Sierra Nevada Company, LLC logo

Principal Systems Engineer

Sierra Nevada Company, LLC

Lone Tree, COFull-time$173–238K/yrSeen 2 days agoSeen in employer's feed 2 days ago

Most applications go out cold — see where you stand first. No sign-up to start.

You apply on the employer's site, with no Olive account needed.

Watch jobs like this.

Don't just apply. Show up ready.

Olive works from this exact posting.

At a glance

Compensation
$173–238K/yr
Location
Lone Tree, CO
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
US work authorization required

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Security clearance

Job overview

The Principal Systems Engineer will lead systems engineering work across requirements engineering, integration, verification and validation, and model-based systems engineering. The role guides technical planning, risk management, and system analysis; manages critical project components; and mentors senior engineers. The position is based in the office in Lone Tree, Colorado, and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. security clearance.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Systems Modeling and SimulationSystems Engineering LeadershipEngineering PrinciplesMultidisciplinary TeamworkRequirements ManagementFunctional Requirements AnalysisSystems DesignSystems IntegrationTechnical Risk ManagementVerification and ValidationArtificial IntelligenceMachine LearningCloud ComputingReal-Time Operating SystemsEmbedded SystemsDOORSCameoMATLABMechanical DesignModel-Based Systems EngineeringINCOSE StandardsAerospace and DefenseBaseline DefinitionTrade StudiesTechnical Performance MeasurementProblem-SolvingTeamworkAgile MethodologiesScrum Master

Qualifications

Bachelor's in Systems Engineering or Related14+ Years Systems Engineering ExperienceHigher Degree or Experience EquivalentCSEP CertificationScrum Master CertificationU.S. CitizenshipSecret Security Clearance Eligibility

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Match
Paid Time Off
Tuition Assistance

Full job description

In office

Lone Tree, CO

Full time

R0031284

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 united and sustain our way of living. Join our team! As a Principal Systems Engineer, you will demonstrate mastery in requirements engineering, systems integration, Verification & Validation (V&V), and Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). You will guide strategic system and decision analysis, technical planning, and risk management initiatives. You will manage critical project components, applying extensive expertise in architecture/design development, technical monitoring, and lifecycle management. Your role requires exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills to drive innovation, mentor senior engineers, and achieve strategic objectives.

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:

  • Demonstrate mastery in requirements engineering, systems integration, V&V, and MBSE.

  • Interpret and implement technical interface specifications and standards for component subsystems.

  • Troubleshoot to address hardware/software interface issues and define input/output parameters to ensure system integration.

  • Guide strategic system and decision analysis, technical planning, and risk management initiatives.

  • Manage critical project components and influence project direction.

  • Apply extensive expertise in architecture/design development, technical monitoring, and lifecycle management.

  • Exhibit exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.

  • Mentor senior engineers and drive innovation.

Qualifications You Must Have:

  • 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.

  • Expert proficiency with Systems modeling and simulation tools.

  • 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.

Qualifications We Prefer:

  • 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.

  • 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.

Essential Functions:

  • Ability to work on a computer for extended periods.

  • Hand/finger dexterity for system modeling and documentation.

  • Ability to work in a hybrid environment with occasional travel.

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: $173,260.72 - $238,233.49. 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 (https://www.sncorp.com/careers/total-rewards/) .

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. (https://www.dcsa.mil/Personnel-Vetting/Background-Investigations-for-Applicants/Investigations-Clearance-Process/)

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.

SNC is a trusted global leader in aerospace and national security. Our innovative solutions enable connected protection through command, control and communications systems, as well as ISR, cyber, electromagnetic spectrum management, and other high capabilities for systems across all domains – sea, land, air, space and cyber.

As a longstanding leader in defense technology, SNC is the optimum intersection of commercial, defense and non-traditional contractors. We are one of the only privately owned mid-tier A&D contractors and we pride ourselves on our ability to invest early and often to ensure mission success on or ahead of schedule. It’s part of our mission to always stay one step ahead; working on solutions today to solve the problems of tomorrow.

Founded in 1963, SNC is owned by Chairwoman Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen.

How this job compares

Set against the 11,656 open Systems Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 7, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$173–238K/yr
  • Colorado median$115–178K/yr939 salary ranges
  • US median$116–190K/yr8,675 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $206K, is 39% above the Colorado median midpoint ($149K) — in the top quarter of Systems Engineer salary ranges in Colorado.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 1,085 open Systems Engineer jobs in Colorado and 11,656 across the US. 5% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Colorado
Experience
This posting asks for at least 14 years of experience — more than three in four Systems Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for (median 5 years, across 9,735 postings).
Education
4,448 of the 11,656 open Systems Engineer jobs (38%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 7, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

Prepare for this role

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.