Ground Comms System Engineer

SAIC; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC’s Space and Intelligence Business Group in Chantilly, VA is hiring a Systems Engineer to lead ground communications for a mission-critical space program. You will translate requirements into specifications, drive design reviews, and ensure system integrity across the lifecycle.

The role requires an active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph, a STEM degree, and experience in ground communications or satellite programs. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to ensure mission success.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• BS or MS in a STEM field with 14 years (BS) or 12 years (MS) of experience.
• Experience in ground communications or satellite programs.
• Experience with government or commercial satellite programs.
• Excellent communication and customer engagement skills.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, supervised-free environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities for the ground communications segment, including requirements analysis, architecture development, design reviews, and verification/validation.
• Translate mission requirements into detailed technical specifications and perform system-level trade studies to optimize performance, cost, and risk.
• Ensure ground systems meet mission requirements and comply with applicable standards and regulations.
• Provide technical oversight to contractors and vendors, ensuring designs meet customer requirements, risk tolerance, budget, and schedule.
• Collaborate with the customer to develop system-level requirements, ICDs, and CONOPS.
• Work with a multidisciplinary team to ensure system integration and mission success.
• Assess prime contractor performance at milestone reviews and recommend improvements.
• Identify and manage risks throughout the lifecycle and develop mitigation strategies.
• Oversee integrated system testing, troubleshooting, and anomaly resolution.
• Hands-on full lifecycle ground system development from requirements to operations.

Skills

System engineering

Requirements analysis

Technical leadership

Customer engagement

Risk assessment

Education

BS in Electrical/Systems/Aerospace engineering

MS in related STEM

Tools

MBSE tools

System modeling

Job description

Join a winning team!! SAIC's Space and Intelligence Business Group is currently hiring to advance space capabilities supporting our Department of Defense (DOD) and Intelligence Community customers. Ten miles from the SAIC headquarters, our Chantilly, VA team supports systems development, targeting & intelligence analysis, systems engineering & integration and more.This position is for a Systems Engineer for a large contract supporting a cutting-edge and innovative space program. The Systems Engineer will oversee the coordination, technical guidance, and operational assurance of ground communications systems for mission-critical spacecraft operations. This position provides support to the customers' execution of the Program with responsibilities that may include, but are not limited to the following:

Role Responsibilities:

• Lead systems engineering activities for the ground communications segment, including requirements analysis, architecture development, design reviews, and verification/validation.
• Translate mission requirements into detailed technical specifications and perform system-level trade studies to optimize performance, cost, and risk.
• Ensure ground systems meet mission requirements and comply with applicable standards and regulations.
• Provide technical oversight to contractors and vendors, ensuring designs meet all customer requirements, risk tolerance, budget, and schedule, while assessing technical solutions and recommending Courses of Action (COA).
• Collaborate with the customer to develop and maintain system-level requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), and concepts of operations (CONOPS).
• Work closely with a multidisciplinary team to ensure system integration and mission success. Foster communication and alignment among team members to identify challenges and corresponding solutions.
• Evaluate prime contractor performance at milestone reviews by analyzing compliance with technical requirements, and quality of deliverables. Offer recommendations to improve project outcomes and likelihood of success.
• Identify and manage risks throughout the systems engineering lifecycle by conducting risk assessments, developing mitigation strategies, and monitoring potential impacts on mission objectives.
• Oversee integrated system testing, troubleshooting, and anomaly resolution across ground communications infrastructure.
• Hands-on involvement in full lifecycle ground system development from requirements through operations.

Essential Qualifications:

• Must possess an active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related STEM field, with 14 years of experience with a Bachelors or 12 with a Masters
• Experience in ground communication systems development, operational experience with ground communication systems, or demonstrated aptitude in managing system engineering responsibilities
• Experience working on a Government or Commercial satellite program.
• Effective communication, coordination, and customer engagement skills.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic, and team environment with no supervision.

Desired Qualifications:

• Deep knowledge of ground communication subsystems, including but not limited to RF communications, signal processing, network protocols, and data management techniques.
• Experience with ground terminal architectures across multiple satellite orbits and frequency bands.
• Knowledge in ground network operations, SATCOM network management, cybersecurity considerations in ground communications systems.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and practices.