Chief Engineer - Sustainment & Production Programs

The ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance), Aviation, and Security (IAS) business area is a leader in ISR and aviation. As a prime integrator of manned and unmanned aircraft systems, IAS delivers innovative, high-performance ISR and aviation solutions. Our end-to-end Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities span design, integration, testing, certification, training, and logistics support. We tailor solutions to customer cost, performance, and schedule requirements with an unrivaled record of on-time and on-budget deliveries. Learn more at https://www.sncorp.com/company/business-areas/.

We are creating a new Chief Engineer position to support the growth of our business and expanding product lines. This role focuses on sustainment engineering, production oversight, and cross-functional coordination. It is a unique opportunity for an experienced professional to contribute to existing and new engineering efforts while supporting production programs. The role requires strong leadership, technical expertise, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

This position will also work closely with a partner Chief Engineer for the sister product line, collaborating to develop the strategic roadmap for a family of systems and products. Together, you will define the technical vision, develop architectures, and advance capabilities in areas such as software, sensing, and UAS defeat systems. This cross-product line partnership will ensure alignment of engineering efforts, foster innovation, and deliver cohesive solutions to meet customer needs.

Why This Role is Unique

This is more than a typical Chief Engineer role. The position combines technical oversight, sustainment engineering, production management responsibilities, and strategic planning to meet the demands of our growing business and expanding product lines. Additionally, you will play a key role in shaping the strategic roadmap for a family of systems and products by collaborating with a partner Chief Engineer. Together, you will drive innovation and deliver integrated solutions in critical domains such as software, sensing, and UAS defeat systems.

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.

Responsibilities:

1. Sustainment Engineering
Support and sustain systems already fielded, ensuring continued performance and reliability.
Develop and lead new initiatives for existing products, including reverse engineering and upgrades.
Manage sustainment of products without OEM Engineering Data Packages (EDPs), creating innovative solutions to meet customer requirements.
Conduct Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) analysis to identify, resolve, and prevent design-related issues, ensuring robust and reliable engineering solutions.
2. Design & Manufacturing Support
Provide expertise in design for manufacturing, reliability, cost, certification, supply chain, and assembly to ensure stakeholder involvement and increase design quality.
Conduct cost-benefit analyses and implement approaches to reduce serial production costs.
Oversee and support production programs, ensuring seamless collaboration with operations and manufacturing teams.
Provide technical oversight for specific designs, such as electronic warfare (EW) trailers and other mission-critical systems.
3. Strategic Roadmap Development
Collaborate with the partner Chief Engineer for the sister product line to define and execute the strategic roadmap for a family of systems and products.
Develop and refine technical roadmaps and architectures for emerging capabilities in software, sensing, and UAS defeat domains, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and market trends.
Foster innovation and consistency across product lines by leveraging shared technologies and best practices.
Work jointly to identify opportunities for collaboration, IRAD investments, and future product development.
4. Project & Staff Management
Develop engineering staffing plans and manage coordination across multiple business units.
Act as a liaison between engineering, production, and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment across teams.
Oversee vendor and technical subcontractor activities to ensure quality, schedule, and cost objectives are met.
Support engineering efforts during Requests for Proposals (RFPs), including preparing, reviewing, and approving complex EBOMs, creating comprehensive WBSs, and generating budgetary estimates such as Basis of Estimates (BOEs) and Rough Order of Magnitudes (ROMs).
Build strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
5. Process Improvement & Technical Expertise
Implement configuration control board processes and procedures, including product configuration management and configuration control plans, to address issues such as fielding product upgrades and obsolescence.
Enhance and maintain software and hardware configuration management processes for improved product control and traceability.
Apply Earned Value Management (EVM) principles to track project performance and cost-effectiveness.
Leverage Internal Research and Development (IRAD) projects to drive innovation and meet program objectives.
Champion process improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and collaboration across teams.
6. Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, effectively communicating technical information and addressing concerns to ensure satisfaction and alignment with project goals.
Articulate a compelling, inspired, and clear vision, and communicate this vision with a sense of purpose about the future.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Bachelor's of Science degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Typically 14 or more years of experience in program management, defense mission systems, aerospace & defense, or engineering programs.
• Demonstrated expertise across multiple engineering disciplines, with the ability to direct activities in mechanical, electrical, structural, systems, and software engineering.
• Proficient leadership abilities, including successful change management, mentoring, career development, training, succession planning, holding people accountable, and conducting yearly reviews.
• Proven ability to manage the cost, schedule, and technical performance of multiple programs, from inception to completion.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required.
• 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 audiences.
• 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.

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
• Proven experience and skills in team building, time management, conflict resolution, communication, briefing, presentation, and strategic thinking.
• Previous management experience; ability to recruit employees; assign, direct, and evaluate their work; and oversee staffing development and maintenance .
• Demonstrated passion for ideation and innovation, as well as motivating others to act by creating a shared sense of vision or purpose.
• Ground-based systems experience (preferred over air systems) 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.
• Proven experience with production builds and close collaboration with operations teams.
• Strong knowledge of vendor and subcontractor oversight, ensuring project success through effective partnerships.
• Hands-on involvement in production, with experience working on the production floor and addressing real-world challenges.
• Familiarity with reverse engineering processes and sustaining products that lack original baseline designs.
• Demonstrated expertise in RCCA analysis to resolve and prevent design-related issues.
• Ability to develop detailed engineering staffing plans and timelines to meet program goals.
• Proficiency in Earned Value Management (EVM) methodologies for tracking and managing project performance.
• Expertise in software and hardware configuration control and management processes to ensure product integrity.

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: $221,505.94 - $304,570.67. 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.