Sr Mechanical Engineer - Discipline Lead

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 .

We are seeking a program dedicated Mechanical Discipline Lead to oversee and drive excellence across the SAOC program and its IPTs. This role is pivotal in ensuring technical leadership, process optimization, and tool implementation on the SAOC program while aligning with SNC and industry standards. You will be responsible for defining workflows, managing tools, mentoring team members, and fostering collaboration across IPTs to deliver high-quality solutions. If you are passionate about streamlining processes, empowering engineers, and driving innovation, we encourage you to apply!

The SAOC Mechanical Discipline Lead will play a critical role in developing and maintaining the technical baseline for engineering, improving efficiency, and ensuring alignment with SNC best practices and program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Process & Tool Development and Management
  
  • Act as the SAOC program primary point-of-contact for tool and process-related inquiries, providing guidance as needed.
  • Establish, document, and maintain engineering processes on the SAOC program, including:
    
    • Template creation and management.
    • Standards for drawings, modeling, and documentation.
    • Workflow optimization for the Mechanical Discipline
  • Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for discipline-specific workflows, tools, and processes, incorporating feedback from IPTs.
  • Ensure tools, workflows, and processes are aligned with SNC and industry best practices while tailoring to meet SAOC specific requirements.
  • Lead the implementation of current and future tools, leveraging Model-Based Definition (MBD) and digital engineering methodologies.
  • Monitor the effectiveness of tools and processes, making adjustments as necessary to improve program efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Document and communicate process improvements to relevant stakeholders, providing training to ensure smooth adoption and consistent application.
• Technical Leadership
  
  • Oversee system-level interface definitions and resolve cross-disciplinary integration conflicts.
  • Support trade studies and optimizations to align with program requirements and objectives.
  • Facilitate integration activities to ensure alignment with SAOC IPTs and Subsystem requirements.
  • Conduct regular meetings with SAOC IPTs to drive collaboration and ensure alignment on priorities and objectives.
  • Mentor engineers to improve technical capabilities and ensure adherence to established processes and standards.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Bachelor's of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or other related discipline and typically 10 or more years of relevant experience
• Higher education may substitute for relevant experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering principles and practices
• Proficient using CAD tools (ie: CATIA) and familiar with SysML (ie: CAMEO)
• Progressive experience working in multi-disciplinary design and development teams
• Strong background in process improvement and tool development
• Knowledge of industry standard design principles and lifecycles (ie: concept to production)
• Experience producing program deliverables (ie: wire diagrams, part/assembly/installation drawings, analysis, and reports)
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience leading teams of engineers across multiple disciplines
• Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry with knowledge of military and civil certification regulations
• Familiarity with workflows such as aircraft modification, system integration, and hardware troubleshooting
• Experience developing and verifying engineering tools and methods
• Experience with Model-Based Engineering (MBE) and Design (MBD) principles
• Understanding of advanced simulation techniques, including FEA, CFD, and thermal analysis
• Expertise in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5
  
  At Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) we deliver customer-focused technology and best-of-breed integrations in the aerospace and defense sectors. SNC has been honored as one of the most innovative U.S. companies in space, a Tier One Superior Supplier for the U.S. Air Force, and as one of America's fastest-growing companies. Learn more about SNC

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.

SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We're known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation's most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state-of-the-art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team!

SNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment free of discrimination. Employment decisions are made based on merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.