Payload Integration Engineer

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

Job summary

SAIC, based in Reston, VA, is seeking a Payload Integration Engineer in Chantilly to guide development, verification, and deployment of a critical space system within a government program office.

The role emphasizes system integration, payload trades, interface analyses, and milestone reviews, requiring extensive space-systems experience and active TS/SCI clearance. You will collaborate across teams to field capabilities and support ongoing programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 14+ years of experience or Master's with 12+ years of experience.
• System integration and test experience with space systems.
• Knowledge and application of Systems Engineering processes and functions.
• Prior experience with satellite systems design, requirements, development, integration and test.
• Experience with the Intelligence Community or the Department of Defense Satellite Program Office best practices.
• Proven experience with satellite system requirement development, design, manufacturing, and test.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team building and problem-solving skills in government/contractor environments.
• Ability to facilitate technical discussions with SMEs and communicate with senior decision makers.

Responsibilities

• Support the System Program Office (SPO) in technical capacity for acquisition planning, design and integration of payloads for space systems.
• Provide programmatic and technical support on payload trades and integration activities to field a space system.
• Support payload interface compatibility analyses.
• Perform system analysis and interface definition and management/execution.
• Participate in studies and system trades for enhanced capabilities.
• Participate in payload integration risk reduction planning and test execution.
• Develop plans to on-ramp new mission capabilities.
• Assist in ICD development; define boundaries between satellites and launch vehicles.
• Support verification, validation, and test planning.
• Provide assessments at major milestone reviews and communicate status to Government and industry.

Skills

System integration

Test experience

Systems engineering

Satellite systems

DoD/IC experience

Leadership

Stakeholder communication

TS/SCI clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Description

Join a mission driven satellite program at the forefront of national defense innovation. Our team is developing cutting edge technologies that directly support critical Department of War priorities, combining both proven and first-of-their-kind capabilities that have never been applied in space. Operating within a fast-paced acquisition environment, we benefit from streamlined authorities and direct access to senior Government decisionmakers, enabling us to move quickly and execute aggressive schedules using the most innovative contracting strategies available.

SAIC is seeking self-directed leaders who skillfully navigate ambiguity, solve complex challenges, and bring diverse expertise to a dynamic environment focused on delivering capability rapidly. Success here requires adaptability, initiative, and a willingness to wear multiple hats in support of a high impact mission. Candidates experienced as USAF/USSF acquisition officers (AFSC: 63A) or developmental engineers (AFSC: 62E) leading satellite programs in the USSF (SSC), NRO, or SDA, applying the full range of the systems engineering discipline (e.g., Requirements Development, Architecture, SE milestones: SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.), and/or DAWIA/PMI Program Management will be especially well-prepared to excel.

Job Description

This position is for a Payload Integration Engineer in Chantilly, VA supporting cutting-edge and innovative space programs. The Payload Integration Engineer provides embedded support within the government program office to guide the development, verification, and deployment of a critical space system. In addition, the selected candidate will provide engineering expertise to oversee the payload integration activities (both technical and programmatic), track integration efforts, assess risk, and lead and support impact studies and trades.

Role Responsibilities

• Support the System Program Office (SPO) in a technical capacity for acquisition planning, design, integration of payloads associated with space systems
• Provide programmatic and technical support on payload trades and integration activities to support the fielding of a space system
• Support Payload interface compatibility analyses
• Perform system analysis and interface definition and management/ execution
• Participate in studies and system trades for enhanced capabilities
• Participate in payload integration risk reduction planning and test execution
• Develop plans to on-ramp new mission capabilities
• Assist in the development of Interface Control Documents (ICDs); defining the technical, electrical, and mechanical boundaries between satellites and launch vehicles
• Support verification, validation, and test planning
• Provide technical and programmatic assessments of contractor designs at major milestone reviews to assess progress, risks and issues, and the ability to achieve mission requirements
• Provide technical support to Government customer activities and programmatic processes.
• Develop documents and briefings to communicate work or study status and brief Government and industry as required.

Qualifications

• TYPICAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelors and fourteen (14) years or more experience; Masters and twelve (12) years or more experience
• System integration and test experience with space systems
• Knowledge and application of Systems Engineering processes and functions.
• Prior experience with satellite systems design, requirements, development, integration and test.
• Experience with the Intelligence Community or the Department of Defense Satellite Program Office best practices.
• Proven experience with satellite system requirement development, design, manufacturing, and test.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team building and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to be effective in a government/contractor team environment.
• Ability to facilitate technical discussions with SMEs.
• Ability to communicate with a diverse audience of senior decision makers with varying levels of programmatic and technical expertise.
• Effective communication, coordination, and customer engagement skills.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic, and team environment with no supervision.
• Active TS/SCI required.
• Previous SAP experience desired.

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

SAIC is a premier technology integrator, solving our nation's most complex modernization and systems engineering challenges across the defense, space, federal civilian, and intelligence markets. Our robust portfolio of offerings includes high-end solutions in systems engineering and integration; enterprise IT, including cloud services; cyber; software; advanced analytics and simulation; and training. We are a team of 23,000 strong driven by mission, united purpose, and inspired by opportunity. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $6.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see Working at SAIC. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability