Space Segment Launch Delivery Engineer

SAIC; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Space Segment Launch Delivery Engineer in Chantilly, VA to support a mission‑driven satellite program in a fast‑paced acquisition environment. The role emphasizes engineering leadership across mechanical, electrical, and software aspects to ensure vehicle health and mission success.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in satellite systems engineering, major government acquisition programs, and the ability to manage complex technical details under tight

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and fourteen+ years of experience or Master’s with twelve+ years or PhD/JD with nine+ years experience.
• Strong satellite systems engineering background.
• Major government acquisition program experience.
• Experience across mass properties, mechanical design, optical‑mechanical systems, environmental testing, propulsion, mechanisms, or aerospace engineering.
• Experience with space systems concepts, mission threads, interfaces, and trade studies.
• Ability to manage extensive technical details and meet inflexible schedules.
• Knowledge of Systems Engineering processes and functions.

Responsibilities

• Provide Government with space vehicle and sub‑systems engineering input and recommended actions.
• Oversee system‑level acquisition, design, manufacture, integration and test for space vehicles and interfaces.
• Lead technical reviews and translate customer needs into engineering requirements.
• Develop written reports, risk assessments and presentations for the customer.
• Support verification, validation and test planning for space systems.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to resolve challenges and align team efforts.
• Assess contractor performance at milestone reviews for technical compliance and quality.
• Develop procedures and tools to test integrated vehicle assemblies and ensure vehicle health.

Skills

Satellite systems engineering

Systems engineering processes

Trade studies

Interpersonal leadership

Communication with senior decision‑mks

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Minimum Clearance Required TS.SCI

Job ID 2615770
Location Chantilly, VA, US
Date Posted 2026-08-18
Category Engineering and Sciences
Subcategory Aerospace Engr
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

Job 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.
SAIC is seeking self-directed leaders who skillfully navigate ambiguity, solve complex challenges, and bring diverse expertise to a dynamic environment focused on delivering capability rapidly. Success here requires adaptability, initiative, and a willingness to wear multiple hats in support of a high impact mission. Candidates experienced as USAF/USSF acquisition officers (AFSC 63A) or developmental engineers (AFSC 62E) leading satellite programs in the USSF (SSC), NRO, or SDA, applying the full range of the systems engineering discipline (e.g., Requirements Development, Architecture, SE milestones SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.), and/or DAWIA/PMI Program Management will be especially well-prepared to excel.
This position is for a Space Segment Lauch Delivery Engineer in Chantilly, VA supporting cutting-edge and innovative space programs. The Space Segment Launch Delivery Engineer will work daily on-site with the Government to provide advice and guidance on technical and programmatic aspects of a critical space system; ensuring every mechanical, electrical, and software component of the space vehicle functions safely and reliably to complete its intended mission.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide Government with space vehicle and sub-systems engineering support and recommended inputs and courses of action for technical and programmatic topics.


• Oversee multidisciplinary system level acquisition, design, manufacture, integration and test activities for space vehicles and vehicle interfaces to launch vehicle and ground.


• Provide technical leadership in identifying, mitigating, and solving applicable space vehicle and subsystem risks and issues.


• Generate and deliver written reports, risk assessments, recommendations, and presentations to the customer.


• Provide Government with recommended inputs and courses of action for technical and programmatic topics.


• Foster communication and alignment among team members to identify challenges and corresponding solutions.


• Evaluate prime contractor performance at milestone reviews ensuring compliance with technical requirements, and quality of deliverables.


• Support system development from initial requirements verification through mission design, prototype development, and test.


• Serve as the main technical point of contact, leading reviews, and translating customer needs into actionable engineering requirements.


• Participate in studies and system trades for enhanced capabilities.


• Support verification, validation, and test planning.


• Provide technical and programmatic assessments of contractor designs at major milestone reviews to assess progress, risks and issues, and the ability to achieve mission requirements.


• Provide technical support to Government customer activities and programmatic processes.


• Develop documents and briefings to communicate work or study status and brief Government and industry as required.


• Develop procedures and tools to test all integrated vehicle assemblies and verify vehicle health before it leaves to the pad.


• Ensure that individual assembly areas meet the requirements to execute checkouts seamlessly and with minimal overhead.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Typical Education and Experience Bachelors and fourteen (14) years or more experience; Masters and twelve (12) years or more experience; PhD or JD and nine (9) years or more experience.


• Strong satellite systems engineering background.


• Major government acquisition program experience.


• Extensive experience in one or more of the following areas mass properties, mechanical design and analysis, design for manufacturing, optical-mechanical systems, environmental testing, propulsion, mechanisms, guidance and controls, thermal engineering, structures, or aerospace engineering.


• Experience with space systems, including development of concept of operations, mission threads, and collaboration with stakeholders on interfaces; ability to conduct trade studies, define interfaces, and work with the developer to mature interface requirements.


• Ability to absorb extensive technical detail and logically formulate solutions for execution on an inflexible schedule, often requiring integration of conflicting and, at times, incomplete data.


• Knowledge and application of Systems Engineering processes and functions.


• Systems engineering and system integration experience.


• Experience with the Intelligence Community or the Department of Defense Satellite Program Office best practices.


• Experience with satellite system requirements development, design, manufacturing, and test.


• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team building and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to be effective in a government/contractor team environment.


• 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.


• Bachelor’s degree required/Master’s degree preferred.


• Previous SAP experience desired.

Target salary range $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.