Space Systems Operations Engineer

Job ID: 2611180

Location: Chantilly, VA, US

Date Posted: 2026-04-08

Category: Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory: Systems Engineer

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes - 25% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI_wPoly

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None

Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE

Description

• SAIC's Space and Intelligence Business Group is currently hiring a Space Systems Operations Engineer to advance space capabilities supporting our Department of Defense (DOD) and Intelligence Community customers. Ten miles from the SAIC headquarters, our Chantilly VA team supports systems development, targeting & intelligence analysis, systems engineering & integration and more.
  
  

This position is for a Space System Operations Engineer for a large contract supporting a cutting-edge and innovative space program. The Satellite Operations Engineer provides Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory (SETA) services focused on operations of space vehicles and subsystems. This position provides support to the customer's execution of the Program with responsibilities that may include, but are not limited to the following:

Role Responsibilities:

• Support the customer in monitoring operations and maintaining daily status and trending of operational systems.
• Provide expert advice concerning operations and anomaly resolution.
• Develops innovative ways to utilize system architecture.
• Oversee integration of vehicle and subsystem functions and capabilities of delivered systems; provide analysis of schedules, capabilities, and operational needs.
• Assist in planning and oversight of the government's system engineering efforts.
• Review documentation, represent government as required in forums that support streamlined delivery of new capabilities and standardization of integration efforts.
• Strategically review developer's system designs throughout all phases, including conceptual, preliminary, and detailed designs.
• Liaise daily and as necessary with program office management.
• Understand operational capabilities, limitations, and operating modes of system and associated subsystems.
• Review system, subsystem, unit and as-built specifications, and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Track future development and ongoing activities at the factory.
• Attend developer reviews, pre-tests, pre-ship, and other meetings as required.
  
  

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Must possess an active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• BS or MS degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), or relevant field 9 years' w/Bachelors; 7 with Masters, or 4 years with a PhD.
• Expert at defining solutions for broad, abstract topics, succinctly capturing issues for the customer and providing analysis and recommendations.
• Ability to work independently and with a team; operate effectively with contractor, SETA, FFRDC, and government teammates.
• Polished communicator (written/verbal) with impeccable interpersonal skills and personal judgement.
• Master at collaboration and coordination with multiple stakeholders, and consensus building.
• Ability to anticipate and proactively address customer requirements with little to no supervision; ability to manage multiple tasks and deliverables.
• Knowledge of orbital mechanics and utility of different orbits.
• Experience working on a government or commercial satellite program.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic, and team environment with no supervision.
  
  

Desired Qualifications:

• Aptitude to quickly acquire new skills and knowledge outside of current expertise.
• Willingness to communicate assessments of complex issues.
• Knowledge of orbital mechanics, utility and drawbacks of different orbits.
• Experience as a spacecraft or ground systems operator.
  
  

SAIC is a premier technology integrator providing full life cycle services and solutions in the technical, engineering, intelligence, and enterprise information technology markets. SAIC is Redefining Ingenuity through its deep customer and domain knowledge to enable the delivery of systems engineering and integration offerings for large, complex projects. SAIC's approximately 15,000 employees are driven by integrity and mission focus to serve customers in the U.S. federal government. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $4.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see .