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
?Position Summary:
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.
Qualifications
? 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.
Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.
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
?Position Summary:
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.
Qualifications
? 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.
Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.
Salary : $160,001 - $200,000