Chief Engineer - International Aircraft Integration

Are you ready to take your career to new heights with a leadership role at the forefront of global security and cutting-edge technology? We are seeking a visionary Chief Engineer to join our International Aircraft Integration team, where you'll lead technical innovation and execution on high-profile programs that make a global impact. Focused on aircraft modification for missions such as maritime patrol, border security, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), this role offers the opportunity to work on complex, multidisciplinary projects with international reach.

As Chief Engineer, you will play a critical role in shaping the long-term technical strategy for our product line while driving successful execution of current programs. You will develop and maintain product line technical baselines to support multiple programs, ensuring consistency, continuity, and configuration control across the portfolio and business unit. You will plan technical investment, staffing, and resource needs with engineering functional management and ensure technology projects align with the overall roadmap. Additional responsibilities include developing budgetary estimates, shaping customer requirements during early pursuit phases, and reviewing and approving proposal technical and cost volumes. As a technical leader, you will provide operational guidance to Project Engineering Managers, participate in program and technical reviews, and guide staff in synthesizing innovative technical solutions.

The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering and full lifecycle management across domains - air, land, sea, space and cyber.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the technical execution of aircraft modification programs, ensuring the successful integration of mission-critical ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems, sensors, and payloads into existing platforms.
• Develop and maintain product line technical baselines to support multiple programs, ensuring consistency, continuity, and configuration control across the portfolio.
• Shape the long-term technical strategy for the product line, aligning technology investments and roadmaps with the Business Unit's strategic objectives.
• Coordinate technical investment needs, staffing forecasts, and resource planning with Engineering functional management to support current and future programs.
• Oversee technology development projects to ensure alignment with program objectives and timely delivery of innovative solutions.
• Develop budgetary estimates and shape customer requirements during early pursuit phases to secure new business opportunities.
• Review and approve proposal technical and cost volumes, ensuring alignment with customer needs and technical feasibility.
• Provide operational guidance to Project Engineering Managers, offering expertise on technical solutions, risk management, and program execution.
• Participate in program and technical reviews, representing the product line to internal stakeholders, customers, and partners as a trusted technical authority.
• Collaborate with international suppliers, vendors, and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with ITAR, airworthiness, and other global requirements.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Bachelor's of Science degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or a related field and typically 14 or more years of relevant technical experience.
• Thorough understanding of all phases of design lifecycle management to include requirements, design, integration, test, and sustainment.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of industry best practices and techniques for program management, science, and engineering programs .
• Possess advanced technical knowledge and experience; working knowledge of industry trends and historical context.
• Proven ability to work with department-level business leaders and to provide leadership within the workplace .
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, including the ability to clearly express technical concepts in verbal and written forms; ability to tailor conversations to adapt to technical vs. non-technical audience.
• Prior experience developing and maintaining product line technical baselines that support multiple programs, ensuring consistency, continuity, and configuration control.
• Experience developing technical proposals and cost volumes.
• Ability to support program and technical reviews, and provide guidance to staff on technical solution synthesis.
• Proven success leading systems integration projects on complex aerospace platforms including commercial derivative aircraft.
• Expertise in applying systems engineering principles, including requirements decomposition, system architecture, and Verification & Validation (V&V).
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence multidisciplinary design and development teams.
• Proficiency in project management, including developing and managing schedules, budgets, risk, and resources.
• Experience leading technical teams, such as an Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Typically 8-10 years of relevant leadership and/or project management experience.
• Master's degree or higher in an Engineering or similar field of study.
• Proven leadership abilities inclusive of successful change management, mentoring, career development, training, succession planning, holding people accountable, and conducting yearly reviews.
• Experience supporting international aerospace programs, including direct involvement with U.S. Export Controls (ITAR/EAR) and foreign certification authorities.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or INCOSE (CSEP/ESEP) certification.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and methodologies.
• Direct experience with the aircraft certification process, such as Supplemental Type Certificates (STC).
• Proven experience and skills in team building, time management, conflict resolution, communication, briefing, presentation, and strategic thinking.
• Possess a strategic mindset, linking technology and business.
• Team oriented with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry, the US Department of Defense (Civilian), NASA/Civil or commercial space and/or US Military, with an understanding of defense, aerospace, intelligence, and adjacent markets.

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.

Estimated Starting Salary Range: $201,369.04 - $276,882.42. Compensation varies depending on a wide array of factors, such as candidates' key skills, relevant work experience, and education/training/certifications. The disclosed range estimate may be adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.

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 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.