Launch Operations Support Engineer

SAIC; Vandenberg Village (CA); 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 provide onsite systems engineering and SETA services in support of an SAIC Prime Program at the NRO. You will deliver on-site launch support and serve as the interface between the program office, launch provider, and NRO, ensuring mission execution.

You will coordinate launch campaign activities, track milestones, manage risks, and provide timely status updates to leadership while supporting high-tempo

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree; 9+ years experience or equivalent
• Master's degree; 7+ years experience or equivalent
• PhD or JD; 4+ years experience or equivalent
• Top Secret/SCI clearance with Poly
• Experience with launch base processing and operations
• Experience supporting satellite launch activities
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, team-building and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of NRO organization and major acquisition processes

Responsibilities

• Serve as 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 stakeholders.
• Provide timely launch status updates and leadership-facing communications.
• Support preparation for launch events, readiness activities and milestone reviews.
• Track action items, issues and decisions related to launch support activities.
• Facilitate communication across mission partners to ensure alignment and successful execution.
• Assist with development of briefing materials, reports and leadership communications.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Team-building

Problem-solving

Government/contractor experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD/JD

Job description

Location Vandenberg SFB, CA, US

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

SAIC is seeking a Launch Operations Support Engineer at 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.

Job Responsibilities 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

• 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.