SAIC is looking for a Spacecraft Operations and Systems Integration Engineer with Space Domain Operations experience in Chantilly, VA to support a very dynamic and innovative space program office in Chantilly, VA. The Spacecraft Operations and Systems Integration Engineer supports the operational readiness, integration, sustainment, and performance of space-based systems throughout their lifecycle. This position serves as a critical interface between spacecraft operations teams, system developers, and factory engineering organizations to ensure capabilities are successfully integrated into operations and mission objectives are achieved.

The successful candidate will support anomaly management, operational integration activities, system performance monitoring, and mission readiness initiatives. This engineer will leverage operational data to develop performance metrics, create actionable dashboards, and identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness. The role requires strong technical acumen, collaboration skills, and the ability to challenge conventional approaches to deliver innovative solutions that advance mission success.
Key Responsibilities
• Support spacecraft operations and system integration activities to ensure mission capabilities are effectively transitioned from development into operational environments.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance algorithms, performance metrics, and operational dashboards that provide actionable insights into system health, mission performance, and operational readiness.
• Monitor, track, and manage anomaly and outage escalation processes, ensuring timely coordination, resolution, and communication among stakeholders.
• Provide technical support for spacecraft anomalies, operational investigations, root cause analysis efforts, and corrective action implementation.
• Coordinate factory testing, system verification activities, and capability demonstrations to support operational acceptance and deployment.
• Facilitate integration of new capabilities, software updates, and system enhancements into operational environments while minimizing mission risk.
• Develop and maintain weekly operational metrics, performance assessments, trend analyses, and executive-level reporting products.
• Lead working groups to coordinate technical discussions, resolve operational challenges, and drive integration activities across organizations.
• Participate in on-call rotations and provide operational support during critical mission events, anomalies, and outages.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with operators and engineering teams.
• Serve as a liaison between operational organizations and factory engineering teams to ensure effective communication, issue resolution, and capability transition.
• Identify process improvements, automation opportunities, and innovative approaches that enhance operational performance, mission resiliency, and engineering efficiency.
• Challenge existing processes and technical assumptions to develop creative solutions that improve mission outcomes and accelerate operational effectiveness.
• Support operational readiness reviews, mission planning activities, risk assessments, and system integration efforts.

Qualifications

Required:
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 9+ years of experience supporting spacecraft operations, systems integration, mission operations, satellite systems, or related aerospace and defense programs.
• Experience supporting operational environments involving spacecraft systems, ground systems, mission planning systems, or command-and-control architectures.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing operational data and developing metrics, dashboards, or performance reporting tools.
• Experience supporting anomaly management, outage response, troubleshooting, and technical investigations.
• Knowledge of systems engineering principles, integration and test processes, and operational readiness activities.
• Ability to effectively coordinate across engineering, operations, and development organizations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience facilitating technical discussions and working groups.
• Willingness to participate in on-call operational support rotations.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph; eligibility for required program access.

Desired:
• Familiarity with spacecraft telemetry, command and control systems, mission planning systems, and operational ground architectures.
• Experience developing data analytics solutions, operational dashboards, or automated reporting capabilities.
• Knowledge of anomaly resolution processes, mission assurance principles, and operational risk management.
• Experience coordinating factory acceptance testing, system verification activities, and operational capability transitions.
• Experience leading technical working groups or cross-functional engineering teams.