Ground Systems Engineer

SAIC • Chantilly, VA

18h • Onsite

About The Position

The Ground Systems Engineer supports cutting-edge space programs in Chantilly, Virginia, providing subject matter expertise to a government customer on Space Vehicle and Ground Station infrastructure integration. The role guides the development, verification, and deployment of a critical space system, drawing on experience across production, integration, and test phases of space system acquisition. The position operates in a fast-paced acquisition environment and involves close collaboration with government customers, contractors, and technical experts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 18 or more years of experience, master’s degree and 16 or more years of experience, or PhD or JD and 15 or more years of experience.
• Experience supporting a government acquisition program office in a military, SETA, or civil servant capacity.
• Experience with systems architecture design for spacecraft, payload, and ground systems.
• Experience with Intelligence Community or Department of Defense Satellite Program Office best practices.
• Experience with satellite system requirements development, design, manufacturing, and testing.
• Experience with MBSE (Model-Based Systems Engineering), Agile methodologies, and ground software for telemetry or data processing.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team-building, and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated effectiveness in a government/contractor team environment.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment and interact effectively with DOD personnel, military and civilian personnel, and industry partners.
• Ability to facilitate technical discussions with subject matter experts.
• Ability to communicate with senior decision-makers with varying levels of programmatic and technical expertise.
• Effective communication, coordination, and customer engagement skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment without supervision.
• TS/SCI clearance required.

Nice To Haves

• Previous SAP experience.
• Experience as a USAF/USSF acquisition officer (AFSC 63A) or developmental engineer (AFSC 62E) leading satellite programs in the USSF (SSC), NRO, or SDA.
• Experience applying systems engineering disciplines such as requirements development, architecture, and systems engineering milestones (SRR, PDR, CDR), and/or DAWIA/PMI Program Management.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical liaison between government customers and prime contractors, overseeing acquisition, development, and integration of satellite ground station infrastructure.
• Construct and review engineering documents and provide subject matter expertise in support of source selections.
• Support program reviews, design and development activities, testing, and transition to operations.
• Oversee contractor production and Integration and Test activities, and report progress and outcomes to customers.
• Provide technical advice and input to the customer’s System Program Director to establish strategic foundations for current and future initiatives.
• Resolve complex, multidimensional problems while considering variables that affect multiple aspects of a project or program.
• Lead development of innovative products and solutions through collaboration and dialogue with other experts.
• Develop documents and briefings to communicate work or study status, and brief Government and industry stakeholders as required.

What This Job Offers

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