Senior Principal Project Engineer

  • Saab
  • Syracuse, New York
  • Full Time

Saab Inc., Land Systems division is seeking an experienced, dynamic, results-oriented Senior Principal Project Engineer with experience in weapon systems development, to lead engineering activities and to serve as the primary liaison between Saab, government agencies and industry partners. Besides extensive, multi-discipline weapon system engineering knowledge and experience, this position will require the ability to operate in multi-company, multi-layered, multi-cultural, rapidly paced environment. The Senior Principal Project Engineer will actively interact with the customers, partners, suppliers, as well as the internal company, division and program leadership, engineering, test, quality, supply chain, reliability, finance, and manufacturing teams. Travel is required, both domestic and international. The position is a remote home office in New Jersey with travel.

Responsibilities include:

  • Shape companys and divisions strategic technical and business path to success by applying best engineering and business practices, understanding of US Government needs, incorporating technology trends to the product development, maturation, sustainment, and driving future developments.

  • Utilize first-hand knowledge of USG Department of Defense and foreign military operations, serve as the primary interface between Saab and USG agencies, with respect to collaborative development and execution efforts, funding sources, requirements shaping, customer influencing. and other Front-End-of-the-Business activities.

  • Work closely with Marketing, Sales, Business Development and Technical Director teams to define product development strategies, business capture, technology investments, and requirements shaping.

  • Drive planning and execution of engineering efforts, in all phases of the product life cycle, in terms of scope, cost, and schedule. Oversee and drive development of schedules, manpower staffing plans, resources requirements and loading, financial metrices, and other engineering project artifacts.

  • Identify gaps and opportunities in product capabilities, processes, production, employment, and sustainment and provide solutions to reduce associated risks, including verification and test strategies.

  • Participate in the change control board meetings, failure investigations, product management, technical, production, risk management and performance reviews. Drive adoption of core technologies, including transfer of technology and integration of mature systems and commercial-oof-the-shelf products to achieve novel technical solutions.

  • Generate winning innovative research proposal strategies, for both technical content and business execution.

  • Provide mentoring and broad technical guidance to team members and be viewed as an expert in the field of weapon systems.

Compensation Range: $184,400-$248,900

The compensation range provided is a general guideline. When extending an offer, Saab, Inc. considers factors including (but not limited to) the role and associated responsibilities, location, and market and business considerations, as well as the candidate's work experience, key skills, and education/training.

Skills and Experience:

Required Experience and Skills:

  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering with 20+ years of relevant experience, or similar combination of experience and advanced degrees and certifications.

  • First-hand experience in weapon systems (missiles, munitions, platforms in land, sea, and air domains), through full acquisition cycle, including concepts of operation, architecture, design, manufacturing, integration, test, safety, qualifications, production, logistics, and sustainment.

  • In-depth understanding of the US Army and other USG defense agencies organizations and ability to navigate within the DoD system to provide crucial technical support to marketing, sales and business development at the FEOTB.

  • Experience with DoD Research, Development, Test and Evaluation principles and ability to motivate, drive and support cooperative development efforts between USG and industry.

  • First-hand experience working with foreign government defense agencies and contractors.

  • Effective communication with leadership, program management, subordinates, and peers, both domestically and internationally, ability to operate in highly demanding multi-cultural, rapidly growing company environment.

  • Existing DoD Secret Security clearance is required for consideration.

  • Domestic and international travel is required, at least 30%.

Desired Experience and Skills:

  • First-hand experience with ground forces (U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corp., etc.) shoulder-fired weapon systems and operations, including requirements generation, flow down, and winning proposal processes.

  • First-hand experience with energetic systems, including safety systems, propulsion and target defeat, including compliance, safety board approval processes, safety qualification cycles and other relevant efforts.

Citizenship Requirements:

Must be a U.S. citizen. Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Drug-Free Workplaces:

Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for sustaining drug-free workplaces. As a condition of employment, candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Benefits:

Saab provides an excellent working environment offering professional growth opportunities, competitive wages, work-life balance, business-casual atmosphere and comprehensive benefits:

  • Medical, vision and dental insurance for employees and dependents

  • Paid time off including: minimum of 3 weeks vacation, 5 floating holidays, 8 designated holidays, parental leave, personal illness, bereavement, jury duty, long-term and short-term disability

  • 401(k) with immediate vesting on employer match

  • Tuition assistance

  • Student loan assistance

  • Wellness account, Care.com subscription and employee assistance programs

  • Employee stock purchase program with employer match

About Us:

Saab is a leading defense and security company with an enduring mission, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 19,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer, more sustainable and more equitable world. In the U.S., Saab delivers advanced technology and systems, supporting the U.S. Armed Forces and the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as international and commercial partners. Headquartered in Syracuse, New York, the company has business units and local employees in eight U.S. locations.

Saab is a company where we see diversity as an asset and offer unlimited opportunities for advancing in your career. We are also a company that respects each persons needs and encourage employees to lead a balanced, rewarding life beyond work. Saab values diversity and is an Affirmative Action employer for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Saab is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, all qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran, disability status, or any other federal, state, or locally protected category.

Job ID: 488703336
Originally Posted on: 8/8/2025

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