Systems Engineer Chief

SAIC•Chantilly, VA

About The Position

The Chief Systems Engineer leads technical strategy and solution development for AI demonstrations and production solutions, as well as shared software platform strategies across the intelligence community (IC) markets. This senior technical role combines customer engagement, solution architecture, and internal strategy. The role owns the technical go-to-market strategy for Intelligence AI software solutions and works with business development, program leadership, engineering teams, and customer stakeholders to shape solutions before and during capture. It provides architectural frameworks for shared software platforms, data integration frameworks and libraries, and multi-tenant environments across cloud and hybrid cloud infrastructures. The Chief Systems Engineer serves as a primary technical voice with customers and a key partner in internal strategic decisions that shape the company’s positioning and growth in these markets. The role requires deep systems engineering and software architecture experience, especially in the intelligence community, including experience supporting NRO, NGA, or adjacent IC customers. The successful candidate has a strong background in cloud and hybrid cloud solution design, multi-tenant architecture, enterprise-scale data integration, and preferably AI and machine learning platforms in operational or demonstration contexts. The role operates with substantial autonomy, requiring long-range technical planning, issue resolution across development and implementation, recommendations on capability investment, and direct contributions to business development and winning new business. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science, systems engineering, or a related technical field, and an active TS/SCI clearance with willingness to support additional accesses as needed. An advanced degree and relevant cloud architecture, AI, or systems engineering certifications are preferred; demonstrated experience may substitute for certifications.

Requirements

Minimum of 15 years of experience in systems engineering, software architecture, or a related technical discipline.
Minimum of 5 years of experience supporting intelligence community customers.
Demonstrated experience leading technical strategy and solution architecture for enterprise software platforms in a government contracting environment.
Experience supporting capture or business development, including contributing to technical proposals and go-to-market strategies.
Experience designing and implementing cloud and hybrid cloud solutions, including multi-tenant architectures and enterprise-scale data integration frameworks.
Strong understanding of cloud platforms and services, including AWS, Azure, or equivalent IC cloud environments.
Strong background in data integration, data pipeline architecture, and software library development.
Familiarity with DevSecOps practices and modern software delivery frameworks.
Understanding of IC data standards, architectures, and mission systems relevant to NRO and NGA operations.
Experience with containerization, microservices, and platform engineering concepts.
Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences, including senior government customers and executive leadership.
Ability to build credibility and trusted relationships with senior customer stakeholders.
Ability to operate independently and drive decisions with limited oversight.
Experience mentoring and providing technical direction to engineering teams.
Strong collaboration skills across business development, program management, and engineering functions.
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, systems engineering, or a related technical field.
Active TS/SCI clearance and willingness to support additional accesses as needed.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience supporting NRO, NGA, or adjacent IC customers is strongly preferred.
Experience with AI and machine learning platforms in an operational or demonstration context is preferred.
An advanced degree is preferred.
Relevant certifications in cloud architecture, AI, or systems engineering are a plus; demonstrated experience in lieu of certifications is most desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of technical go-to-market strategies for AI software solutions targeting IC customers.
Define architectural strategies for shared software platforms, data integration libraries, and multi-tenant cloud and hybrid cloud environments.
Engage directly with customer stakeholders to understand mission requirements and translate them into viable technical solutions.
Partner with business development and program leadership to shape technical approaches during capture and proposal development.
Contribute to and review technical proposals, white papers, and solution briefs for accuracy, credibility, and differentiation.
Identify emerging technologies and assess their applicability to target markets and customer missions.
Serve as the primary technical spokesperson in customer meetings, industry events, and internal strategy discussions.
Drive alignment across engineering, program management, and business development teams on technical direction and solution priorities.
Support pipeline development by identifying opportunities where software and AI capabilities can address customer needs.
Establish and communicate technical standards and best practices for AI solution development and deployment across the portfolio.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to engineering staff across programs and pursuits.
Collaborate with partners and vendors to evaluate and integrate complementary capabilities into solution offerings.
Advise senior leadership on long-range technical strategy, investment priorities, and capability development.
Track and assess competitor technical approaches and market trends to inform positioning and solution development.
Work independently to identify and resolve issues across development and implementation, drive long-range technical planning, and recommend capability investments.