Satellite Factory Project Engineer

SAIC; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC in Los Angeles, CA is seeking a Satellite Factory Project Engineer to support cutting-edge space programs. You will serve as the on-site liaison to the Government Program Office, delivering system engineering and subsystems expertise across the lifecycle to ensure on-time mission success.

The role requires TS/SCI clearance, extensive experience in electro-optical satellite subsystems, and proven ability to lead across a multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced, government/contractor

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 18+ years of experience; or Master’s degree with 16+ years of experience.
• Electro-optical subsystem design, engineering, or test experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team-building and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to be effective in a government/contractor team environment.
• Experience providing systems engineering support in the acquisition, development, and deployment of satellite systems.
• Ability to work in a very dynamic environment and effectively interact with numerous DOD, military/civilian personnel and industry partners.
• 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.
• TS/SCI required.
• Previous SAP experience desired.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and partners with the factory system engineering staff of multiple vendors to become a valued member of the team.
• Actively participates in Factory engineering, manufacturing, and testing activities to monitor progress, identify potential setbacks, and promote opportunities to achieve win-win solutions.
• Proactively communicates development and test statuses with the Program Office mission team.
• Provides subsystem and system engineering expertise to identify opportunities to improve designs and streamline development and integration of subsystems to achieve on-time mission success.
• Participates in weekly mission-focused status meetings to report on programmatic and technical performance, reports potential risks and opportunities, communicates Developer challenges and assists with Developer requests when needed.
• Works closely with a multidisciplinary team including hardware and software, to ensure system integration and mission success.
• Fosters communication and alignment among team members to identify challenges and corresponding solutions.
• Evaluates prime contractor performance at milestone reviews by analyzing compliance with technical requirements, and quality of deliverables.
• Provides recommendations to improve project outcomes and likelihood of success.
• Identifies and manages risks throughout the systems engineering lifecycle by conducting risk assessments, developing mitigation strategies, and monitoring potential impacts on mission objectives.
• Develops documents and briefings to communicate work or study status and briefs Government as required.

Skills

Electro-optical design

Systems engineering

Leadership

Problem-solving

Stakeholder communication

DOD/contractor experience

SME facilitation

Communication with senior leaders

Risk management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree + 18+ years experience

Master's degree + 16+ years

Job description

Minimum Clearance Required TS.SCI

Job ID 2615962

Location Los Angeles, CA, US

Date Posted 2026-08-21

Category Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory Systems Engineer

Schedule Full-Time

Shift Day Job

Travel Yes - 10% of the time

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain None

Potential for Remote Work ORA_ON_SITE

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.

Job Description

This position is for a Satellite Factory Project Engineer in the LA Metro Area supporting cutting-edge and innovative space programs. The Satellite Factory Project Engineer is a vital link to our proven technical team of system engineers and satellite subject matter experts. This position is located in the Los Angeles, CA area. As the on-site representative for the Government Program Office, this position provides system engineering and subsystem expertise to monitor developmental efforts and identify potential risks that could delay schedule. The Satellite Factory Project Engineer also directly supports multiple satellite missions providing system engineering expertise through the system’s lifecycle.

Job Responsibilities

• Coordinates and partners with the factory system engineering staff of multiple vendors to become a valued member of the team.
• Actively participates in Factory engineering, manufacturing, and testing activities to monitor progress, identify potential setbacks, and promote opportunities to achieve win-win solutions.
• Proactively communicates development and test statuses with the Program Office mission team.
• Provides subsystem and system engineering expertise to identify opportunities to improve designs and streamline development and integration of subsystems to achieve on-time mission success.
• Participates in weekly mission-focused status meetings to report on programmatic and technical performance, reports potential risks and opportunities, communicates Developer challenges and assists with Developer requests when needed.
• Works closely with a multidisciplinary team including hardware and software, to ensure system integration and mission success.
• Fosters communication and alignment among team members to identify challenges and corresponding solutions.
• Evaluates prime contractor performance at milestone reviews by analyzing compliance with technical requirements, and quality of deliverables.
• Provides recommendations to improve project outcomes and likelihood of success.
• Identifies and manages risks throughout the systems engineering lifecycle by conducting risk assessments, developing mitigation strategies, and monitoring potential impacts on mission objectives.
• Develops documents and briefings to communicate work or study status and briefs Government as required.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Typical Education and Experience Bachelors and eighteen (18) years or more experience; Masters and sixteen (16) years or more experience.
• Electro-optical subsystem design, engineering, or test experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team building and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to be effective in a government/contractor team environment.
• Experience providing systems engineering support and technical guidance in the acquisition, development, and deployment of satellite systems.
• Ability to work in a very dynamic environment and effectively interact with numerous DOD, military/civilian personnel and industry partners.
• 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.
• TS/SCI required.
• Previous SAP experience desired.

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