Principal Systems Engineer

Sierra Nevada Corporation; Plano (TX); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer in Texas to lead requirements engineering, systems integration, V&V, and MBSE across complex aerospace programs for C4ISR and SAOC efforts. You will guide strategic analysis, risk management, and lifecycle activities while mentoring senior engineers.

The role requires advanced MBSE skills, Cameo/SysML experience, and a track record in multi-disciplinary teams within the aerospace and defense sector.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or related field; Master's 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 in systems engineering.
• Knowledge of multiple engineering principles and practices.
• Experience in multi-disciplinary design teams.
• Advanced understanding of requirements management, system design, and V&V.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate mastery in requirements engineering, systems integration, V&V, and MBSE.
• Guide strategic system and decision analysis, technical planning, and risk management.
• Manage critical project components and influence project direction.
• Apply expertise in architecture/design development, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Exhibit leadership, communication, and collaboration to drive innovation.

Skills

Systems engineering

MBSE

SysML

Cameo

Risk management

Multi-disciplinary teams

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Cameo

MATLAB

DOORS

Job description

• Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.

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.

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.

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.
• Experience in systems modeling with Cameo and SysML.

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 cockpit avionics equipment and interfaces for part 23, part 25, and military aircraft.
• Experience in evaluating vendor equipment.
• Experience in air to air/ground/satcom communications.
• Experience in aircraft systems.
• Familiarity with FAA and military airworthiness process.
• Experience in operating test equipment in aircraft environments.

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 current/active 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.