Senior Systems Engineer

SAIC•Crane, IN

17d•Hybrid

About The Position

SAIC is seeking a highly motivated and technically versatile Senior Systems Engineer to support the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane and the Office of Strategic Weapons Acquisition & Sustainment (OSW A&S) Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program. The role serves as a Technology Project Officer (TPO) within the kinetics portfolio, primarily supporting solid rocket motor (SRM) technology projects and other kinetics-related efforts. It combines energetics and propulsion expertise with quality assurance and manufacturing experience, systems engineering discipline, and program execution experience. This is a hybrid/telework position requiring regular engagement at the NSWC Crane customer site and periodic travel to vendor and industrial base locations across the continental United States. The position supports customer meetings on-site at NSWC Crane, Indiana, one to two days per week, and travel to CONUS vendor and industrial base sites of up to 25%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline and nine or more years of experience; or a master’s degree and seven or more years of experience.
Active Top Secret clearance required at time of hire.
Experience in systems engineering, energetics/propulsion, quality assurance, or manufacturing engineering in a defense or government contracting environment.
Demonstrated experience with solid rocket motors, propellant formulation, or energetic materials in a research, production, or program support capacity.
Background in quality assurance and/or manufacturing engineering, including familiarity with quality management systems, process controls, and supplier quality evaluation.
Experience supporting program reviews, technical documentation, and CDRL development in a DoD acquisition environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical findings to senior government and industry stakeholders.
Ability to travel up to 25% CONUS to vendor and industrial base sites.
Ability to support on-site customer meetings one to two days per week at NSWC Crane, Indiana.

Nice To Haves

Research focus in energetics, propellants, or related fields.
Direct experience with solid rocket motor programs in a DoD or Navy acquisition context.
Familiarity with NSWC Crane, Naval Acquisition programs, or OSW A&S program structure.
Experience conducting internal or supplier audits in a defense manufacturing environment, including familiarity with AS9100, CMMI, or equivalent quality frameworks.
Earned Value Management (EVM) knowledge or CAM certification.
Proficiency with SysML/Cameo or other model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools.
Experience with Parts, Materials, and Processes (PMP) engineering in a missile or munitions program context.
Familiarity with AFATDS, fire control systems, or the kinetics/fires domain from a military or defense perspective.
Prior military service with experience in fires, combat engineering, or explosive systems.
Proficiency with analytical tools including Python, Explo5, or equivalent computational platforms relevant to energetics analysis.

Responsibilities

Serve as Technology Project Officer for solid rocket motor and other kinetics portfolio technology projects, managing technical scope, schedule, and deliverables for the IBAS program.
Conduct Industrial Base Analysis activities, including vendor assessments, manufacturing capability evaluations, and supply chain risk identification for solid rocket motor and kinetics-related components.
Support sustainment planning for energetics and propulsion systems by evaluating supplier readiness, production capacity, and quality management systems at CONUS vendor sites.
Coordinate and facilitate technical interchange meetings, program reviews, and working groups with NSWC Crane stakeholders, program offices, and industry partners.
Develop and deliver technical reports, white papers, briefings, and CDRLs in support of program milestones and customer requirements.
Apply systems engineering principles to assess technology maturity (TRL/MRL), identify gaps, and recommend investment strategies within the kinetics portfolio.
Collaborate with government and contractor teams to evaluate quality and manufacturing processes at component and system levels, identifying risks and opportunities for improvement.
Support critical design reviews, interim program reviews, and other technical gate reviews as required.
Apply knowledge of propellant formulation, energetic materials, and warhead systems as subject matter expertise during vendor assessments and technology evaluations.
Maintain awareness of emerging technologies and industrial base trends relevant to solid rocket motors and kinetics systems.