Satellite Factory Project Engineer

SAIC; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC invites applications for a Satellite Factory Project Engineer in Tucson, AZ, supporting national defense space programs. The role acts as the on-site Government Program Office liaison, delivering system engineering expertise across the lifecycle and coordinating with a cross-disciplinary team of hardware and software engineers to keep missions on schedule.

The position requires TS/SCI clearance, extensive experience in satellite systems engineering, and the ability to operate in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 18+ years of experience or Master’s with 16+ years of experience.
• Electro-optical subsystem design, engineering, or test experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team building and problem-solving skills.
• Experience providing systems engineering support and technical guidance for satellite systems.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with DOD personnel and industry partners.
• Ability to facilitate technical discussions with SMEs.
• Ability to communicate with senior decision makers with varying levels of expertise.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, team environment.
• TS/SCI clearance required.
• Previous SAP experience desired.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates with factory system engineering staff as a core team member.
• Participates in factory engineering, manufacturing, and testing activities to monitor progress and identify setbacks.
• Communicates development and test statuses to the Program Office.
• Provides subsystem and system engineering expertise to improve designs and integration.
• Participates in weekly mission-focused status meetings and reports risks and opportunities.
• Works with hardware and software teams to ensure system integration and mission success.
• Fosters communication and alignment to identify challenges and solutions.
• Evaluates contractor performance at milestone reviews and analyzes compliance with requirements.
• Provides recommendations to improve project outcomes and likelihood of success.
• Identifies and manages risks throughout the systems engineering lifecycle.

Skills

EO subsystem design

Systems engineering

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 18+ years

Master’s degree + 16+ years

Tools

SAP experience

Job description

Minimum Clearance Required TS.SCI

Job ID 2615969

Location Tucson, AZ, 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

Minimum Clearance Required TS.SCI

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 Tucson, AZ 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 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.