Principal Systems Engineer

Sierra Nevada Corporation; Lone Tree (CO); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 227,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision plans

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Corporation is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer in a hybrid role based in the United States.

The position emphasizes mastery in requirements engineering, systems integration, V&V, and MBSE to guide strategic analysis, technical planning, and risk management across critical program components.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical, 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.
• Progressive experience in multi-disciplinary design and development teams.
• Advanced understanding of requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation; systems design, integration, V&V principles.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate mastery in requirements engineering, systems integration, V&V, and MBSE.
• 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

Systems integration

V&V

MBSE

Leadership

Technical planning

Risk management

Architecture/design development

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or related

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Systems modeling tools

DOORS

Cameo

MATLAB

Job description

• Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.

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.
• 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain United States secret security clearance

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.
• Experience in the majority of the hardware product life cycle phases for either UAS or Missile systems
• Expertise with one or more of the following domains: RF sensor design and test, IR sensor design and test, Hardware-in-the-Loop, Embedded system integration and test
• Expertise with range safety/FTS concepts
• Expertise with missile command and launch interfaces and systems. i.e. MIL-STD-1553/1760/UAI/CFWICD
• Experience leading high profile test events
• Demonstrated experience leading subcontract/supplier efforts as the technical point of contact
• Demonstrated experience building a technical team

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: $165,010.21 - $226,889.04. 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.