Principal Project Engineer

Sierra Space•Louisville, KY

About The Position

The Principal Project Engineer role at Sierra Space involves leading and executing large-scale technical projects, ensuring the successful integration of engineering solutions, and driving innovation within the team. This position requires a strong technical foundation, extensive engineering expertise, and demonstrated leadership capabilities. The role includes overseeing the design, development, and implementation of engineering projects, managing key programmatic functions, and ensuring projects meet technical specifications and quality standards as well as cost & schedule constraints. This role serves as a bridge between the Engineering and Program Office on a given project. The Principal Project Engineer will lead large cross-functional teams, such as Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), key business development projects or proposals, small programs, or medium-to-large Independent Research and Development (IRAD) projects. They will also play a key role in developing Proposals, Contracts, and Basis of Estimates by identifying and estimating scope, cost, and schedule. A critical responsibility is ensuring projects meet technical specifications and quality standards, conducting high-impact trade studies, and leading technical evaluations. The role also involves providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, managing high-impact suppliers, and supporting Program Managers by leading key programmatic functions. The engineer will interface directly with key customers and Program Managers, provide status updates to senior leadership, develop metrics, and manage critical program issues. Effective communication and coordination across teams are essential, as is driving innovation and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Requires bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or master's +10 yrs experience)
Typically, 12+ years of related experience
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
Prior experience with a significant focus on project management and leadership
Strong technical, leadership, and programmatic foundation with a deep understanding of how projects/programs are run
Ability to lead large cross-functional teams to accomplish high-impact projects
Deep technical expertise and experience in the relevant engineering discipline
Proven leadership skills, including the ability to oversee the technical execution of projects throughout their lifecycle
Strong project management skills, including the ability to ensure projects are completed within budget and scheduling constraints
Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills
Advanced knowledge of project management techniques and processes, including EVMS, CAM, or equivalent
Advanced knowledge of implementation and execution of effective risk and opportunity management
Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with technical and specialty subject matter experts of varying functional disciplines to drive project outcomes
Competent in project management and advisory methodologies
Clear verbal and written communication of technical concepts, plans, and actions
The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance is required

Nice To Haves

Experience with systems engineering and integration
Proficiency in project management software and tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera)
Experience with CAD software and engineering design tools
Knowledge of industry standards and regulations
Experience in product lifecycle management (PLM)
Familiarity with Agile and Lean methodologies
Strong analytical and decision-making skills
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Experience in developing and managing project budgets
Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement initiatives

Responsibilities

Leading and executing large-scale technical projects
Ensuring the successful integration of engineering solutions
Driving innovation within the team
Overseeing the design, development, and implementation of engineering projects
Managing key programmatic functions
Ensuring projects meet technical specifications and quality standards as well as cost & schedule constraints
Serving as a bridge between the Engineering and Program Office on a given project
Lead large cross-functional teams to accomplish high-impact projects, such as Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), key business development projects or proposals, small programs, or medium-to-large Independent Research and Development (IRAD) projects
Oversee the design, development, and implementation of engineering projects
Play a key role in the development of Proposals, Contracts, and Basis of Estimates by identifying and estimating scope, cost, and schedule
Ensuring that projects meet technical specifications and quality standards
Conducting high-impact trade studies and leading technical evaluations
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers
Manage high-impact suppliers by developing and negotiating scope, creating and managing statements of work and contracts, addressing supplier issues, and monitoring their cost and schedule performance
Support Program Managers by leading key programmatic functions, including program standup, cost/schedule performance, major programmatic execution functions, and program control and governance
Interfacing directly with key customers and Program Managers
Provide status updates and key insights on project progress to senior leadership
Develop metrics and performance baselines
Manage return-to-green paths for critical program issues
Communicate and coordinate effectively across engineering and functional teams
Providing clear verbal and written communication of technical concepts, plans, and actions
Drive innovation and continuous improvement within the engineering team
Serve as a bridge between Engineering and Program offices, acting as a leading voice on behalf of all stakeholders, including support functions and customers, to resolve conflicts and ensure project success