Principal Systems Engineer - SIL

Sierra Nevada Corporation•Dayton, OH

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance), Aviation, and Security (IAS) business area is a leader in ISR and aviation, it is a leading prime manned and unmanned aircraft systems integrator for innovative, high-performance ISR and aviation systems. Its end-to-end Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities encompass design, integration, test, certification, ground/flight training and complete logistics support. IAS tailors solutions to customer cost, performance, and schedule requirements and designs to consistently exceed expectations – with an unrivaled record of on time and on (or under) budget deliveries. SNC has led thoughtful and disruptive change in the aerospace and defense industry for the past 60 years and now, we’re applying this tenacity and expertise to the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) mission. Join the SNC-led SAOC team and be a part of exciting and meaningful work to modernize and deliver the next-generation SAOC aircraft trusted by the President, Secretary of Defense and Chairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to ensure continued critical command, control and communication during national emergencies. If you’re passionate about building the airborne command post of the future, consider SNC for your next mission. Learn more about NC3 and SAOC here. Are you a bold thinker? We dream big at SNC—advocating the exploration of space, keeping service members safe, and creating the systems that keep our world connected and thriving. Join our team! 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.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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.

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