Ground Architecture Systems Engineer

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

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Ground Architecture Systems Engineer to provide high‑impact SETA support on a National Reconnaissance Office program in Chantilly, VA. You will track deliverables and requirements across multiple acquisitions and guide enterprise architectural direction.

The role requires 3+ years in ground architectures for mission-critical systems, GEOINT/SIGINT familiarity, and an active TS/SCI with Poly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 9+ years experience; Master’s 7+; PhD/JD 4+.
• Active Top Secret/SCI with Poly.
• 3+ years in system engineering and demonstrable ground-architecture expertise.
• Background in GEOINT or SIGINT.
• Practical Agile experience in acquisition environments.
• Experience with government acquisition strategies and lifecycle management.
• Ability to brief government stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Define, develop, and implement ground system architectures that enable advanced mission capabilities.
• Analyze system requirements, shape technical solutions, and deliver architectural recommendations to government stakeholders.
• Assess mission needs, transition paths, and future-state options to guide enterprise evolution.
• Partner with government teams to craft acquisition strategies and documentation for effective program execution.
• Develop and review acquisition artifacts, including SOWs, Justifications for Approval, and Government Cost Estimates.
• Support prototype acquisition planning, solicitations, evaluations, and awards across mechanisms like IDIQ task orders.
• Coordinate with System Program Office Thread Leads to maintain alignment across acquisition and engineering activities.
• Participate in Agile teams and provide technical direction on engineering tools, processes, and DevSecOps policies.

Skills

Ground architecture

Systems engineering

Agile practices

GEOINT

SIGINT

Acquisition strategies

Documentation

Stakeholder briefings

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD/JD

Job description

Description

SAIC is seeking a Ground Architecture Systems Engineer to provide high‑impact SETA support to a SAIC Prime mission‑critical program at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in Chantilly, VA.

As the Ground Architecture Systems Engineer you will track deliveries, performance requirements, and integration activities across three major system acquisitions spanning five system program offices, providing the technical and acquisition insight needed to keep complex efforts aligned with enterprise‑level architectural direction.
Key Responsibilities to include:

• Define, develop, and implement ground system architectures that enable advanced mission capabilities.


• Analyze system requirements, shape technical solutions, and deliver clear architectural recommendations to government stakeholders.


• Assess mission needs, transition paths, and future-state architectural options to guide enterprise evolution.


• Partner with government technical and contracting teams to craft acquisition strategies and documentation that drive effective program execution.


• Develop and review acquisition artifacts, including SOWs, Justifications for Approval, and Government Cost Estimates.


• Support prototype acquisition planning, solicitations, evaluations, and awards across mechanisms such as IDIQ task orders.


• Coordinate with System Program Office Thread Leads and program managers to maintain alignment across acquisition and engineering activities.


• Participate in Agile teams and provide technical direction on engineering tools, processes, and digital solutions.


• Offer informed feedback on GED Agile, Digital Engineering, and DevSecOps policies to improve governance suitability and consistency of adoption.


• Inform internal and external partners on upcoming ground deliveries, architectural changes, and impacts to existing capabilities.


• Communicate technical acquisition plans, program status, and key decisions to senior government leaders and executives.


• Apply expertise in a major intelligence discipline (e.g., SIGINT, GEOINT) to shape and evaluate program requirements for mission success.

Qualifications

Required Education and 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 a Poly.


• 3+years of experience with system engineering processes and demonstrable expertise developing ground architectures for mission‑critical systems.


• Background supporting or leveraging GEOINT or SIGINT intelligence discipline.


• Practical understanding of Agile practices within system acquisition environments.


• Demonstrated expertise in government acquisition strategies, documentation development, and full lifecycle program management.


• Strong collaboration and communication skills, including the ability to brief government stakeholders at all levels.

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