Ground Architecture Engineer

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

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Ground Architecture Engineer to provide onsite SETA support for a National Reconnaissance Office program in Chantilly, VA. The role focuses on planning, acquiring, and implementing mission ground architecture capabilities to enable next‑generation space systems.

Responsibilities include coordinating with government stakeholders, contractors, and mission partners to ensure alignment with mission needs, converting capability needs into actionable requirements, and delivering

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline with 9+ years of relevant experience; OR Master’s degree with 7+ years; OR PhD/JD with 4+ years.
• In lieu of a degree, 4 additional years of directly related systems engineering or mission ground architecture experience may be considered.
• Experience with NRO satellite systems and/or National Security Space programs.
• Knowledge of mission ground architecture, system integration, and capability development processes (requirements analysis, design, verification/validation).
• Experience supporting acquisition, implementation, and technical coordination activities in a government or SETA environment.
• Proven ability to maintain requirements traceability and alignment between mission needs, technical baselines, and delivered solutions.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with ability to manage multiple priorities and coordinate across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Support development and enhancement of mission ground architecture capabilities across the enterprise.
• Coordinate with government stakeholders, contractors, and partners to align efforts with operational needs and program priorities.
• Translate capability needs into actionable requirements, baselines, and implementation plans with traceability.
• Support government-led activities from concept to contracting and design reviews, including CDRL content review.
• Monitor contractor activities and resolve issues affecting ground system implementation.
• Develop and deliver briefs, technical summaries, and acquisition documentation for leadership.

Skills

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Stakeholder coordination

Requirements traceability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/CS/Physics/Math

Master’s degree

PhD/JD

Tools

MBSE concepts

Requirements management tools

Job description

Job ID 2618450

Location Chantilly, VA, US

Date Posted 2026-10-27

Category Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory Systems Engineer

Schedule Full-Time

Shift Day Job

Travel Yes - 25% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required TS.SCI_wPoly

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain None

Potential for Remote Work ORA_ON_SITE

Description

SAIC is seeking a Ground Architecture Engineer to provide onsite systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) support to an SAIC prime program at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in Chantilly, VA. This role focuses on planning, acquiring, and implementing mission ground architecture capabilities that enable next‑generation space systems. The engineer will work closely with government stakeholders, contractors, and mission partners to ensure ground systems and services are aligned with NRO mission needs, technical requirements, and program objectives in a complex, multi‑organization environment.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to

• Support the planning, development, and enhancement of mission ground architecture capabilities across the enterprise, including system integration and capability improvements.
• Coordinate with government stakeholders, contractors, and mission partners to align technical efforts with operational needs, program priorities, and enterprise‑level ground strategies.
• Translate capability needs into actionable requirements, acquisition inputs, technical baselines, and implementation plans, ensuring requirements traceability throughout the lifecycle.
• Support government‑led activities from concept development through contracting, acquisition, design reviews, milestone reviews, and execution, including review of Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) deliverables for content, accuracy, and sufficiency.
• Monitor contractor activities and provide coordination support to identify and resolve technical issues, gaps, risks, and dependencies affecting ground system implementation.
• Develop and deliver briefings, technical summaries, acquisition documentation, and leadership updates related to ground capability initiatives and enterprise ground architecture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline and 9+ years of relevant experience; OR Master’s degree and 7+ years of relevant experience; OR PhD/JD and 4+ years of relevant experience.
• In lieu of a degree, an additional 4 years of directly related systems engineering or mission ground architecture experience may be considered.
• Experience with NRO satellite systems and/or National Security Space programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of mission ground architecture, system integration, and capability development processes (e.g., requirements analysis, design, verification/validation).
• Experience supporting acquisition, implementation, and technical coordination activities in a government or SETA environment.
• Proven ability to maintain requirements traceability and alignment between mission needs, technical baselines, and delivered solutions.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and coordinate across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 25% of the time.

Clearance Requirements

• Current and active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance with polygraph.
• Must be able to maintain eligibility for access to NRO and other customer facilities and systems as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior SETA or FFRDC experience supporting the NRO or other Intelligence Community (IC) space programs.
• Experience with enterprise ground systems, mission management, data processing, and/or ground system modernization initiatives.
• Familiarity with systems engineering frameworks (e.g., INCOSE processes), requirements management tools, and model-based systems engineering (MBSE) concepts.
• Experience reviewing and assessing CDRLs, technical proposals, and contractor deliverables for compliance and technical rigor.
• Background in architecting or assessing end‑to‑end space‑to‑ground mission solutions, including interfaces and interoperability across multiple organizations.

Physical Requirements

• Work is primarily performed in an office, classified facility, and/or operations center environment.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position (e.g., sitting at a desk or console) for extended periods while using a computer and participating in meetings.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., transporting laptops, documents, or small equipment).
• Ability to travel via commercial or military transportation, including walking through airports and climbing stairs, as required to support meetings and reviews (up to 25% of the time).

2026.10.2

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