SAIC

Payload Systems Engineer

SAIC$100K — $140K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree with 14+ years of experience; Master's with 12+; or PhD/JD with 9+ years.
  • Active TS/SCI with current Polygraph clearance.
  • Experience in satellite and payload system requirement development and testing.
  • Demonstrated support for various satellite design reviews and milestone evaluations.
  • Proven track record in the acquisition of multiple payload systems.
  • Ability to develop key contractual documents for acquisitions.
  • Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills in a government/contractor environment.

Responsibilities

  • Advise the Payload Division Chief on payload development and acquisition.
  • Support planning and oversight of EO and SAR payload systems.
  • Assist in developing CONOPS and operational approaches for payload systems.
  • Help draft requirement documents and statements of work for procurement.
  • Oversee acquisition processes for mission alignment and success.
  • Conduct technical evaluations during contractor selection.
  • Provide assessments of contractor designs at milestone reviews.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge satellite technologies.
  • Engage in high-level technical and programmatic advisory roles.
  • Work collaboratively with government and industry stakeholders.
  • Access to continuous learning and professional development.
  • Engagement in a mission-focused environment at the National Reconnaissance Office.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Description

SAIC is seeking a Payload 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 the Payload Systems Engineer, you will play a critical role in the development, acquisition, and execution of multiple satellite payload systems-both on-orbit and in development. You will support the Payload Division SETA team in advising the government on technical, programmatic, and acquisition activities across EO and SAR payload portfolios. This role requires familiarity with NRO mission structures, acquisition processes, and satellite system lifecycles.

Job Responsibilities to include:
  • Advise the PROSPO Payload Division Chief on all aspects of payload development and acquisition.
  • Support the SPO in planning, execution, monitoring, and oversight of multiple EO and SAR payload systems in development and acquisition.
  • Assist the Government in developing CONOPS and employment approaches for EO and SAR systems.
  • Assist the Government in developing requirement documents, statements of work (SOWs), and other contract documents during program acquisition and contract action preparation.
  • Provide oversight of acquisitions to ensure end-to-end system closure and satisfaction of mission need.
  • Draft technical evaluations and serve as a technical advisor during source selections.
  • Provide technical and programmatic assessments of contractor designs at major milestone reviews to evaluate progress, risks, issues, and ability to meet mission requirements.
  • Participate in program reviews and technical interchange meetings between developers and the COTR.
  • Review CDRL deliverables for technical accuracy, completeness, and sufficiency to meet program objectives.
  • Provide technical support to Government customer activities and programmatic processes.
  • Develop documents and briefings to communicate study results, technical findings, and program status to Government and industry stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree and fourteen (14) or more years of relevant experience; Master's degree and twelve (12) or more years; PhD or JD and nine (9) or more years.
  • Active TS/SCI with current Polygraph.
  • Experience with satellite and/or satellite payload system requirement development, design, manufacturing, and test.
  • Demonstrated experience supporting satellite and/or payload design reviews, including SRR, SDR, PDR, CDR, TRR, MRR, PSR, and related milestone reviews.
  • Experience supporting the acquisition of multiple payload systems.
  • Experience developing requirement documents, statements of work, and other contract documents for major acquisition programs.
  • Proven ability to assess contractor designs, identify risks, and evaluate technical performance against mission requirements.
  • Strong interpersonal, leadership, team-building, and problem-solving skills with demonstrated effectiveness in a government/contractor environment.
  • Working knowledge of the NRO organization, major acquisition processes, and satellite systems.

Overview

SAIC accepts applications on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.

About SAIC

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is a technology integrator in the technical, engineering, intelligence, and enterprise information technology markets. SAIC has approximately 26,000 employees and operates in more than 70 countries. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia. SAIC provides services to the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense, the intelligence community, and civilian agencies. The company also serves commercial customers in the healthcare, energy, and financial services sectors.
Learn more about SAIC
Size
26,000 employees
Market Cap
$6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$206 million
Founded
1969
5 Year Trend
+10.7%
Revenue
$6.8 billion
NASDAQ

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