Space Vehicle and Payload Engineer

Saic; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC in El Segundo, CA seeks a Space Vehicle and Payload Engineer to provide critical technical expertise to Government mission managers. The role spans planning, development, and execution for national security satellite operations within the System Engineering and Integration Team.

You will bridge program planning and active mission execution while guiding autonomous operations and sustainment of space assets.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering with at least 10 years of applicable experience.
• Experience managing multi-satellite constellation operations, logistics, or deployment schedules.
• Direct technical experience with optical, RF, or radar payloads and link budgets.
• Experience with space vehicle and payload sustainment and mission integration.
• Security clearance, SCI eligibility, and polygraph prerequisites.

Responsibilities

• Provide payload and space vehicle engineering support across lifecycle phases.
• Develop program plans for constellation deployment and readiness.
• Define and verify mission requirements for spacecraft capability.
• Deliver mission integration services for vehicle and payload operations.
• Prepare assessments and presentations for leadership reviews.
• Generate mission status reports for program updates.
• Review technical documentation for sustainment contracts.
• Support future operations of SDA satellite constellation.
• Manage Engineering Change Proposal processes with evaluations and impacts.
• Collaborate with contractors and government stakeholders on design changes.
• Perform risk assessments on hardware and software changes.

Skills

Space systems engineering

Payload integration

Mission operations

RF payloads

Optical payloads

Link budgets

Education

Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Job description

Description

SAIC is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Space Vehicle and Payload Engineer to provide critical technical expertise to Government mission managers. In this pivotal role, you will support all phases of planning, development, and execution for national security satellite operations. The position will be part of the System Engineering and Integration Team for a new space-based SDA acquisition for the USSF.

Your primary focus will be on the initial development, future operations, and logistics of an advanced constellation of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) satellites dedicated to the space-based surveillance and reconnaissance mission. As a key technical advisor, you will bridge the gap between initial program planning and active mission execution, ensuring the seamless operation and long‑term sustainment of critical space assets. In addition, this position will champion the integration of autonomous operations, while assisting with overseeing multiple payload development for optical systems and satellite communications alongside the government customer. Working in our El Segundo, CA office.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive payload and space vehicle engineering support to Government mission managers across all lifecycle phases—from initial concept development through active flight operations and logistics.
• Develop, maintain, and execute detailed program plans to guide constellation deployment and operational readiness.
• Define, identify, monitor, and verify mission‑unique requirements to align spacecraft capability with evolving mission objectives.
• Provide critical mission integration services to Government Mission Manager for space vehicle and payload operations, logistics and sustainment and launch.
• Develop and review technical assessments and presentations for senior leadership reviews.
• Generate mission status reports and presentations for Weekly Staff Meeting, Executive Program Reviews, and mission status briefings for space domain awareness programs.
• Review and provides technical evaluations to key mission contractual documentation for sustainment contracts.
• Support the development and future operations of a sophisticated SDA satellite constellation designed for space-based surveillance and reconnaissance.
• Manage the Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) process, including formulating clear change definitions, conducting exhaustive technical evaluations, and assessing operational impacts.
• Collaborate with contractors and government stakeholders to review design modifications, ensuring payload compatibility and system integrity.
• Perform risk assessments on proposed hardware and software changes, presenting actionable findings to program leadership.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or Engineering specialty with at least ten (10) years of applicable experience.
• Hands‑on experience managing multi‑satellite constellation operations, logistics, or phased deployment schedules.
• Direct technical experience with optical, RF, or radar payloads.
• Experience with communication payloads and link budgets.
• Experience developing long‑term vehicle sustainment plans, orbital maneuvers, or end‑of‑life disposal strategies.
• Must have an in-scope security background investigation (T5), adjudicated for SCI eligibility and rolled in the Continuous Vetting program (if applicable).
• Must be willing to be nominated for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information and Special Access Programs and consent to a polygraph examination (as required).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or Systems Engineering.
• Hands‑on experience managing multi‑satellite constellation operations, logistics, or phased deployment schedules.
• Direct technical experience with optical, RF, or radar payloads. Experience with communication payloads and link budgets.
• Experience developing long‑term vehicle sustainment plans, orbital maneuvers, or end‑of‑life disposal strategies.

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