Principal Systems Engineer

SAIC•Chantilly, VA

About The Position

SAIC has an immediate opening on a program in Chantilly for a Principal Systems Engineer. The role supports operational tool development, evaluation, training, and customer engagement. It calls for a broad technical background, operational field experience, and effective collaboration with engineers, vendors, field personnel, and customer stakeholders. The engineer will help identify operational requirements, support tool development, provide training, and serve as a liaison with industry and government partners. The position involves evaluating specialized equipment and technologies, advising on their suitability and operational applications, supporting the development and enhancement of tools, and identifying opportunities to incorporate emerging technologies into mission operations. The engineer will engage vendors and government technical specialists, lead specialized operational training, and assist with customer training, demonstrations, and outreach. The role also provides operational guidance and mentorship, supports mission planning and readiness, helps draft and coordinate operational communications, and prepares recurring Points of Interest (POI) briefings and other updates for customers and stakeholders. Approximately 10% travel on Temporary Duty (TDY) assignments is required for vendor meetings, training, equipment evaluations, and other mission-related activities.

Requirements

Must currently hold a TS/SCI and Poly clearance.
10 or more years of relevant experience.
Bachelor's degree or relevant experience substituted for the degree.
Broad technical background and ability to understand and discuss complex equipment and technology systems.
Operational field experience.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent priorities.
Experience evaluating technical equipment and providing operational feedback.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Experience developing and delivering training and presentations.
Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, vendors, customers, and operational personnel.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to mentor junior personnel.
Ability to travel on TDY assignments approximately 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

Participate in technical discussions with engineers, vendors, and field operations personnel to ensure operational requirements are incorporated into new tool development.
Evaluate specialized equipment and technologies and provide recommendations on capabilities, suitability, and operational application.
Contribute to discussions on future technology development, equipment enhancements, and program direction.
Support ongoing evaluation efforts for specialized audio and operational tools.
Monitor emerging technologies and identify opportunities to incorporate new capabilities into operational activities.
Serve as a primary liaison with vendors regarding equipment development, testing, and operational applications.
Attend vendor meetings to discuss current and future technology developments.
Maintain relationships with technical specialists across government agencies to exchange information on emerging tools, best practices, and operational capabilities.
Identify and evaluate external technologies for possible integration into mission operations.
Serve as a lead instructor for specialized operational training courses, including multi-week drill training programs.
Develop and deliver technical briefings and presentations to audiences with varying experience levels.
Train new personnel in the operation and application of specialized equipment and tools.
Support customer training initiatives, orientation programs, mission history briefings, and operational demonstrations.
Assist with outreach events designed to showcase operational capabilities and technologies.
Assist in drafting, reviewing, and coordinating operational cables and related communications on a daily basis.
Provide operational guidance and mentorship to junior officers and newly assigned personnel.
Support program activities requiring operational expertise in drill programs, tools, techniques, and field operations.
Contribute to mission planning and operational readiness initiatives as required.
Prepare and present recurring Points of Interest (POI) briefings and other program updates to customers and stakeholders.
Communicate technical information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
Represent the organization at meetings, training events, demonstrations, and working groups.
Travel approximately 10% of the time on TDY assignments for vendor meetings, training events, equipment evaluations, and other mission-related activities.