Focal Plane Engineer

SAIC•Chantilly, VA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

SAIC is seeking a Focal Plane Engineer with space-domain experience in Chantilly, Virginia, to support a dynamic space program office. The position provides technical support, coaching, and mentoring to Government points of contact (GPOCs) involved in capability development across geographically distributed contractor facilities, and coordinates related work such as major program reviews. The engineer directly supports the GPOC overseeing focal-plane design and implementation. The role requires knowledge of intelligence processes and plans, strong communication and collaboration skills, the ability to create unique work products, and a strategically proactive approach. An active Top Secret/SCI clearance with polygraph is required. The engineer designs, manufactures, calibrates, integrates, characterizes, and supports the operational use of focal planes, focal-plane assemblies, and electronics for electro-optical payloads. The work includes evaluating detector technologies and architectures, applying expertise in the visible and near-infrared domain, collaborating with optics and systems engineers, and supporting detector packaging, electrical interconnects, and thermal control systems. Focal-plane systems are supported through development, integration, testing, factory and laboratory characterization, and mission operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, or a related field and 14 years of experience, or a master’s degree and 12 years of experience.
Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph, held within the last two years.
Familiarity with DoW/IC programs and SOW compliance.
Strong organizational and communication skills in high-pressure environments.
Experience reviewing installation and test procedures, monitoring execution, identifying risks, resolving discrepancies, and providing on-site support.
Ability to travel up to 25% in a given month, averaging 10% per year.

Nice To Haves

INCOSE ESEP or CSEP certification.
Experience using systems engineering processes, methods, tools, and program roles to develop, implement, and deploy solutions for satellite systems.
Experience reviewing implementation plans and related documents.
Thorough understanding of space-systems design, integration, and test requirements and execution, including test-equipment support.

Responsibilities

Design, manufacture, and calibrate focal planes, focal-plane assemblies, and focal-plane electronics for electro-optical payloads.
Evaluate detector technologies, array architectures, pixel configurations, and readout integrated circuits to meet system performance requirements.
Apply specialized knowledge of the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) domain to support electro-optical sensor and instrument development.
Lead the design and integration of focal-plane assemblies and focal-plane electronics with electro-optical sensors and instruments.
Collaborate with optics and systems engineers to optimize detector performance within the overall imaging system.
Support the development and troubleshooting of detector packaging, electrical interconnects, and thermal control systems.
Perform focal-plane characterization and calibration in factory and laboratory environments, as well as during mission operations.
Support the development, integration, testing, and operational use of electro-optical payload focal-plane systems.
Provide technical support, coaching, and mentoring to Government points of contact overseeing capability development.
Coordinate related work, including major program reviews.
Review installation and test procedures, monitor execution, identify risks, resolve discrepancies, and provide on-site support.