Sierra Nevada Corporation

Chief Engineer

Sierra Nevada Corporation$150K — $180K *
Plano, TX 75025In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace, or related field
  • 14+ years of engineering experience with at least 8+ years in a leadership role
  • Deep understanding of ELINT/ESM technologies and RF system design
  • Minimum 20+ years of systems engineering experience in defense electronic warfare
  • Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in a national security environment

Responsibilities

  • Provide technical guidance throughout the product lifecycle
  • Develop and maintain technical baselines for multiple programs
  • Oversee technology projects to ensure alignment with strategy
  • Review and approve technical proposals to meet company standards
  • Interface with customers to shape requirements and provide support
  • Support program and technical reviews with guidance on solutions

Benefits

  • Generous medical, dental, and vision plans
  • 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%
  • 3 weeks paid time off
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Annual incentive pay based on performance
Full Job Description
Join our team as a Chief Engineer and lead the charge in innovation and efficiency. Leverage cutting-edge technology and your unparalleled expertise to drive our projects beyond the boundaries of possibility. As a Chief Engineer you will play a pivotal role in providing technical leadership, guidance, and oversight throughout the product development lifecycle. You will be responsible for maintaining technical baselines, ensuring consistency across multiple programs, and providing input on technical investment needs and staffing forecasts. Additionally, you will review and approve proposals and provide operational guidance to project engineers.

Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership
  • Provide technical guidance and oversight throughout the product lifecycle, from concept design to final release.

Technical Baseline Management
  • Develop and maintain product line technical baselines that support multiple programs, ensuring consistency, continuity, and configuration control.

Project Oversight
  • Oversee and manage technology projects, ensuring alignment with business unit strategy and customer requirements.

Proposal Review
  • Review and approve proposal technical and cost volumes to ensure alignment with company standards and customer expectations.

Operational Guidance
  • Provide operational guidance to Project Engineers, ensuring technical alignment and project goal achievement.

Customer Interface
  • Interface with customers to shape requirements and provide technical support during early pursuit phases.

Technical Reviews
  • Support program and technical reviews, providing guidance on technical solution synthesis.


Qualifications You Must Have:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace, or a related field.
  • 14+ years of engineering experience with at least 8+ years in a leadership role.
  • Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
  • Deep understanding of ELINT/ESM principles, architectures, and technologies, including RF system design, digital signal processing, and sensor integration
  • Hands-on experience in system engineering lifecycle (requirements analysis, design, integration, verification, and validation) for ELINT/ESM products
  • Experience performing RF cascade analysis for complex RF systems
  • Experience analyzing threat databases used for ESM intelligence libraries
  • Extensive knowledge of Radar parameter measurements and measurement techniques
  • Experience with hardware/software integration, real-time embedded systems, and C4ISR systems
  • Knowledge of relevant military standards and compliance (e.g., MIL-STD-461, 810, 704, 882
  • Minimum 20+ years of systems engineering experience, with at least 10 years in Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Electronic Support Measures (ESM), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), or related defense electronic warfare fields
  • At least 5 years in engineering management at the director level or higher, leading multidisciplinary engineering teams in a defense or national security environment
  • Proven track record of successfully delivering complex, mission-critical ELINT/ESM or SIGINT systems or products to government or defense customers
  • The ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required
  • Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing engineering teams
  • Experience in strategic planning, resource management, and budget oversight for large-scale engineering programs
  • Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams (program management, business development, manufacturing, quality, and customer stakeholders)
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills; able to represent engineering to executive leadership and external customers
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities
  • Demonstrated experience in proposal development, technical writing, and customer briefings
  • Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required

Qualifications We Prefer:
  • Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • 8-10 years relevant leadership and/or project management experience.
  • Familiarity with industry standards and regulations in the Aerospace and Defense sector.
  • Experience with advanced engineering tools and methodologies.
  • Proven leadership abilities inclusive of successful change management, mentoring, career development, training, succession planning, holding people accountable, and conducting yearly reviews.
  • Proven experience and skills in team building, time management, conflict resolution, communication, briefing, presentation, and strategic thinking.
  • Ability to quickly grasp technical concepts and understand complex technical and program interdependencies.
  • Previous management experience; ability to recruit employees; assign, direct, and evaluate their work; and oversee staffing development and maintenance.
  • Demonstrated passion for ideation and innovation, as well as motivating others to act by creating a shared sense of vision or purpose.
  • Possess a strategic mindset, linking technology and business.
  • Team oriented with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry, the US Department of Defense (Civilian), NASA/Civil or commercial space and/or US Military, with an understanding of defense, aerospace, intelligence, and adjacent markets.
    Prior experience working directly with military or intelligence agencies
  • Experience with agile development methodologies and digital engineering practices
  • Active Top Secret/SCI clearance
  • Experience applying AI tools and techniques to ESM processing


Essential Functions:
  • 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.
  • Occasional travel to customer or field locations may be required.
  • 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.

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.

About Sierra Nevada Corporation

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is an American privately held electronic systems provider and systems integrator specializing in microsatellites, telemedicine, and commercial orbital transportation services. The company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Sparks, Nevada. SNC has a workforce of over 4,000 employees and operates in 33 locations in 19 U.S. states, United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey, and Australia. The company's products and services include spacecraft, aircraft, electronics, and cyber security. SNC is committed to providing innovative solutions that help customers achieve their goals.
Learn more about Sierra Nevada Corporation
Size
4,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1980

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