Job DescriptionDescription SAIC is seeking a highly skilled and experienced
Chief Engineer for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I), and Counter-Unmanned Systems (C-UXS) to lead the technical development, integration, and operational deployment of advanced multi-domain capabilities. The Chief Engineer will serve as the primary technical authority for a portfolio of ISR, C3I, and C-UXS programs, providing visionary leadership across the full system lifecycle from concept development through fielding and sustainment. This role requires a strategic thinker with extensive expertise in systems engineering, program management, and technology innovation to ensure the delivery of high-quality, operationally effective solutions that address the full spectrum of unmanned and asymmetric threats while enhancing command, control, and intelligence capabilities for our government and defense customers.
Key Responsibilities: Technical Leadership
- Provide strategic direction and technical leadership for the development, integration, and deployment of ISR, C3I, and C-UXS systems across multiple programs and platforms
- Serve as the primary technical authority for all engineering activities related to ISR sensor systems, C3I architectures, and counter-unmanned aircraft, ground, and surface vehicle (C-UAS, C-UGV, C-USV) technologies
- Oversee the design, integration, testing, and validation of multi-domain ISR collection capabilities, C3I communication and data link architectures, and C-UXS detection, tracking, identification, and defeat systems
- Lead cross-functional engineering teams across hardware, software, systems, and integration disciplines to ensure cohesive and efficient execution of ISR, C3I, and C-UXS program objectives
- Provide technical oversight of system architecture decisions, trade studies, and engineering design reviews including System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), and Critical Design Reviews (CDR)
- Ensure technical solutions align with government customer requirements, operational concepts, and mission needs across ISR, C3I, and C-UXS domains
Program & Project Management
- Manage multiple concurrent ISR, C3I, and C-UXS projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget
- Develop and maintain comprehensive program plans, integrated master schedules (IMS), work breakdown structures (WBS), and budgets across the C-UXS and ISR portfolio
- Communicate program status, technical risks, and mitigation strategies to senior SAIC leadership, government program offices, and key stakeholders
- Identify and manage technical risks associated with ISR sensor integration, C3I interoperability, and C-UXS defeat mechanism effectiveness
- Support proposal development, cost estimation, and technical volume preparation for new ISR, C3I, and C-UXS business opportunities
Systems Engineering
- Ensure that all ISR, C3I, and C-UXS systems meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, interoperability, and safety in accordance with government requirements and applicable standards
- Lead the development and implementation of systems engineering processes and best practices consistent with DoD acquisition frameworks and applicable standards including MIL-STD, IEEE, and EIA-632
- Oversee the creation and management of comprehensive technical documentation including system requirements specifications, interface control documents (ICDs), design specifications, test and evaluation plans, and system safety analyses
- Ensure ISR systems deliver required collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination (CPED) capabilities across multi-domain environments
- Ensure C3I architectures support seamless command and control, secure communications, and real-time intelligence fusion across joint and coalition networks
- Ensure C-UXS systems provide integrated and layered detection, tracking, identification, and kinetic or non-kinetic defeat capabilities against the full spectrum of unmanned threats including UAS, UGV, and USV
Innovation & Research and Development
- Drive innovation in ISR, C3I, and C-UXS technologies through targeted research and development initiatives aligned with emerging threat environments and government capability gaps
- Stay current with the latest advancements in unmanned systems, counter-unmanned technologies, ISR sensor modalities, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) applications, and C3I communication architectures
- Identify and evaluate emerging technologies with potential application to ISR collection enhancement, C3I network modernization, and C-UXS defeat effectiveness
- Foster a culture of innovation, intellectual curiosity, and continuous improvement within the ISR, C3I, and C-UXS engineering teams
- Lead and support independent research and development (IR&D) activities to advance SAIC's technical capabilities in the ISR, C3I, and C-UXS domains
- Engage with academic institutions, industry partners, and government research organizations to identify collaborative opportunities and technology transition pathways
Collaboration & Stakeholder Communication
- Serve as the primary contractor technical point of contact for all ISR, C3I, and C-UXS programs, interfacing directly with government program offices, test agencies, and operational end users
- Collaborate with government agencies, combatant commands, and defense customers to understand evolving ISR collection requirements, C3I interoperability needs, and C-UXS operational challenges
- Facilitate effective communication and technical collaboration among engineering teams, program managers, contracts personnel, and other internal and external stakeholders
- Represent SAIC at government program reviews, technical interchange meetings (TIMs), industry conferences, and working groups focused on ISR, C3I, and C-UXS capabilities
- Coordinate with government test and evaluation organizations to support developmental and operational testing of ISR, C3I, and C-UXS systems
- Build and maintain strong relationships with government customers, subcontractors, and technology partners across the ISR, C3I, and C-UXS ecosystem
Qualifications Minimum Requirements and Education:- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field; advanced degree strongly preferred
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in systems engineering, with at least 5 years in a technical leadership or chief engineer role
- Extensive hands-on experience with C-UXS technologies, including multi-sensor detection, tracking, identification, and kinetic and non-kinetic defeat of unmanned aerial, ground, and surface systems
- Demonstrated experience with ISR systems, including sensor integration, multi-INT data fusion, and CPED architectures across airborne, ground, and maritime platforms
- Proven knowledge of C3I architectures, including secure communications, data links, network-centric operations, and intelligence fusion systems
- Proven track record of managing complex, multi-disciplinary engineering programs from concept development through operational deployment
- Strong understanding of DoD systems engineering principles, acquisition processes, and applicable technical standards
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills with demonstrated ability to interface effectively with senior government officials
- Ability to think strategically, drive technical innovation, and translate operational requirements into engineering solutions
Proficiency in program management tools, techniques, and integrated master scheduling - Active Secret Clearance or ability to obtain and maintain required clearance
Preferred Qualifications:- Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- Extensive experience working directly with DoD, intelligence community, or other government and defense agencies on ISR, C3I, or C-UXS programs
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements, standards, and policies governing unmanned systems, counter-unmanned systems, and ISR operations including applicable FAA, DoD, and NATO frameworks
- Familiarity with AI/ML applications for autonomous threat detection, ISR data exploitation, and C-UXS decision support
- Experience with electronic warfare (EW) techniques and technologies as applied to C-UXS defeat mechanisms
- Knowledge of RF spectrum management, signal intelligence (SIGINT), and electronic intelligence (ELINT) systems relevant to ISR and C-UXS operations
- Experience with Agile, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), or DevSecOps development methodologies applied to defense systems
- Certification in Project Management (PMP) or Systems Engineering (INCOSE CSEP/ESEP) or equivalent
- Familiarity with DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF) and its application to C3I and ISR system design
- Experience supporting test and evaluation activities including developmental test (DT) and operational test (OT) for ISR, C3I, or C-UXS systems
Overview SAIC accepts applications on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.
