity in information systems
• Background in aircraft design, modification, and sustainment
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulations in the Aerospace and Defense sector.
• Experience with advanced engineering tools and methodologies.
• Proven leadership abilities inclusive of successful change management, mentoring, career development, training, succession planning, holding people accountable, and conducting yearly reviews.
• Proven experience and skills in team building, time management, conflict resolution, communication, briefing, presentation, and strategic thinking.
• Ability to quickly grasp technical concepts and understand complex technical and program interdependencies.
• Previous management e