GEOINT Ground Systems Thread Engineer

Socket.dev; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC in Chantilly, VA seeks a GEOINT Ground Systems Thread Engineer to serve as a mission-thread integrator across GEOINT ground capabilities, from tasking to processing and dissemination.

You will collaborate with Government leads, SETA teammates, and contractors to baseline new capabilities, shape architectural decisions, and ensure readiness of mission-critical ground services in a demanding intelligence environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 9+ years experience (MS 7+ yrs, PhD/JD 4+ yrs).
• Active Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph.
• 2+ years GEOINT ground processing experience.
• Experience with GEOINT systems, including space/ground architectures, mission control, and mission processing.
• Knowledge of IC/DoD acquisition processes, roles and program management.
• Domain knowledge in ground software or space development programs.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end engineering and analysis across GEOINT ground mission threads.
• Define, decompose, and baseline GEOINT ground capabilities and interfaces.
• Provide technical oversight of contractor development, integration, and verification.
• Analyze workflows, identify performance gaps, and propose improvements.
• Support technical reviews, test events, and readiness milestones.
• Maintain cognizance of GEOINT mission projects, baselines and risks.
• Conduct trade studies and shape future GEOINT ground architectures.
• Review contractor proposals and program plans for feasibility and alignment.
• Coordinate across Government, SETA, FFRDC, and contractors for alignment.

Education

Bachelor's degree + 9+ years experience / MS + 7+ years / PhD/JD + 4+ years

Active Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph

Tools

GEOINT systems

Space/ground architectures

Mission control

Job description

SAIC is seeking a GEOINT Ground Systems Thread Engineer to join SAIC’s Prime SETA program supporting the NRO in Chantilly, VA .

As the GEOINT Ground Systems Thread Engineer, you will serve as a mission‑thread integrator, ensuring that GEOINT ground capabilities—from tasking to collection to processing to dissemination—operate coherently across programs, contractors, and enterprise stakeholders. You will work daily with senior Government leads, SETA teammates, and development contractors to baseline new capabilities, assess emerging technologies, shape architectural decisions, and ensure readiness of mission-critical ground services.

Key Responsibilities to include:

• Support end‑to‑end engineering and analysis across GEOINT ground mission threads, ensuring technical and operational coherence from collection tasking through mission processing and product delivery.
• Support definition, decomposition, and baseline of GEOINT ground capabilities, including requirements, CONOPS, interfaces, sequencing, and dependency mapping.
• Provide technical oversight of contractor development, integration, and verification activities to ensure alignment with Government requirements and architectural direction.
• Analyze operational workflows, identify performance gaps, and recommend enhancements to improve mission throughput, resiliency, and automation.
• Support technical reviews, test events, readiness milestones, and enterprise integration activities to validate capability delivery and operational suitability.
• Maintain cognizance of GEOINT mission projects, including baselines, schedules, interdependencies, risks, and cost drivers across the Ground Enterprise.
• Conduct trade studies, evaluate emerging technologies, and shape future GEOINT ground architectures, including cloud‑native modernization and service‑based designs.
• Evaluate impacts to cost, schedule, performance, and risk across mission threads and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Review contractor proposals, technical reports, design artifacts, and program plans for feasibility, compliance, and alignment with enterprise priorities.
• Coordinate across Government, SETA, FFRDC, and contractor teams to ensure alignment with strategic priorities, operational needs, and enterprise performance standards.

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience. Relevant experience to be substituted in lieu of degree.
• Active Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph.
• 2+ years of experience with GEOINT ground processing capabilities.
• Experience with GEOINT systems, including space/ground architectures, mission control, and mission processing.
• Knowledge of IC/DoD acquisition processes, roles, and program management.
• Domain knowledge in ground software, space development programs, or mission operations.
• Experience supporting Intelligence Community (IC) programs.
• Ability to operate independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver high‑quality engineering products with minimal guidance.
• Strong organizational, communication, and analytical skills, able to convey complex information across technical and leadership audiences.

SAIC® is a premier mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets includes secure high‑end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.
We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.