Principal Engineering Technician – SAOC SIL Operations

Sierra Nevada Corporation•Dayton, OH

About The Position

The Principal Engineering Technician serves as a senior technical expert supporting SAOC SIL operations. The role oversees complex technical projects and laboratory operations, ensuring high standards in system construction, troubleshooting, calibration, testing, maintenance, and operational readiness. It includes leadership of junior technicians, cross-functional coordination, analysis of complex technical data, and recommendations to operations and engineering leadership. The technician operates, installs, integrates, maintains, configures, and troubleshoots laboratory systems and equipment. The role develops and maintains procedures and safety documentation; leads calibration and testing; supports hardware, software, networking, power, and RF systems; and maintains configuration baselines, inventories, records, and discrepancy reports. The position also coordinates with multidisciplinary teams and participates in integration events, readiness reviews, anomaly resolution, technical reviews, and customer or program meetings. Candidates must have an active Secret security clearance at hire and be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance and required program access. U.S. citizenship is required for the security clearance. Essential functions include lifting up to 30 pounds regularly, being on one's feet for much of the shift, handling and assembling small components, occasional exposure to hazardous conditions and loud environments, and travel as required.

Requirements

Associate's degree in a related field and 7 or more years of technician or related experience, or 9 or more years of related experience in lieu of the degree; a higher-level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
Relevant experience may include systems integration, engineering laboratories, test operations, maintenance, field service, aerospace/defense systems, or a related technical field.
Ability to understand and interpret complex technical schematics, diagrams, blueprints, manuals, publications, wiring diagrams, cable drawings, and technical specifications.
Comprehensive working knowledge of standard laboratory test equipment, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, oscilloscopes, other measurement equipment, hand tools, and power tools.
Expertise in advanced system maintenance and troubleshooting across hardware, software, networking, power, RF, and system interfaces.
Working familiarity with Windows and Linux operating systems; Ethernet and IP networking; AC/DC power systems; UPS systems; batteries; grounding and bonding; and RF systems across applicable frequency bands.
Experience with assembly, connectors, crimping, cable installation, equipment configuration, technical procedures, calibration, configuration management, change control, equipment inventories, or controlled technical documentation.
Ability to lead, assign, coordinate, and review work performed by junior technicians.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to analyze technical data and provide clear recommendations.
Ability to work independently and effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Active Secret security clearance at the time of hire and ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI clearance and required program access.
U.S. citizenship is required for the security clearance.
Ability to lift up to 30 pounds regularly, be on one's feet for much of the work shift, and handle and assemble small components.
Ability to travel as required.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with FCC requirements and an FCC General Radio Operator License (GROL).
Basic skills with avionics installation tooling, wiring installation and repair, connectorization, crimping, and soldering techniques.
Previous experience in a manufacturing, aerospace, defense, Department of Defense, U.S. military, or other mission-focused technical environment.
Experience with 3-D CAD software or similar technical design and documentation tools.
Prior experience in a lead role with responsibility to mentor, train, guide, and inspect the work of subordinate technicians.
Master’s degree in a related technical field.
Experience supporting strategic research and development or advanced integration projects.
Experience with calibration databases, asset-management systems, maintenance-management systems, ticketing systems, or configuration-management tools.
Familiarity with cybersecurity practices applicable to operational systems and classified or controlled-access facilities.

Responsibilities

Oversee complex technical projects and daily SIL operations in coordination with the SIL Operations Manager.
Operate, install, integrate, maintain, configure, and troubleshoot complex laboratory systems and equipment.
Assign and coordinate daily work for junior engineering technicians; mentor, train, guide, and inspect their work.
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, maintenance procedures, work instructions, checklists, and safety documentation.
Perform system checkout, equipment configuration, hardware and software updates, and operational readiness activities.
Troubleshoot hardware, software, networking, power, RF, and system-interface issues using a structured, evidence-based approach.
Lead and coordinate calibration and testing; maintain calibration status, records, due dates, traceability, and out-of-tolerance actions.
Use laboratory test and measurement equipment, including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, power meters, and cable testers.
Support AC/DC power distribution, UPS systems, batteries, grounding and bonding, and safe equipment power-up and power-down procedures.
Support RF systems and equipment, including transmitters, receivers, antennas, signal paths, RF distribution, coaxial and waveguide components, and connectors.
Maintain configuration baselines, equipment inventories, serial numbers, software and firmware records, maintenance documentation, and discrepancy reports.
Analyze and interpret complex test and maintenance data and provide technical recommendations to operations and engineering leadership.
Coordinate technical support and troubleshooting with systems, software, mechanical, electrical, cyber, network, and other technical teams.
Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, security, configuration-management, and technical standards.
Participate in integration events, readiness reviews, anomaly resolution, technical reviews, and customer or program meetings.
Recommend improvements to tooling, spares, procedures, maintenance practices, technician training, and system readiness.
Advise the SIL Operations Manager on staffing, tooling, spares, maintenance, safety, and system readiness.