Chief Engineer

Saic; Bedford (IN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead ISR, C3I, and C-UXS programs. The role demands strategic systems engineering leadership across hardware, software, and integration efforts to deliver high-impact, fielded military capabilities.

Ideal candidates will have DoD acquisition experience, CPED architecture knowledge, and an active clearance. This on-site leadership position supports multi-domain operations and innovation within SAIC's government portfolio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of systems engineering experience with at least 5 years in a technical leadership or chief engineer role.
• Extensive experience with C-UXS technologies, ISR, and C3I architectures.
• Active Secret Clearance or ability to obtain and maintain clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and technical leadership for ISR, C3I, and C-UXS programs across multiple platforms.
• Serve as the primary technical authority for ISR sensor systems, C3I architectures, and counter-unmanned systems technologies.
• Oversee design, integration, testing, and validation of multi-domain ISR and C-UXS capabilities.
• Lead cross-functional engineering teams to ensure cohesive execution of program objectives.
• Manage technical risks, reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR), and ensure compliance with DoD standards.

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

DoD acquisition

C-UXS

ISR/C3I systems

CPED architectures

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Description

SAIC is seeking a highly skilled and experiencedChief Engineer for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I), and Counter-Unmanned Systems (C-UXS)to lead the technical development, integration, and operational deployment of advanced multi-domain capabilities. The Chief Engineer will serve as the primary technical authority for a portfolio of ISR, C3I, and C-UXS programs, providing visionary leadership across the full system lifecycle from concept development through fielding and sustainment. This role requires a strategic thinker with extensive expertise in systems engineering, program management, and technology innovation to ensure the delivery of high-quality, operationally effective solutions that address the full spectrum of unmanned and asymmetric threats while enhancing command, control, and intelligence capabilities for our government and defense customers.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and technical leadership for the development, integration, and deployment of ISR, C3I, and C-UXS systems across multiple programs and platforms
• Serve as the primary technical authority for all engineering activities related to ISR sensor systems, C3I architectures, and counter-unmanned aircraft, ground, and surface vehicle (C-UAS, C-UGV, C-USV) technologies
• Oversee the design, integration, testing, and validation of multi-domain ISR collection capabilities, C3I communication and data link architectures, and C-UXS detection, tracking, identification, and defeat systems
• Lead cross-functional engineering teams across hardware, software, systems, and integration disciplines to ensure cohesive and efficient execution of ISR, C3I, and C-UXS program objectives
• Provide technical oversight of system architecture decisions, trade studies, and engineering design reviews including System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), and Critical Design Reviews (CDR)
• Ensure technical solutions align with government customer requirements, operational concepts, and mission needs across ISR, C3I, and C-UXS domains

Program & Project Management

• Manage multiple concurrent ISR, C3I, and C-UXS projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget
• Develop and maintain comprehensive program plans, integrated master schedules (IMS), work breakdown structures (WBS), and budgets across the C-UXS and ISR portfolio
• Communicate program status, technical risks, and mitigation strategies to senior SAIC leadership, government program offices, and key stakeholders
• Identify and manage technical risks associated with ISR sensor integration, C3I interoperability, and C-UXS defeat mechanism effectiveness
• Support proposal development, cost estimation, and technical volume preparation for new ISR, C3I, and C-UXS business opportunities

Systems Engineering

• Ensure that all ISR, C3I, and C-UXS systems meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, interoperability, and safety in accordance with government requirements and applicable standards
• Lead the development and implementation of systems engineering processes and best practices consistent with DoD acquisition frameworks and applicable standards including MIL-STD, IEEE, and EIA-632
• Oversee the creation and management of comprehensive technical documentation including system requirements specifications, interface control documents (ICDs), design specifications, test and evaluation plans, and system safety analyses
• Ensure ISR systems deliver required collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination (CPED) capabilities across multi-domain environments
• Ensure C3I architectures support seamless command and control, secure communications, and real-time intelligence fusion across joint and coalition networks
• Ensure C-UXS systems provide integrated and layered detection, tracking, identification, and kinetic or non-kinetic defeat capabilities against the full spectrum of unmanned threats including UAS, UGV, and USV

Innovation & Research and Development

• Drive innovation in ISR, C3I, and C-UXS technologies through targeted research and development initiatives aligned with emerging threat environments and government capability gaps
• Stay current with the latest advancements in unmanned systems, counter-unmanned technologies, ISR sensor modalities, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) applications, and C3I communication architectures
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies with potential application to ISR collection enhancement, C3I network modernization, and C-UXS defeat effectiveness
• Foster a culture of innovation, intellectual curiosity, and continuous improvement within the ISR, C3I, and C-UXS engineering teams
• Lead and support independent research and development (IR&D) activities to advance SAIC's technical capabilities in the ISR, C3I, and C-UXS domains
• Engage with academic institutions, industry partners, and government research organizations to identify collaborative opportunities and technology transition pathways

Collaboration & Stakeholder Communication

• Serve as the primary contractor technical point of contact for all ISR, C3I, and C-UXS programs, interfacing directly with government program offices, test agencies, and operational end users
• Collaborate with government agencies, combatant commands, and defense customers to understand evolving ISR collection requirements, C3I interoperability needs, and C-UXS operational challenges
• Facilitate effective communication and technical collaboration among engineering teams, program managers, contracts personnel, and other internal and external stakeholders
• Represent SAIC at government program reviews, technical interchange meetings (TIMs), industry conferences, and working groups focused on ISR, C3I, and C-UXS capabilities
• Coordinate with government test and evaluation organizations to support developmental and operational testing of ISR, C3I, and C-UXS systems
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government customers, subcontractors, and technology partners across the ISR, C3I, and C-UXS ecosystem

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements and Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field; advanced degree strongly preferred
• Minimum of10 yearsof experience in systems engineering, with at least5 yearsin a technical leadership or chief engineer role
• Extensive hands-on experience with C-UXS technologies, including multi-sensor detection, tracking, identification, and kinetic and non-kinetic defeat of unmanned aerial, ground, and surface systems
• Demonstrated experience with ISR systems, including sensor integration, multi-INT data fusion, and CPED architectures across airborne, ground, and maritime platforms
• Proven knowledge of C3I architectures, including secure communications, data links, network-centric operations, and intelligence fusion systems
• Proven track record of managing complex, multi-disciplinary engineering programs from concept development through operational deployment
• Strong understanding of DoD systems engineering principles, acquisition processes, and applicable technical standards
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills with demonstrated ability to interface effectively with senior government officials
• Ability to think strategically, drive technical innovation, and translate operational requirements into engineering solutions
  Proficiency in program management tools, techniques, and integrated master scheduling
• Active Secret Clearance or ability to obtain and maintain required clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Extensive experience working directly with DoD, intelligence community, or other government and defense agencies on ISR, C3I, or C-UXS programs
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements, standards, and policies governing unmanned systems, counter-unmanned systems, and ISR operations including applicable FAA, DoD, and NATO frameworks
• Familiarity with AI/ML applications for autonomous threat detection, ISR data exploitation, and C-UXS decision support
• Experience with electronic warfare (EW) techniques and technologies as applied to C-UXS defeat mechanisms
• Knowledge of RF spectrum management, signal intelligence (SIGINT), and electronic intelligence (ELINT) systems relevant to ISR and C-UXS operations
• Experience with Agile, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), or DevSecOps development methodologies applied to defense systems
• Certification in Project Management (PMP) or Systems Engineering (INCOSE CSEP/ESEP) or equivalent
• Familiarity with DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF) and its application to C3I and ISR system design
• Experience supporting test and evaluation activities including developmental test (DT) and operational test (OT) for ISR, C3I, or C-UXS systems