Principal Engineering Technician – SAOC SIL Operations

Sierra Nevada Corp; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision plans

401(k) with 150% match up to 6%

Life insurance

3 weeks paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

More

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Corp in Dayton, OH is hiring a senior Engineering Technician V to lead complex SI/LAB precision work, calibrations, and testing. You will mentor junior staff, coordinate multi-discipline teams, and ensure safety, quality and configurations are maintained across programs.

This role requires an active security clearance and the ability to support sensitive national security systems. You will work in a fast-paced environment focused on reliable, high-performance ISR and C4ISR hardware.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or higher with extensive technician experience; 7+ years with degree, or 9+ years without.
• Experience interpreting technical schematics, diagrams, blueprints, manuals, and specs.
• Working knowledge of lab test equipment and hand/power tools.
• Expertise in maintenance and troubleshooting across hardware, software, networking, and RF.
• Ability to lead and review work of junior technicians; strong communication is essential.
• Willingness to obtain/maintain security clearance (Active Secret, TS/SCI).

Responsibilities

• Oversee complex technical projects and daily SIL operations in coordination with the SIL Operations Manager.
• Operate, install, integrate, troubleshoot complex lab systems and equipment.
• Mentor and supervise junior technicians; ensure safety and quality documentation.
• Develop SOPs, maintenance procedures, and checklists; maintain records.
• Lead calibration/testing processes; manage status, due dates, and traceability.
• Coordinate cross-functional technical support across teams (hardware, software, cyber, etc.).
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, security, and configuration-management standards.

Skills

Leadership

Strong communication

Independent work

Multidisciplinary teamwork

System troubleshooting

Education

Associate degree +7+ years

9+ years experience in lieu of degree

Higher degree may substitute

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Network analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Power meters

Cable testers

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.

Do you enjoy being the resident expert mentoring others in your area of expertise? Join our team and take your career to new heights! The Engineering Technician V serves as the senior technical expert, overseeing the most complex projects and ensuring the highest standards of technical performance in constructing, troubleshooting, calibrating, and maintaining advanced systems. This role involves significant leadership responsibilities and cross-functional collaboration.

Principal Expectations:

Principal candidates will serve as a senior technical expert, provide expert-level troubleshooting and maintenance direction, lead advanced calibration and testing, interpret complex data, establish laboratory procedures and standards, coordinate competing priorities, and advise the SIL Operations Manager on staffing, tooling, spares, maintenance, safety, and system readiness.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage complex technical projects and daily SIL operations in coordination with the SIL Operations Manager.
• Operate, install, integrate, maintain, configure, and troubleshoot complex laboratory systems and equipment.
• Assign and coordinate daily work for junior engineering technicians; mentor, train, guide, and inspect technician work.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, maintenance procedures, work instructions, checklists, and safety documentation.
• Perform system checkout, equipment configuration, hardware and software updates, and operational readiness activities.
• Troubleshoot issues across hardware, software, networking, power, RF, and system interfaces using a structured, evidence-based approach.
• Lead and coordinate calibration and testing processes; maintain calibration status, records, due dates, traceability, and out-of-tolerance actions.
• Use laboratory test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, power meters, cable testers, and other measurement equipment.
• Support AC/DC power distribution, UPS systems, batteries, grounding and bonding, and safe equipment power-up and power-down procedures.
• Support RF systems and equipment, including transmitters, receivers, antennas, signal paths, RF distribution, coaxial and waveguide components, and connectors.
• Maintain configuration baselines, equipment inventories, serial numbers, software and firmware records, maintenance documentation, and discrepancy reports.
• Analyze and interpret complex test and maintenance data and provide technical recommendations to operations and engineering leadership.
• Coordinate technical support and troubleshooting with systems, software, mechanical, electrical, cyber, network, and other technical teams.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, security, configuration-management, and technical standards.
• Participate in integration events, readiness reviews, anomaly resolution, technical reviews, and customer or program meetings.
• Recommend improvements to tooling, spares, procedures, maintenance practices, technician training, and system readiness.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Associate’s degree in a related field and 7+ years of technician or related experience; or 9+ years of related experience in lieu of the degree.
• A higher-level relevant degree may substitute for experience. Relevant experience may include systems integration, engineering laboratories, test operations, maintenance, field service, aerospace/defense systems, or a related technical field.
• Ability to understand and interpret complex technical schematics, diagrams, blueprints, manuals, publications, wiring diagrams, cable drawings, and technical specifications.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of standard laboratory test equipment, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, oscilloscopes, other measurement equipment, hand tools, and power tools.
• Expertise in advanced system maintenance and troubleshooting across hardware, software, networking, power, RF, and system interfaces.
• Working familiarity with Windows and Linux operating systems; Ethernet and IP networking; AC/DC power systems; UPS systems; batteries; grounding and bonding; and RF systems across applicable frequency bands.
• Experience with assembly, connectors, crimping, cable installation, equipment configuration, technical procedures, calibration, configuration management, change control, equipment inventories, or controlled technical documentation.
• Ability to lead, assign, coordinate, and review work performed by junior technicians.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to analyze technical data and provide clear recommendations.
• Ability to work independently and effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Active Secret security clearance at the time of hire and ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI clearance and required program access.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Familiarity with FCC requirements and an FCC General Radio Operator License (GROL).
• Basic skills with avionics installation tooling, wiring installation and repair, connectorization, crimping, and soldering techniques.
• Previous experience in a manufacturing, aerospace, defense, Department of Defense, U.S. military, or other mission-focused technical environment.
• Experience with 3-D CAD software or similar technical design and documentation tools.
• Prior experience in a lead role with responsibility to mentor, train, guide, and inspect the work of subordinate technicians.
• Master’s degree in a related technical field.
• Experience supporting strategic research and development or advanced integration projects.
• Experience with calibration databases, asset-management systems, maintenance-management systems, ticketing systems, or configuration-management tools.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity practices applicable to operational systems and classified or controlled-access facilities.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs regularly.
• Ability to be on your feet for much of the work shift.
• Dexterity to handle and assemble small components.
• Occasional exposure to hazardous conditions and loud environments.
• Ability to travel as required.

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
• more

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

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