Launch Operations Support Engineer

SAIC; California (MO); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Launch Operations Support Engineer at Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA to deliver onsite SE/SA services for an SAIC Prime Program with the NRO. You will serve as the on-site interface among program office, launch provider and NRO, coordinating launch campaigns, processing, and stakeholder communications to ensure mission success.

Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with Poly is required. The role supports high-tempo launch operations, with milestones tracked and issues escalated as

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 9+ years experience; Master's 7+ years; PhD/JD 4+ years.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• Experience with launch base processing and satellite launch activities.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and problem-solving skills in government/contractor environments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as on-site customer representative at Vandenberg Space Force Base for launch campaign activities.
• Coordinate with launch providers and government stakeholders to support payload and launch processing through launch execution.
• Maintain awareness of launch schedules, milestones, risks and dependencies, and communicate impacts.
• Provide timely launch status updates to program office and leadership.
• Support preparation for launch events and readiness activities.
• Track action items and issues related to launch support and elevate concerns as needed.
• Facilitate communication across mission partners to ensure alignment and successful execution.
• Assist with briefing materials and leadership-facing communications.

Skills

leadership

team-building

communication

problem-solving

interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD/JD

Tools

Launch base processing

Job description

Description

SAIC is seeking a Launch Operations Support Engineerat Vandenberg Space Force Base CA to provide onsite systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) services in support of an SAIC Prime Program at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

As the Launch Operations Support Engineer, you will deliver on-site launch support and customer representation at Vandenberg Space Force Base, serving as a key interface between the program office, launch provider, and NROV. You will also support mission execution by coordinating launch campaign activities, maintaining situational awareness of payload and launch processing, and ensuring stakeholders remain informed throughout pre-launch operations. You will also support high-tempo launch activities by facilitating communication, tracking milestones, and helping resolve issues that could affect mission success.

This rewarding and mission focused position will afford a positive impact on our nation’s capabilities, through work with an incredibly strong team focused on mission success. This position requires an active Top Secret/SCI clearance with Polygraph. If you have passion for the mission, are excited about next-generation space, and love working with a great team.

JobResponsibilities to include:

• Serve as the on-site customer representative at Vandenberg Space Force Base for launch campaign activities.
• Coordinate with launch providers, mission partners, and government stakeholders to support payload and launch processing through launch execution.
• Maintain awareness of launch campaign schedules, milestones, risks, and dependencies, and communicate impacts to relevant stakeholders.
• Provide timely launch status updates, summaries, and notifications to the program office and customer leadership.
• Support preparation for launch events, readiness activities, and milestone reviews.
• Track action items, issues, and decisions related to launch support activities and elevate concerns as needed.
• Facilitate communication across mission partners to help ensure alignment and successful execution in a high-frequency launch environment.
• Assist with development of briefing materials, reports, and leadership-facing communications related to launch operations.

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.
• Current and Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with Poly
• Experience with launch base processing and operations.
• Demonstrated experience supporting satellite launch activities.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, team‑building, and problem‑solving skills with demonstrated effectiveness in a government/contractor environment.
• Working knowledge of the NRO organization, major acquisition processes, and satellite systems.
• Available to travel domestically up to 25% of the time.

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