What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal RF Payload Engineer position at SAIC?
Job ID 2614440
Location Chantilly, VA, US
Date Posted 2026-07-10
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
The RF Payload Engineer will support advanced space systems with a focus on RF payload development, integration, and production testing. This role contributes to the development, verification, and sustainment of RF payload hardware for space-based intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and communications missions.
Key Responsibilities
Location Chantilly, VA, US
Date Posted 2026-07-10
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
The RF Payload Engineer will support advanced space systems with a focus on RF payload development, integration, and production testing. This role contributes to the development, verification, and sustainment of RF payload hardware for space-based intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and communications missions.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and execute RF payload development including architecture definition, component selection, and subsystem integration.
- Develop and implement production-level RF payload testing including functional, performance, and environmental test plans.
- Perform RF link analysis, payload signal chain validation, and troubleshooting at system and component levels.
- Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams on payload interfaces and mission requirements.
- Support hardware manufacturing readiness, test procedure development, and flight certification processes.
- Generate engineering documentation, test reports, technical briefings, and configuration-controlled artifacts.
- Participate in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and customer working groups.
- Provide technical insight during vendor management and risk assessments.
- Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience.
- 8–12 years of experience in RF payloads, RF systems, or radar payload development.
- Expertise in RF hardware design, payload architectures, and test methodologies.
- Experience with RF test equipment including VNAs, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators.
- Must have a TS/SCI, and be willing to obtain a poly.
Salary : $160,001 - $200,000