What are the responsibilities and job description for the Systems Engineer Sr Principal position at SAIC?
Job ID 2612580
Location Chantilly, VA, US
Date Posted 2026-05-19
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
Position Description
The successful candidate will support technology transition and acquisition for next-generation national security space, air, and ground systems—advancing capabilities from applied research through program baseline insertion. This role requires a professional who can bridge technical and acquisition domains to ensure successful program execution in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment.
Roles and Responsibilities
Required Qualifications
Location Chantilly, VA, US
Date Posted 2026-05-19
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
Position Description
The successful candidate will support technology transition and acquisition for next-generation national security space, air, and ground systems—advancing capabilities from applied research through program baseline insertion. This role requires a professional who can bridge technical and acquisition domains to ensure successful program execution in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Provide analytical, engineering, technical, and administrative guidance to USG leadership in the execution of special communications capabilities
- Seek new, unique, and innovative data application concepts, engineering techniques, and technology applications through the 'interpretation and analysis of data and processes
- Serve as technical SME to respective users/developers by providing technical and scientific assistance as necessary to meet mission tasks objectives
- Advise on acquisition strategies, contracting approaches, and compliance regulations
- Prepare, review, and update acquisition documentation such as acquisition strategies, requests for information, statements of work, performance work statements, and source selection plans
- Display exceptional project management skills to fully integrate into current and future national and DOD systems
- Provide technical and programmatic inputs during source selections, contract modifications, and performance evaluations
- Monitor contract performance, track deliverables, and identify schedule, cost, and performance risks
- Recommend and implement solutions to ensure schedule, cost, and technical objectives are met
- Support milestone and readiness reviews by developing briefings; decision memoranda, and risk assessments
- Support milestone reviews, readiness assessments, and risk management activities by developing data driven analyses and briefing materials
- Coordinate with contracting officers, program control officers (finance), legal counsel, and technical stakeholders to resolve acquisition-related issues
- Collaborate with IC and DOD entities on joint development projects for issues encompassing both Titles 50 and 10
- Conduct liaison with IC and DOD partners to gather requirements and collaborate on technology developments
- Serve as liaison between financial, acquisition, and technical teams to ensure alignment of program objectives and resources
- Represent the program office in internal and external meetings, providing technical, acquisition, and financial updates and recommendations
- Contribute to meetings, working groups, and program reviews
Required Qualifications
- Active TS/SCI with Polygraph
- STEM/Technical Bachelors and fourteen (14) years or more experience; Masters degree and twelve (12) years or more experience;
- Understanding of SIGINT and GEOINT systems and technologies enabling special communications
- Knowledge of IC/DoD acquisition processes and contract lifecycle management
- Demonstrated technical program/project management and leadership experience, including organizational infrastructure and process development
- Proven ability to work effectively in fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Proficiency with MS Office applications
- Strong briefing, writing, and interpersonal skills
- Aptitude for on-site SETA work With USG stakeholders, self-motivated team player, flexible and adaptable in ever-changing situations
- 15 years with national space and ground systems and capabilities, especially SIGINT/GEOINT
- 10 years with DOD or commercial communications satellite operations
- Industry experience building electronic/photonics hardware for space/terrestrial environments
- Experience supporting SIGINT technology maturation programs
- Demonstrated ISR systems and associated data network experience
- Experience coordinating with IC and DOD R&D organizations
- Experience establishing and leading technical review processes (e.g., Technical Review Board, ERB) to assess program readiness and manage technical risks prior to government fund expenditure
- Experience developing and implementing strategic technology initiatives (e.g., Photonics, Quantum, Processing) and organizational implementation strategies
- Experience influencing and expanding strategic initiatives across multiple organizational offices
- Knowledge of RF engineering principles, wideband receiver architectures, digital signal processing, phased arrays, and RF systems testing
- Familiarity with USG data processors, systems, and tools for processing, displaying, and analyzing intelligence data
- Familiarity with IC and DOD acquisition, budget, and contracting processes
- Knowledge of program management tools
- Advanced proficiency with MS Excel application (Pivot tables and complex analysis)