Senior Systems Engineer

SAIC; Indiana; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to support the NSWC Crane and the IBAS program, serving as Technology Project Officer for SRM and kinetics projects. The role involves managing technical scope, coordinating with stakeholders, and evaluating supplier readiness at CONUS sites.

The ideal candidate will bring propulsion/energetics expertise, QA and manufacturing background, and proven program execution experience, with ability to travel and engage at the customer site as needed.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's in engineering/chemistry/materials science or related field and 9+ years experience; Master’s degree with 7+ years experience.
• Active Top Secret clearance required at time of hire.
• 6+ years combined experience in systems engineering, energetics/propulsion, quality assurance, or manufacturing engineering in defense/government contracting.
• Demonstrated experience with solid rocket motors, propellant formulation, or energetic materials in research or program support.
• Background in quality assurance and/or manufacturing engineering with familiarity with QA systems, process controls, supplier quality evaluation.
• Experience supporting program reviews, technical documentation, and CDRL development in a DoD environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting technical findings to senior stakeholders.
• Ability to travel up to 25% CONUS to vendor sites and to support on-site meetings at NSWC Crane, Indiana.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Technology Project Officer (TPO) for SRM and kinetics portfolio technology projects, managing scope, schedule, and deliverables for the IBAS program.
• Conduct Industrial Base Analysis activities including vendor assessments and supply chain risk identification for SRM components.
• Support sustainment planning by evaluating supplier readiness, production capacity, and quality systems at CONUS vendor sites.
• Coordinate technical interchange meetings, program reviews, and working groups with NSWC Crane stakeholders and industry partners.
• Develop and deliver technical reports, white papers, and CDRLs in support of milestones.
• Apply systems engineering to assess technology maturity, identify gaps, and recommend investment strategies.
• Collaborate with government and contractor teams to evaluate quality and manufacturing processes and identify risks.
• Support critical design reviews, interim program reviews, and other gate reviews as required.
• Leverage propellant formulation and energetic materials knowledge during vendor assessments and technology evaluations.
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies and industrial base trends relevant to solid rocket motors.

Skills

Systems engineering

Energetics

Propulsion

Quality assurance

Manufacturing engineering

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or related discipline

Master's degree with 7+ years experience

Tools

SysML/Cameo

Python

Explo5

Job description

Description

SAIC seeking a highly motivated and technically versatileSenior Systems Engineerto support the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane and the Office of Strategic Weapons Acquisition & Sustainment (OSW A&S)Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program. In this role, the candidate will serve as aTechnology Project Officer (TPO)within the kinetics portfolio, with a primary focus onsolid rocket motor (SRM) technology projectsand various other kinetics-related efforts.

The ideal candidate brings a unique combination ofenergetics and propulsion domain expertise, quality assurance and manufacturing background, systems engineering discipline, and program execution experience. This is a hybrid/telework position requiring regular engagement at the NSWC Crane customer site and periodic travel to vendor and industrial base locations across the continental United States.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as Technology Project Officer (TPO) for solid rocket motor and other kinetics portfolio technology projects, managing technical scope, schedule, and deliverables on behalf of the IBAS program
• ConductIndustrial Base Analysisactivities including vendor assessments, manufacturing capability evaluations, and supply chain risk identification for solid rocket motor and kinetics-related components
• Supportsustainment planningfor energetics and propulsion systems by evaluating supplier readiness, production capacity, and quality management systems at CONUS vendor sites
• Coordinate and facilitate technical interchange meetings (TIMs), program reviews, and working groups with NSWC Crane stakeholders, program offices, and industry partners
• Develop and deliver technical reports, white papers, briefings, and CDRLs in support of program milestones and customer requirements
• Apply systems engineering principles to assess technology maturity (TRL/MRL), identify gaps, and recommend investment strategies within the kinetics portfolio
• Collaborate with government and contractor teams to evaluatequality and manufacturing processesat the component and system level, identifying risks and opportunities for improvement
• Supportcritical design reviews, interim program reviews, and other technical gate reviews as required
• Leverage knowledge ofpropellant formulation, energetic materials, and warhead systemsto provide subject matter expertise during vendor assessments and technology evaluations
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies and industrial base trends relevant to solid rocket motors and kinetics systems

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelors in Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience
• Active Top Secret clearancerequired at time of hire
• 6+years of combined experiencein systems engineering, energetics/propulsion, quality assurance, or manufacturing engineering in a defense or government contracting environment
• Demonstrated experience withsolid rocket motors, propellant formulation, or energetic materialsin a research, production, or program support capacity
• Background inquality assurance and/or manufacturing engineering, including familiarity with quality management systems, process controls, and supplier quality evaluation
• Experience supportingprogram reviews, technical documentation, and CDRL developmentin a DoD acquisition environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical findings to senior government and industry stakeholders
• Ability to travel up to25% CONUSto vendor and industrial base sites
• Ability to supporton-site customer meetings 1-2 days per weekat NSWC Crane, Indiana

Preferred Qualifications

• Research focus in energetics, propellants, or related fields
• Direct experience withsolid rocket motor programsin a DoD or Navy acquisition context
• Familiarity withNSWC Crane, Naval Acquisition programs, or OSW A&S program structure
• Experience conductinginternal or supplier auditsin a defense manufacturing environment, including familiarity with AS9100, CMMI, or equivalent quality frameworks
• Earned Value Management (EVM) knowledge orCAM certification
• Proficiency withSysML/Cameoor other model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools
• Experience withParts, Materials, and Processes (PMP) engineeringin a missile or munitions program context
• Familiarity withAFATDS, fire control systems, or kinetics/fires domainfrom a military or defense perspective
• Prior military service with experience infires, combat engineering, or explosive systemsis highly desirable
• Proficiency with analytical tools including Python, Explo5, or equivalent computational platforms relevant to energetics analysis

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