Space Vehicle Engineer

SAIC; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Space Vehicle Engineer in Chantilly, VA to support cutting-edge space programs. On-site collaboration with Government enables you to guide technical and programmatic aspects of a critical space system, ensuring mission success.

You will lead reviews, translate requirements into actionable tasks, and provide cross-disciplinary engineering leadership across design, integration, and test to deliver capabilities on schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field with 5+ years experience; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience leading satellite programs in DoD or IC environment.
• Strong systems engineering background across requirements, architecture, verification.

Responsibilities

• Provide space vehicle and subsystems engineering guidance to Government and contractor teams.
• Oversee system-level acquisition, design, manufacture, integration and test activities.
• Lead technical reviews and translate customer needs into actionable engineering requirements.
• Develop documentation and brief stakeholders on status, risks, and mitigations.

Skills

Systems Eng

Satellite Systems

Trade Studies

Leadership

Interface Requirements

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

DOORS

Modeling Tools

Job description

Minimum Clearance Required TS.SCI

Job ID 2616158

Location Chantilly, VA, US

Date Posted 2026-08-27

Category Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory Systems Engineer

Schedule Full-Time

Shift Day Job

Travel Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required TS.SCI

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain TS/SCI with Poly

Potential for Remote Work ORA_ON_SITE

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.

Job Description

This position is for a Space Vehicle Engineer in Chantilly, VA supporting cutting-edge and innovative space programs. The Space Vehicle 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 the space vehicle can safely 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelors and five (5) years or more experience; Masters and three (3) 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.
• Active TS/SCI required with ability to obtain CI poly.
• Previous SAP experience Preferred.
• Bachelor's degree required/Master's degree Preferred.

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