Payload Systems Engineer Chief

Saic; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Payload Systems Engineer Chief to provide onsite SE/TA services at the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, VA. You will guide multiple satellite payload programs through development, acquisition, and execution, advising on technical and programmatic aspects across EO and SAR portfolios.

You will support the Payload Division SETA team, participate in reviews, assist with SOWs and contract actions, and ensure system closure to meet mission needs with a TS/SCI clearance.

Qualifications

• Requires active Top Secret/SCI with current Polygraph.
• Experience developing, designing, manufacturing and testing satellite payloads.
• Proven ability to assess contractor designs, identify risks, and evaluate technical performance against mission requirements.

Responsibilities

• Advise the PROSPO Payload Division Chief on payload development and acquisition.
• Support the SPO in planning, execution, and oversight of EO and SAR payload systems.
• Assist Government in developing CONOPS, requirements, SOWs, and other contract documents.
• Provide oversight of acquisitions to ensure end-to-end system closure and mission success.
• Draft technical evaluations and serve as a technical advisor during source selections.
• Communicate study results and program status to Government and industry stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Team-building

Communication

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Description

SAIC is seeking a Payload Systems Engineer Chief to provide onsite systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) services in support of an SAIC Prime Program at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in Chantilly, VA.

As the Payload Systems Engineer Chief, you will play a critical role in the development, acquisition, and execution of multiple satellite payload systems—both on‑orbit and in development. You will support the Payload Division SETA team in advising the government on technical, programmatic, and acquisition activities across EO and SAR payload portfolios. This role requires familiarity with NRO mission structures, acquisition processes, and satellite system lifecycles.

Job Responsibilities to Include:

• Advise the PROSPO Payload Division Chief on all aspects of payload development and acquisition.
• Support the SPO in planning, execution, monitoring, and oversight of multiple EO and SAR payload systems in development and acquisition.
• Assist the Government in developing CONOPS and employment approaches for EO and SAR systems.
• Assist the Government in developing requirement documents, statements of work (SOWs), and other contract documents during program acquisition and contract action preparation.
• Provide oversight of acquisitions to ensure end‑to‑end system closure and satisfaction of mission need.
• Draft technical evaluations and serve as a technical advisor during source selections.
• Provide technical and programmatic assessments of contractor designs at major milestone reviews to evaluate progress, risks, issues, and ability to meet mission requirements.
• Participate in program reviews and technical interchange meetings between developers and the COTR.
• Review CDRL deliverables for technical accuracy, completeness, and sufficiency to meet program objectives.
• Provide technical support to Government customer activities and programmatic processes.
• Develop documents and briefings to communicate study results, technical findings, and program status to Government and industry stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelors and eighteen (18) years or more experience; Masters and sixteen (16) years or more experience; PhD or JD and fifteen years or more experience.
• Active Top Secret/SCI with current Polygraph.
• Experience with satellite and/or satellite payload system requirement development, design, manufacturing, and test.
• Demonstrated experience supporting satellite and/or payload design reviews, including SRR, SDR, PDR, CDR, TRR, MRR, PSR, and related milestone reviews.
• Experience supporting the acquisition of multiple payload systems.
• Experience developing requirement documents, statements of work, and other contract documents for major acquisition programs.
• Proven ability to assess contractor designs, identify risks, and evaluate technical performance against mission requirements.
• 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.

Target salary range: $200,001 - $240,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.