Principal Systems Engineer

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC); Englewood (CO); Hybrid; USD 173,000 - 238,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision plans

401(k) with 150% match

Life insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) in Englewood, CO is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead requirements engineering, MBSE, V&V, and system integration across complex defense programs.

You will mentor senior engineers, guide technical planning, manage risk, and drive lifecycle management while collaborating across multi-disciplinary teams in a hybrid work environment with occasional travel. Airbus-like standards and security requirements apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 14+ years of experience in systems engineering or related field; higher degree may substitute for experience.
• Expert proficiency with systems modeling and simulation tools.
• Extensive leadership experience in systems engineering.
• Progressive experience in multi-disciplinary design and development teams.
• Advanced understanding of requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation; systems design, systems integration, V&V principles.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate mastery in requirements engineering, systems integration, V&V, and MBSE.
• Interpret and implement technical interface specifications and standards for component subsystems.
• Troubleshoot to address hardware/software interface issues and define input/output parameters for system integration.
• Guide strategic system and decision analysis, technical planning, and risk management initiatives.
• Manage critical project components and influence project direction.
• Apply expertise in architecture/design development, technical monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Exhibit leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Mentor senior engineers and drive innovation.

Skills

Requirements engineering

MBSE

V&V

Systems integration

Technical leadership

Risk management

Leadership

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s in Systems/EE/ME

Master’s preferred

Tools

Systems modeling tools

DOORS

Cameo

MATLAB

Job description

Are you a bold thinker? We dream big at SNC—advocating the exploration of space, keeping service members safe and creating the systems that keep our world united and sustain our way of living. Join our team! As a Principal Systems Engineer, you will demonstrate mastery in requirements engineering, systems integration, Verification & Validation (V&V), and Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). You will guide strategic system and decision analysis, technical planning, and risk management initiatives. You will manage critical project components, applying extensive expertise in architecture/design development, technical monitoring, and lifecycle management. Your role requires exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills to drive innovation, mentor senior engineers, and achieve strategic objectives.

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:

• Demonstrate mastery in requirements engineering, systems integration, V&V, and MBSE.
• Interpret and implement technical interface specifications and standards for component subsystems.
• Troubleshoot to address hardware/software interface issues and define input/output parameters to ensure system integration.
• Guide strategic system and decision analysis, technical planning, and risk management initiatives.
• Manage critical project components and influence project direction.
• Apply extensive expertise in architecture/design development, technical monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Exhibit exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Mentor senior engineers and drive innovation.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 14+ years of experience in systems engineering or related field.
• Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
• Expert proficiency with Systems modeling and simulation tools.
• Extensive leadership experience in systems engineering.
• Demonstrated knowledge of multiple Engineering principles and practices.
• Progressive experience working in multi-disciplinary design and development teams.
• Advanced understanding of requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation; systems design, systems integration, technical risk identification and management strategies, and V&V principles.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Expertise in advanced systems technologies (e.g., AI, machine learning, cloud computing).
• Familiar with real-time operating systems and embedded systems.
• Experience with requirements management and system modelling tools, such as DOORS, Cameo, MATLAB.
• Advanced Knowledge of industry-standard mechanical design principles, to include, but not limited to requirements management, MBSE.
• Experience or certification in International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) standards [Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)].
• Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry.
• Progressive experience leading baseline definition and maturation in a complex development setting, including the use of high impact trade studies.
• Ability to establish and track key Technical Performance Measurements (TPM).
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Agile methodologies and Scrum Master certification.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to work on a computer for extended periods.
• Hand/finger dexterity for system modeling and documentation.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment with occasional travel.

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

Estimated Starting Salary Range: $173,260.72 - $238,233.49. Compensation varies depending on a wide array of factors, such as candidates' key skills, relevant work experience, and education/training/certifications. The disclosed range estimate may be adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.

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 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.