Sierra Nevada Corporation

Principal Systems Engineer - SIL

Sierra Nevada Corporation$120K — $145K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 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.
  • Extensive leadership experience in systems engineering.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of multiple engineering principles and practices.
  • Advanced understanding of requirements management, systems design, integration, and V&V principles.

Responsibilities

  • Lead multidisciplinary systems engineering activities across IPTs and organizational boundaries.
  • Plan and coordinate systems design and requirement development from early PDR through CDR and subsequent test and verification activities.
  • Establish structure and technical direction with incomplete or evolving requirements.
  • Ensure cross-IPT requirements integration is complete, consistent, traceable, verifiable, and allocated correctly.
  • Drive systems engineering planning and execution across teams, external organizations, and subcontractors.
  • Facilitate technical reviews, working groups, and formal engineering reviews.
  • Mentor fellow engineers and maintain high standards of engineering excellence.

Benefits

  • Generous benefit package including medical, dental, and vision plans.
  • 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%.
  • Life insurance provided.
  • 3 weeks paid time off.
  • Tuition reimbursement available.
Full Job Description
As a Systems Engineer, you will apply broad expertise across requirements development, system architecture, integration, and Verification & Validation (V&V). You will support the design, execution, and analysis of testing within our Systems Integration Lab (SIL), ensuring that hardware, software, and interface components integrate seamlessly and meet performance expectations. Your role includes developing and managing test requirements, evaluating component pedigree and configuration effectivities, and ensuring system baselines remain coherent and traceable throughout the lifecycle.
You will engage in technical planning, risk management, and integration activities, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to ensure system readiness and mission success. Strong leadership, communication, and coordination skills are essential, enabling you to drive innovation, mentor fellow engineers, and uphold the highest standards of engineering excellence.

Responsibilities:
  • Lead multidisciplinary systems engineering activities across IPTs and organizational boundaries
  • Plan and coordinate systems design and requirement development from early PDR through CDR and subsequent test and verification activities
  • Works effectively with incomplete or evolving requirements establishing structure and technical direction
  • Own cross-IPT requirements integration ensuring they are complete, consistent, traceable, verifiable, and allocated to the appropriate systems/subsystems
  • Drive systems engineering planning and execution across internal engineering teams, external orgs, and subcontractors
  • Experience developing and maintaining systems architectures and technical baselines
  • Experience developing SOWs and technical requirements for subcontractors
  • Experience with creation of CDRLs and the development of technical data deliverables
  • Capable of translating program level objectives into executable technical plans and engineering activities
  • Facilitates technical reviews, working groups, and other formal engineering reviews
  • Ability to transform system designs and requirements into an operational lab environment
  • Demonstrated ability to operate as the technical integration lead with hands on experience integration complex hardware, software, network, communications, and test systems within a systems integration lab environment
  • Experience troubleshooting and resolving system-level integration issues


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.
  • 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.


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.
  • Expert proficiency with Systems modeling and simulation tools.
  • 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.


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 Top 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.

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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