Chief Engineer

Sierra Nevada Corporation • Plano, TX

2d

About The Position

The Chief Engineer provides technical leadership, guidance, and oversight throughout the product development lifecycle. The role maintains technical baselines across multiple programs, supports technical investment and staffing forecasts, reviews and approves proposals, and provides operational guidance to Project Engineers. It oversees technology projects for alignment with business-unit strategy and customer requirements, interfaces with customers to shape requirements and provide early-pursuit support, and contributes to program and technical reviews.

The position is within Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST), which provides command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection, and security solutions to Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial, and international customers. MST supports platform operations, engineering, and lifecycle management across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace, or a related field.
• 14 or more years of engineering experience, including at least 8 years in a leadership role; a higher-level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of systems engineering experience, including at least 5 years in ELINT, ESM, SIGINT, or related defense electronic warfare fields.
• Deep understanding of ELINT/ESM principles, architectures, and technologies, including RF system design, digital signal processing, and sensor integration.
• Hands-on experience with the systems engineering lifecycle for ELINT/ESM products, including requirements analysis, design, integration, verification, and validation.
• 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, such as MIL-STD-461, 810, 704, and 882.
• Proven record of delivering complex, mission-critical ELINT/ESM or SIGINT systems or products to government or defense customers.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance; the posting also states that current/active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility 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.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including program management, business development, manufacturing, quality, and customer stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to represent engineering to executive leadership and external customers.
• Demonstrated experience in proposal development, technical writing, and customer briefings.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.
• U.S. citizenship is required because the position requires an active U.S. Security Clearance.
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds occasionally, work at a computer for prolonged periods, and use hand and finger dexterity for computer work.
• Capability to work in potentially hazardous environments when visiting project sites.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 8–10 years of 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.
• Leadership experience in change management, mentoring, career development, training, succession planning, accountability, and annual reviews.
• Previous management experience, including recruiting employees, assigning, directing, and evaluating their work, and overseeing staffing development and maintenance.
• Passion for ideation and innovation, with the ability to motivate others around a shared vision or purpose.
• Background in Aerospace and Defense, the U.S. Department of Defense (Civilian), NASA/Civil or commercial space, and/or the U.S. Military, with an understanding of defense, aerospace, intelligence, and adjacent markets.
• Prior experience working directly with military or intelligence agencies.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• Experience applying AI tools and techniques to ESM processing.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance and oversight throughout the product lifecycle, from concept design to final release.
• Develop and maintain product-line technical baselines supporting multiple programs, ensuring consistency, continuity, and configuration control.
• Oversee and manage technology projects to ensure alignment with business-unit strategy and customer requirements.
• Review and approve proposal technical and cost volumes for alignment with company standards and customer expectations.
• Provide operational guidance to Project Engineers, ensuring technical alignment and achievement of project goals.
• Interface with customers to shape requirements and provide technical support during early pursuit phases.
• Support program and technical reviews and provide guidance on technical solution synthesis.
• Provide input on technical investment needs and staffing forecasts.

Benefits

• Annual incentive pay based on performance and commensurate with the position level.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) with a 150% match up to 6%.
• Life insurance.
• Three weeks of paid time off.
• Tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior