AI Acquisition System Engineer

Saic; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking an AI Acquisition System Engineer to support the NRO in Chantilly, VA. The role centers on lifecycle acquisition support, program management, and strategic guidance across acquisition phases.

Ideal candidates will have TS/SCI with polygraph, experience with IDIQ/BAA/OT/CSO vehicles, and strong collaboration across engineering teams and stakeholders in a fast-paced, high-tempo environment. The position requires detailed analytics, market research, and documentation to support

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph.
• 2+ years of government program management / contracting / acquisition experience.
• Knowledge, or interest in AI (Artificial Intelligence).
• Experience with the IC acquisition cycle.
• Experience with non-traditional/non-FAR acquisition vehicles a plus (IDIQ, BAA, OT, CSO, etc.).
• Program Management or Project Management experience or knowledge.
• Experience monitoring developer progress via agile metrics; identifying risks, discrepancies, and performance issues.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and cross-functional team environment.
• Strong oral and written communications ability on significant technical matters often requiring coordination within a high-tempo environment.
• Good working knowledge of MS Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Support Program Manager(s), Contracting Officer's Technical Representative(s), and Contracting Officer(s) throughout the acquisition lifecycle, including planning, coordination, and execution, while developing and refining project plans, schedules, and milestones in alignment with program objectives.
• Coordinate and facilitate meetings between engineering teams, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure clear communication and task alignment.
• Monitor project timelines and deliverables, alerting leadership to potential risks or deviations from the project plan and liaise with various teams and departments to ensure the availability of necessary resources (e.g., computing resources, tools, and data).
• Track resource allocation and utilization to optimize project efficiency and avoid resource bottlenecks.
• Develop and maintain project documentation, including status reports, deliverable tracking, and project dashboards, and regularly report project progress to senior management and stakeholders, highlighting key achievements, risks, and next steps.
• Support new acquisition planning, solicitation, evaluation, award, and execution for Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Task Orders (TOs) and Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), as well as potential alternate contracting approaches such as Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) and Commercial Solutions Opening (CSOs).
• Conduct market research, technical evaluations, and assist with acquisition strategies and plans, drafting key acquisition documents (e.g., SOWs, Acquisition Strategies, RFPs/RFIs), developing Contractor Bidders' Library, and supporting source selection processes.
• Provide strategic programmatic analysis and recommendations throughout the acquisition cycle, assist in performance management, contract administration, and risk assessment, and monitor and analyze contract requirements, performance metrics, budgets, and schedules.
• Recommend improvements for acquisition planning and management processes, provide administrative support for award fee activities and contract oversight, and participate in identifying and coordinating actions across the team.

Job description

Description

SAIC is seeking a AI Acquisition System Engineer to support the NRO in Chantilly, VA.

With a background in acquisition system engineering, project management and a keen interest in AI, the AI Acquisition System Engineer will be part of a team dedicated to providing comprehensive lifecycle acquisition support and technical guidance to the NRO's Ground Enterprise Directorate. They will have demonstrated experience in acquisition and project management, coupled with the ability to offer strategic insights across all phases of the acquisition process, from pre-acquisition through program execution and performance management.

Responsibilities to include:

• Support Program Manager(s), Contracting Officer's Technical Representative(s), and Contracting Officer(s) throughout the acquisition lifecycle, including planning, coordination, and execution, while developing and refining project plans, schedules, and milestones in alignment with program objectives.
• Coordinate and facilitate meetings between engineering teams, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure clear communication and task alignment.
• Monitor project timelines and deliverables, alerting leadership to potential risks or deviations from the project plan and liaise with various teams and departments to ensure the availability of necessary resources (e.g., computing resources, tools, and data).
• Track resource allocation and utilization to optimize project efficiency and avoid resource bottlenecks.
• Develop and maintain project documentation, including status reports, deliverable tracking, and project dashboards, and regularly report project progress to senior management and stakeholders, highlighting key achievements, risks, and next steps.
• Support new acquisition planning, solicitation, evaluation, award, and execution for Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Task Orders (TOs) and Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), as well as potential alternate contracting approaches such as Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) and Commercial Solutions Opening (CSOs).
• Conduct market research, technical evaluations, and assist with acquisition strategies and plans, drafting key acquisition documents (e.g., SOWs, Acquisition Strategies, RFPs/RFIs), developing Contractor Bidders' Library, and supporting source selection processes.
• Provide strategic programmatic analysis and recommendations throughout the acquisition cycle, assist in performance management, contract administration, and risk assessment, and monitor and analyze contract requirements, performance metrics, budgets, and schedules.
• Recommend improvements for acquisition planning and management processes, provide administrative support for award fee activities and contract oversight, and participate in identifying and coordinating actions across the team.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelors and fourteen (14) years or more experience; Masters and twelve (12) years or more experience; PhD or JD and nine (9) years or more experience.
• Active Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph.
• 2+ years of government program management / contracting / acquisitionexperience.
• Knowledge, or interest in AI (Artificial Intelligence).
• Experience with the IC acquisition cycle.
• Experience with non-traditional/non-FAR acquisition vehicles a plus (IDIQ, BAA, OT, CSO, etc.)
• Program Management or Project Management experience or knowledge.
• Experience monitoring developer progress via agile metrics; identifying risks, discrepancies, and performance issues.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and cross-functional team environment.
• Strong oral and written communications ability on significant technical matters often requiring coordination within a high-tempo environment.
• Good working knowledge of MS Office applications.

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.