Principal Mechanical Engineer

Sierra Nevada Corporation; Plano (TX); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with 150% match

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Corporation is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead strategic mechanical engineering initiatives in a high-stakes aerospace/defense environment. You will mentor senior engineers and oversee complex, compliant projects from concept to delivery.

The role requires a PhD preferred, 14+ years of experience, and strong expertise in advanced design, FEA/CFD, GD&T, and CAE tools. Hybrid work options and a comprehensive benefits package are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Mechanical or Aerospace engineering.
• 14+ years of experience in mechanical engineering or a related role.
• PhD and recognized contributions with published research preferred.
• Experience with Computer Aided Engineering tools and multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning for mechanical engineering initiatives and projects.
• Develop and implement innovative mechanical solutions for aerospace/defense applications.
• Mentor senior engineers and oversee complex mechanical projects.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to drive engineering excellence.

Skills

Mechanical Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Technical Leadership

Mentoring

Engineering Analysis

FEA

CFD

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

PhD in a related field

Tools

CAD

CAE tools

GD&T

Job description

Introduction

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 designing and developing innovative solutions to solve tough problems? Join our team to deliver technological solutions in a rapid and agile production environment. As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will provide visionary leadership in mechanical engineering, driving innovative solutions for aerospace and defense applications. You will oversee critical projects, mentor senior engineers, and contribute to strategic planning and decision‑making.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning for mechanical engineering initiatives and projects.
• Develop and implement innovative mechanical solutions.
• Serve as a subject matter expert, providing guidance and mentorship to senior engineers.
• Oversee the execution of critical and complex mechanical engineering projects.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive engineering excellence.

Qualifications

You Must Have

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 14+ years of experience in mechanical engineering or a related role.
• Extensive experience in advanced mechanical design and analysis principles.
• PhD in a related field.
• Recognized contributions to the field of mechanical engineering with published research.
• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering principles and practices.
• Experience with Computer Aided Engineering tools.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary design and development teams.

We Prefer

• PhD in a related field.
• Recognized contributions to the field of mechanical engineering.
• Experience applying and interpreting Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5.
• Experience in Engineering Simulation such as Finite Element structural Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Thermal Analysis.
• Experience in the Aerospace and Defense Industry.
• Knowledge of industry standard mechanical design principles, to include, but not limited to parametric design, model-based definition, material hardware selection, manufacturing and production processes.
• Knowledge of environmental requirements for components utilized in aircraft and space applications.
• Experience providing technical guidance to a diverse team of engineers on issues related to mechanical engineering.
• Experience with manufacturing, production, and product support to include disposition of engineering non-conformances.
• Experience with FAA, NASA, and/or DoD design and construction regulations.

Essential Functions

• Ability to work on a computer for extended periods.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Ability to work in an office or hybrid environment.
• Applying systematic and logical problem‑solving techniques to develop mechanical designs.
• Clearly convey technical information, design specifications, and project updates to team members, stakeholders, and management.
• Ability to understand technical documents, designs and test reports.

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

Benefits and Compensation

SNC offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position. 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 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.

About the Company

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.

SNC is a trusted global leader in aerospace and national security. Our innovative solutions enable connected protection through command, control and communications systems, as well as ISR, cyber, electromagnetic spectrum management, and other high capabilities for systems across all domains – sea, land, air, space and cyber. As a longstanding leader in defense technology, SNC is the optimum intersection of commercial, defense and non‑traditional contractors. We are one of the only privately owned mid‑tier A&D contractors and we pride ourselves on our ability to invest early and often to ensure mission success on or ahead of schedule. It’s part of our mission to always stay one step ahead; working on solutions today to solve the problems of tomorrow.

Founded in 1963, SNC is owned by Chairwoman Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen.