Senior Ground Communications Systems Engineer

SAIC; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC’s Space and Intelligence Business Group in Chantilly, VA is hiring a Systems Engineer to lead ground communications for a mission-critical space program. You will translate requirements into specifications, drive design reviews, and ensure system integrity across the lifecycle.

The role requires an active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph, a STEM degree, and experience in ground communications or satellite programs. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to ensure mission success.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• BS or MS in a STEM field with 14 years (BS) or 12 years (MS) of experience.
• Experience in ground communications or satellite programs.
• Experience with government or commercial satellite programs.
• Excellent communication and customer engagement skills.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, supervised-free environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities for the ground communications segment, including requirements analysis, architecture development, design reviews, and verification/validation.
• Translate mission requirements into detailed technical specifications and perform system-level trade studies to optimize performance, cost, and risk.
• Ensure ground systems meet mission requirements and comply with applicable standards and regulations.
• Provide technical oversight to contractors and vendors, ensuring designs meet customer requirements, risk tolerance, budget, and schedule.
• Collaborate with the customer to develop system-level requirements, ICDs, and CONOPS.
• Work with a multidisciplinary team to ensure system integration and mission success.
• Assess prime contractor performance at milestone reviews and recommend improvements.
• Identify and manage risks throughout the lifecycle and develop mitigation strategies.
• Oversee integrated system testing, troubleshooting, and anomaly resolution.
• Hands-on full lifecycle ground system development from requirements to operations.

Skills

System engineering

Requirements analysis

Technical leadership

Customer engagement

Risk assessment

Education

BS in Electrical/Systems/Aerospace engineering

MS in related STEM

Tools

MBSE tools

System modeling

Job description

SAIC’s Space and Intelligence Business Group in Chantilly, VA is hiring a Systems Engineer to lead ground communications for a mission-critical space program. You will translate requirements into specifications, drive design reviews, and ensure system integrity across the lifecycle.

The role requires an active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph, a STEM degree, and experience in ground communications or satellite programs. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to ensure mission success.