Aerospace Engineer II (Certification) at Sierra Nevada Corporation

Job description

SNC is redefining the future of airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (A-ISR) and RAPCON-X™ is at the center of that transformation. RAPCON-X has already demonstrated itself as a disruptive, next-generation ISR platform, delivering unmatched flexibility, performance, and survivability in near-peer environments. Its digitally born architecture, MBSE-driven design, and modular, sensor-agnostic approach create a platform capable of rapid evolution and mission-specific configuration without aircraft redesign. As an Aerospace Certification Engineer, you will play a critical role in transitioning RAPCON-X and future A-ISR platforms from cutting-edge prototypes into mission-ready operational capabilities. You will lead and support aircraft certification, airworthiness compliance, flight-test approvals, engineering authorization activities, and regulatory engagement efforts across highly integrated aircraft systems, mission equipment, and ISR payloads. Working directly with multidisciplinary engineering teams, flight-test organizations, military airworthiness authorities, and certification stakeholders, you will help ensure these advanced airborne platforms safely and efficiently achieve approval for real-world operations. Built on a modern commercial-derivative aircraft and engineered for global operations, RAPCON-X offers exceptional range, endurance, reliability, and readiness for Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) to bolster survivability in complex, peer-to-peer threat environments. As SNC expands its portfolio of advanced A-ISR solutions, certification and airworthiness professionals play a vital role in enabling these platforms to move from innovation to operational deployment. In this role, you won't just support certification activities. You'll help enable the future of A-ISR by ensuring groundbreaking airborne capabilities achieve the safety, compliance, and operational approvals required to support critical missions around the world. This position is ideal for engineers who are passionate about aircraft certification, airworthiness, flight test, and aerospace innovation, and who want to make a direct impact on programs that deliver strategic advantages to U.S. and allied customers. To learn more about RAPCON-X, visit: sncorp.com 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: Write certification planning documents. Coordinate with program management, engineering, and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Write compliance documentation. Identify certification problems and propose solutions. Qualifications You Must Have: Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field. 2 years of relevant experience. Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience. Basic knowledge of engineering principles and practices. Familiarity with Computer Aided Engineering tools such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. Experience working in multi-disciplinary design and development teams. Basic awareness of the certification planning process (i.e. developing certification plans, the establishment of certification basis, proposing Methods of Compliance, proposing compliance artifacts). Background in the Aerospace and/or Defense Industry. Ability to obtain and maintain United States Secret security clearance Qualifications We Prefer: Background in Project Management. Comfortable reviewing information from various engineering disciplines outside of your specialty. Prior experience with FAA Certification Standards (14 CFR Part 23, 25, 27, 29) and/or Military certification (MIL-HDBK-516) programs. Experience coordinating certification approvals with the FAA Aircraft Certification Office, ODA s, Delegated Engineering Representatives (DER s)/Unit Members or other certifying authorities. Experience with reading, reviewing and interpreting technical documentation for accuracy and compliance with applicable regulations. Familiarity with aircraft flight test. Essential Functions: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods. Ability to travel up to 10%. Work in an office or hybrid environment. May require lifting up to 25 lbs occasionally. 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: $90,056.71 - $123,827.97. 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 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.

Requirements

Must-haves

Write certification planning documents.
Coordinate with program management, engineering, and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
Write compliance documentation.
Identify certification problems and propose solutions.
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
2 years of relevant experience.
Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
Basic knowledge of engineering principles and practices.
Familiarity with Computer Aided Engineering tools such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations.
Experience working in multi-disciplinary design and development teams.
Basic awareness of the certification planning process (i.e. developing certification plans, the establishment of certification basis, proposing Methods of Compliance, proposing compliance artifacts).
Background in the Aerospace and/or Defense Industry.
Ability to obtain and maintain United States Secret security clearance
Background in Project Management.
Comfortable reviewing information from various engineering disciplines outside of your specialty.
Prior experience with FAA Certification Standards (14 CFR Part 23, 25, 27, 29) and/or Military certification (MIL-HDBK-516) programs.
Experience coordinating certification approvals with the FAA Aircraft Certification Office, ODA s, Delegated Engineering Representatives (DER s)/Unit Members or other certifying authorities.
Experience with reading, reviewing and interpreting technical documentation for accuracy and compliance with applicable regulations.
Familiarity with aircraft flight test.
Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
Ability to travel up to 10%.
Work in an office or hybrid environment.
May require lifting up to 25 lbs occasionally.
This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs.

Nice-to-haves

None flagged.

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Platform: workday
Effort: long

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

401(K)

Paid Time Off