Project Engineer I - Air Defense

Sierra Nevada Corporation; Lone Tree (CO); Hybrid; USD 151,000 - 207,000; Full time

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Corporation in Colorado invites a Project Engineer I to support planning, coordination and execution of engineering aspects of product development projects. You will work with cross-functional teams to meet milestones, manage schedules, and assist with technical matters in a dynamic environment.

This entry-level role offers hands-on project management exposure and collaboration with engineering, manufacturing and quality teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years' experience in engineering roles.
• Higher level degree may substitute for experience.
• Knowledge of engineering principles and practice.
• Experience in multi-disciplinary design and development teams.
• Basic understanding of requirements management, system design, and integration.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing and maintaining project plans, schedules, and budgets.
• Provide technical support to project teams and interface with customers or field-based employees.
• Prepare and distribute regular status reports on project progress.
• Identify and document potential project risks and assist in mitigation plans.
• Maintain accurate project documentation including design specifications, test plans, and minutes.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure project execution.

Skills

Engineering knowledge

Requirements management

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

System design fundamentals

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master's degree or higher (substitution for experience)

Tools

MS Project

JIRA

Job description

• Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.

Are you looking to use your engineering capabilities, project management and collective skills in your next position? We could use your expertise on our team! As a Project Engineer I you will support planning, coordination, and execution of the engineering aspects of product development projects. Your role will involve working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of project milestones, managing schedules, and assisting with technical matters. This entry-level position is ideal for individuals looking to grow their engineering careers by gaining hands‑on experience in project management and technical coordination.

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

Project Coordination

• Assist in developing and maintaining project plans, schedules, and budgets.

Technical Support

• Provide technical support to project teams and interface with external customers or field-based employees as needed.

Status Reporting

• Prepare and distribute regular status reports on project progress, highlighting key achievements and potential issues.

Risk Management

• Identify and document potential project risks and assist in developing mitigation plans.

Documentation

• Maintain accurate project documentation, including design specifications, test plans, and meeting minutes.

Team Collaboration

• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure seamless project execution.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
• 8+ years' experience in engineering roles.
• Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
• Knowledge of engineering principles and practice.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary design and development team.
• Basic understanding of requirements management, system design, and integration.

Qualifications We Prefer

• 2-4 years relevant leadership and/or project management experience.
• Familiarity with project management software (e.g., MS Project, JIRA).
• Experience leading a multi-disciplinary design and development team and communicating with program management and customers.
• Familiarity with preparation and development of project estimates, technical proposals, and program cost and schedule management.
• Past history of leading baseline definition and maturation in a complex development setting, including the use of highly integrated trade studies and analysis of alternative.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and schematics, parts lists, specifications, instructions and test procedure.
• Experience or certification in International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) standard.
• Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry.

Essential Functions

• Occasional travel to customer or field locations may be required.
• Ability to work primarily in an office or hybrid environment.
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds occasionally.
• Prolonged periods of working on a computer.
• Hand and finger dexterity for computer use.
• Capability to work in potentially hazardous environments when visiting project sites.

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: $150,661.49 - $207,159.55. 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.