Ground Architecture Engineer

SAIC • Chantilly, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

SAIC is seeking a Ground Architecture Engineer to provide onsite systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) support to an SAIC prime program at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in Chantilly, Virginia. The role focuses on planning, acquiring, and implementing mission ground architecture capabilities that enable next-generation space systems. The engineer will work with government stakeholders, contractors, and mission partners to ensure ground systems and services align with NRO mission needs, technical requirements, and program objectives in a complex, multi-organization environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline and 9 or more years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree and 7 or more years of relevant experience; or a PhD/JD and 4 or more years of relevant experience.
• In lieu of a degree, an additional 4 years of directly related systems engineering or mission ground architecture experience may be considered.
• Experience with NRO satellite systems and/or National Security Space programs.
• Knowledge of mission ground architecture, system integration, and capability development processes, such as requirements analysis and design, verification, and validation.
• Experience supporting acquisition, implementation, and technical coordination in a government or SETA environment.
• Ability to maintain requirements traceability and alignment between mission needs, technical baselines, and delivered solutions.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and coordinate across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 25% of the time.
• Current and active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.
• Ability to maintain eligibility for access to NRO and other customer facilities and systems as required.

Nice To Haves

• Prior SETA or FFRDC experience supporting the NRO or other Intelligence Community space programs.
• Experience with enterprise ground systems, mission management, data processing, and/or ground system modernization initiatives.
• Familiarity with systems engineering frameworks such as INCOSE processes, requirements management tools, and model-based systems engineering (MBSE) concepts.
• Experience reviewing and assessing CDRLs, technical proposals, and contractor deliverables for compliance and technical rigor.
• Background in architecting or assessing end-to-end space-to-ground mission solutions, including interfaces and interoperability across multiple organizations.

Responsibilities

• Support the planning, development, and enhancement of enterprise mission ground architecture capabilities, including system integration and capability improvements.
• Coordinate with government stakeholders, contractors, and mission partners to align technical efforts with operational needs, program priorities, and enterprise ground strategies.
• Translate capability needs into requirements, acquisition inputs, technical baselines, and implementation plans, and maintain requirements traceability throughout the lifecycle.
• Support government-led activities from concept development through contracting, acquisition, design reviews, milestone reviews, and execution.
• Review Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) deliverables for content, accuracy, and sufficiency.
• Monitor contractor activities and coordinate to identify and resolve technical issues, gaps, risks, and dependencies affecting ground system implementation.
• Develop and deliver briefings, technical summaries, acquisition documentation, and leadership updates concerning ground capability initiatives and enterprise ground architecture.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior