Principal Systems Engineer

Sierra Nevada Corp; Plano (TX); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

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

Life insurance

Paid time off (3 weeks)

Tuition reimbursement

Performance incentive pay

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Corp (SNC) is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead requirements engineering, systems integration, V&V, and MBSE for complex defense programs. You will guide technical planning, risk management, and lifecycle management across air, land, sea, and space domains, mentoring senior engineers and engaging customers worldwide.

The role requires strong leadership, communication, and collaboration, with travel as needed and a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of systems engineering or related experience; advanced degrees may offset part of the experience.
• Demonstrated leadership directing systems engineering on complex development programs.
• Expert proficiency with modeling, simulation, and analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of SE principles, processes, and lifecycle.
• Experience in RF engineering and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and integration of ESM systems for airborne, ship, and ground platforms.
• Demonstrate expert-level requirements engineering, systems integration, V&V, and MBSE.
• Oversee complex system and decision analysis, technical planning, and risk management.
• Manage major project deliverables and align with organizational goals.
• Mentor and guide team members; ensure effective communication.
• Engage with domestic and international customers; support system deployments.

Skills

Requirements engineering

Systems integration

V&V

MBSE

Technical leadership

Risk management

Architecture design

Project management

Customer communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Systems Engineering / EE / ME

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 Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering and full lifecycle management across domains – air, land, sea, space and cyber.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and integration of Electronic Support Measures (ESM) systems for airborne, ship-based, and ground-based defense platforms.
• Exhibit expert-level skills in requirements engineering, systems integration, V&V, and MBSE.
• Oversee and lead complex system and decision analysis, technical planning, and risk management activities.
• Manage major project deliverables and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Leverage deep knowledge in architecture/design development, technical monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Provide strong leadership and effective communication.
• Mentor and guide team members.
• Support requirements management and project management activities.
• Engage with domestic and international customers; support system deployments and customer meetings, including travel as needed.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of systems engineering or related experience; advanced degrees may be considered in lieu of a portion of the experience requirement.
• Demonstrated leadership experience directing systems engineering efforts on complex development programs.
• Expert proficiency with systems modeling, simulation, and analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, processes, and best practices throughout the system lifecycle.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams in a complex development environment.
• Thorough understanding of requirements management, including requirements decomposition, derivation, allocation, traceability, and verification.
• Strong knowledge of systems architecture, systems integration, technical risk management, and verification and validation (V&V) methodologies.
• Knowledge of industry-standard systems engineering frameworks and design methodologies.
• Experience in Radio Frequency (RF) engineering, including RF system architecture, signal analysis, receiver/sensor integration, and hardware test activities.
• Proven ability to lead technical baseline development and maturation, including execution of complex trade studies and engineering decision analyses.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Aerospace and Defense industry experience.
• Experience with Electronic Support Measures (ESM), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), or Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) systems.
• Experience defining, integrating, and validating SIGINT, ELINT, and ESM capabilities and systems.
• Advanced experience with requirements management and system modeling tools such as DOORS, Cameo, and MATLAB.
• Experience establishing, monitoring, and managing Technical Performance Measures (TPMs).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.

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.

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.