Space Vehicle Systems Engineer

Job ID: 2618266

Location: Chantilly, VA, US

Date Posted: 2026-10-21

Category: Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory: Systems Engineer

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes - 10% 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 is seeking an experienced Space Vehicle Systems Engineer with technical and practical understanding of space systems and phenomenology to support a Major System Acquisition development in support of resiliency spanning a diverse set of global threats. The Space Vehicle Systems Engineer should have experience in the design, development, and testing of satellite vehicles. The Space Vehicle Systems Engineer should understand both technical and programmatic aspects of complex satellite systems, including operational concepts, applied technology, and system architectures, to facilitate the demonstration and transition of novel resilient capabilities to operations. The Space Vehicle Systems Engineer should be comfortable working amongst a diverse and energetic team in the pursuit of mission objectives and project success.

The Space Vehicle Systems Engineer will provide Systems Engineering and Acquisition support with an emphasis on software-intensive systems, interfaces, and system integration across the spacecraft lifecycle. The ideal candidate will have proven success managing complex programs within the DoD or Intelligence Community (IC), ensuring timely delivery of space-based capabilities to support strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide proactive, day-to-day systems engineering support to Government customers within an integrated program office environment.
• Support full lifecycle acquisition and systems engineering activities, from pre-acquisition and requirements definition through launch and on-orbit checkout.
• Lead and support software and interface-focused systems engineering efforts, including definition, documentation, and coordination of system, subsystem, and external interfaces.
• Collaborate closely with contractor systems engineers and integration teams to resolve interface issues and manage technical risks.
• Author, review, and coordinate technical documentation, interface control documents (ICDs), requirements artifacts, briefings, and decision support materials.
• Participate in and represent the Government at contractor reviews, technical interchange meetings (TIMs), and program reviews, providing technical assessments and integration risk recommendations.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute systems engineering forums, working groups, and interface coordination meetings across the Customer office and broader Enterprise.
• Interface with multiple organizations across Enterprise to support cross-program software integration, systems interoperability, and enterprise-level events and reviews.
• Evaluate contract deliverables, collaborate with industry partners and internal stakeholders based upon findings, and provide thorough recommendations to government customers.
• Maintain program documentation and reporting in compliance with federal acquisition standards and security protocols.
  
  

Qualifications

TYPICAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience.

• Must possess an active TS/SCI clearance with Counter-Intelligence polygraph (polygraph within the last 10 years).
• Experience with the Intelligence Community and/or the Department of War architecture, spacecraft, and payloads.
• MS in engineering, scientific, technology and mathematics (STEM) discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of space vehicle development experience.
• Strong background in systems engineering, system interfaces, and integration.
• Experience supporting or working within Government acquisition or program offices.
• Effective interpersonal skills (across multiple groups, offices, and organizations) and strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Ability to manage technical tasks, priorities, coordinate efforts, and communicate technical subjects to a diverse audience of senior decision makers with varying levels of technical expertise.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic, and team environment.
• Experienced with Microsoft Office for technical document development.
• Willingness to travel domestically, as required.
  
  

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