Command and Control Ground Analyst

Saic; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a seasoned Command and Control Ground Analyst to design, develop, and maintain ground segment infrastructure for national security satellite missions in El Segundo, CA.

The role bridges spacecraft flight systems and ground control, enabling autonomous operations, reliable data dissemination, and operator-friendly interfaces for complex SDA constellation operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM field with 10+ years in space systems engineering, focusing on ground segments and satellite operations.
• Knowledge of security clearance suitability and SCI eligibility per job requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist government mission manager with engineering, integration, and validation of satellite ground segment C2 systems.
• Support real-time satellite vehicle operations including LEOP, routine operations, and anomaly resolution.
• Liaise between spacecraft development and ground operations teams.
• Oversee automation framework design to reduce operator workload and improve reliability.
• Provide design review recommendations and contractor documentation for ground infrastructure.
• Architect lights-out operations for multi-satellite constellations.
• Apply HFE principles to ground control center layouts, UIs, and operator workflows.
• Implement end-to-end data pipelines for spacecraft payload and telemetry data.
• Prepare technical assessments and presentations for senior leadership reviews.
• Generate mission status reports for staff meetings and space situational awareness programs.
• Review and evaluate key mission contractual documentation for sustainment contracts.

Skills

Autonomous scripting

Python

C++

bash

CCSDS standards

Networking

Ground station operations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Systems/CS or related STEM

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

Job description

Description

SAIC is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Command and Control Ground Analyst to provide critical technical expertise to Government ground mission managers. In this pivotal role, you will support all phases of planning, development, and execution for national security satellite operation and the advanced constellation of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) satellites dedicated to the space-based surveillance and reconnaissance mission.
You will design, develop, and maintain our state-of-the-art ground segment infrastructure. This critical role bridges the gap between spacecraft flight systems and ground control, ensuring seamless command, control, and data dissemination for next-generation satellite missions.

As our ideal candidate you will bring a robust background in ground station architecture combined with practical, hands‑on experience in flight operations and satellite vehicle operations. You will champion the integration of autonomous operations, optimize data dissemination architectures, and apply human factors engineering principles to create intuitive, resilient, and highly efficient operator interfaces. You will assist in the integration of autonomous operations, and overseeing multiple ground development activities for optical systems and satellite communications alongside the government customer working with them in our El Segundo, CA office.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist govt mission manager with the engineering, integration, and validation of satellite ground segment command and control (C2) systems.
• Support the government mission manager with the contractor development of real‑time satellite vehicle operations, including launch and early orbit phases (LEOP), routine operations, and anomaly resolution.
• Assist mission manager with liaison between the spacecraft development team and the ground operations crew.
• Oversee the design and implementation of automation frameworks for ground system operations to reduce operator workload and maximize system reliability.
• Provide recommendation of critical design reviews and contractor developed documentation in support of ground infrastructure.
• Assist mission manager in architecting lights‑out operational capabilities for multi‑satellite constellations.
• Apply HFE principles for the mission manager of the contractor design of ground control center layouts, software user interfaces (UIs), and operator workflows.
• Assist the mission manager with the implementation of end‑to‑end data pipelines for spacecraft payload and telemetry data. This may include providing feedback and technical support for Government Furnished Equipment and systems and contractor developed ground architecture.
• Develop and reviews technical assessments and presentations for senior leadership reviews .
• Generate mission status reports and presentations for Weekly Staff Meeting, Executive Program Reviews, and mission status briefings for space situational awareness programs.
• Reviews and provides technical evaluations for key mission contractual documentation for sustainment contracts.

Qualifications

This is you:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM discipline with a minimum of 10+ years of experience in space systems engineering, specifically focusing on ground segments and satellite operations.
• Must have an in‑scope security background investigation (T5), adjudicated for SCI eligibility and rolled in the Continuous Vetting program (if applicable).
• Must be willing to be nominated for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information and Special Access Programs and consent to a polygraph examination (as required).
• Solid understanding of network protocols, RF communications, ground station operations, and CCSDS packet standards.

You will wow us even more if you have these skills:

• Hands‑on experience with autonomous scripting or automated recovery routines in programming languages such as Python, C++, or bash.
• Formal training or practical experience applying Human Factors Engineering (HFE) standards (e.g., NASA-STD-3001, MIL-STD-1472.
• Experience managing multi‑satellite constellation operations or fleet automation.
• Experience deploying ground data systems on cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) using modern DevSecOps tools (Docker, Kubernetes).

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