Senior Nuclear Detection Systems Engineer

SAIC; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC in El Segundo, CA is seeking a Systems Engineer with DoD space program experience to support the Nuclear Detection System capabilities. You will work on requirements, baselines, and verification while coordinating with government and contractors to ensure mission success.

The role requires a Sec Clearance with willingness to upgrade to TS; travel up to 10%; full‑time daytime schedule in a national security environment in the greater Los Angeles area.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s with DoD space/ground system development experience
• Active Secret with willingness to obtain Top Secret clearance
• Strong leadership and communication abilities

Responsibilities

• Define and allocate system requirements in DOORS; refine concepts and verification methods
• Maintain program technical baseline and RFC process for requirements and ICDs
• Collaborate with government, contractors, and end users to align needs
• Develop briefings and assessments for government leadership and diverse audiences

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Systems development

DoD knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

Job description

Minimum Clearance Required Secret

Job ID 2616361

Location El Segundo, CA, US

Date Posted 2026-09-01

Category Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory Systems Engineer

Schedule Full-Time

Shift Day Job

Travel Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain Top Secret

Potential for Remote Work ORA_HYBRID

Description

Make a difference for national security by joining a team of dedicated professionals in El Segundo, CA who assist the US Space Force in developing and deploying the satellites and ground systems for Nuclear Detection System (NDS) capabilities. These systems provide timely and critical nuclear detection data to our warfighter to ensure national security mission success.

Responsibilities

• Provide Systems Engineering expertise with focus on requirement definition & allocations in DOORS, refine enterprise operational concepts, and develop verification methodologies toward operational acceptance.
• Conduct and maintain the program technical baseline, managing RFC process for Requirements Specification, ICDs, and Systems Engineering products.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders including executive officials, military officers, development contractors, and end users.
• Develop briefings and assessments to a variety of audiences and must be able to convey information in a clear and articulate manner to Government leadership.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and five (5) or more years of experience, Master’s Degree and three (3) or more years of experience
• Active Secret Clearance with willingness to obtain a Top Secret Clearance
• Experience with systems development, technical baseline management
• Relevant DoD space and ground system development experience
• Strong leadership, interpersonal communications skills
• Experience in collaborating with Government & contractor teams

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in engineering, science or related technical field
• Experience in large Government systems development and acquisition
• Active TS or TS/SCI Clearance

Target salary range $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.