Principal Systems Software Engineer

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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 (C4

ISR) 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 Systems Software Engineer who is interested in working on one of the largest and most complex airborne systems ever built? Sierra Nevada Corporation is expanding in the Plano, TX area and building our Systems Engineering capability from the ground up as part of an ambitious program to modernize the U.S. Air Force’s critical airborne command‑and‑control fleet. We need you!

As a Principal Systems Software Engineer with a software background, you will lead the design, development, and implementation of complex software systems. You will work closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure that system architectures meet the highest standards for performance, scalability, and reliability. Your expertise in software engineering and systems integration will be crucial in driving innovative solutions and guiding the technical direction of projects.

At SNC, you’ll work on cutting‑edge defense systems, owning full system lifecycle responsibilities (requirements, modeling, simulation, test, certification, sustainment, retirement) in collaboration with cross‑disciplinary teams (mechanical, structures, electrical, RF). You’ll get to lead trade studies, simplify complexity, track and manage risk, and drive system integration in a fast‑paced environment — not just maintain status quo and generate PowerPoint presentations.

• Strong communication skills with internal and external stakeholders
• Analyzing context of deliverable solutions against constraints and available technology
• Exercising independent judgment on software architecture, methods, and techniques to achieve results
• Lead system architecture and software design

• Bachelor’s of Science degree in System Engineering or related discipline and typically 14 or more years of relevant experience
• Higher education may substitute for relevant experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of 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 Verification and Validation (V&V) principles
• Software Systems Experience
• Working knowledge of Python, C++.
• Modeling and Simulation
• Controls System

• SIL Software Integration
• Advanced
  
  Experience with requirements management and system modelling tools, such as DOORS, Rhapsody, No
  
  Magic, MATLAB
• Experience or certification in INCOSE standards
• Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry
• Experience leading baseline definition and maturation in a…