Space Systems Engineer

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

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Space Systems Engineer to provide onsite SETA services in support of an SAIC Prime Program at the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, VA. You will coordinate across engineering divisions for satellite system development and acquisitions in a government/contractor team.

You will support a System Program Office in planning, execution, monitoring and oversight, with opportunities to expand knowledge in a fast-paced, team-based environment. A TS/SCI with Poly is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelors with 9+ years of experience; Masters 7+ years; PhD/JD 4+ years.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with Poly.
• Experience in systems integration and systems engineering.
• Experience with space radar payload design, development, manufacturing, and testing.
• Experience with radar system design, operations, and data processing.
• Strong communication, coordination and customer engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of system level requirements and design features.
• Develop briefs and documents communicating work status to government and industry.
• Support full lifecycle engineering reviews to verify specifications and requirements.
• Review Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) deliverables for technical accuracy.
• Participate in technical interchange meetings between developers and contractors.
• Evaluate vendor proposals, review technical reports and program plans.
• Oversee configuration management of program documentation.
• Serve as a system engineering liaison to other divisions in the SPO.

Skills

Space systems engineering

Systems integration

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Team building

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD/JD

Job description

Job ID 2617234

Location Chantilly, VA, US

Date Posted 2026-09-24

Category Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory Systems Engineer

Schedule Full-Time

Shift Day Job

Travel Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required TS.SCI_wPoly

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain None

Potential for Remote Work ORA_ON_SITE

SAIC is seeking a Space Systems Engineer to provide onsite systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) services in support of an SAIC Prime Program at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in Chantilly, VA.

As a Space Systems Engineer, you will coordinate across other engineering divisions in support of the acquisition of systems that advance the NRO’s space resiliency posture. You will support a System Program Office (SPO) in a technical capacity for planning, execution, monitoring, and oversight of satellite system development and acquisitions in a government/contractor team environment providing opportunities for energetic individuals with a strong desire to expand their knowledge.

Job Responsibilities to include

• Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of system level requirements for assigned systems and the design features that satisfy these requirements.
• Develop documents and briefings to communicate work status; briefs to government and industry as required.
• Support full lifecycle engineering reviews to demonstrate the design meets all specifications and customer requirements.
• Review Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) deliverables to ensure content, technical accuracy, and sufficiency of design details to meet program requirements and objectives.
• Participate in technical interchange meetings between developers and contractors.
• Evaluate vendor proposals and review technical reports, design artifacts, and program plans.
• Oversee the configuration management of program documentation.
• Serve as a system engineering liaison to other divisions in the SPO.

Qualifications

• Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with Poly
• Experience in systems integration and systems engineering.
• Experience using systems engineering processes, methods, and tools to develop, implement, and deploy solutions for satellite systems.
• Experience with space radar payload design, development, manufacturing, and testing.
• Experience with radar system design, operations, and data processing.
• Notable experience with large systems acquisition.
• Effective communication, coordination, and customer engagement skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team building and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated.
• Ability to be effective in a government/contractor team environment.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic, and team environment.
• Self-motivated professional capable of executing tasks with minimal guidance.

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