Space Experiments System Engineer

SAIC•Chantilly, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

SAIC is seeking a Space Experiments System Engineer to provide systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) services to a United States Government customer in Chantilly, Virginia. The role supports a government Program Manager (PM) and Principal Investigator (PI) in the successful coordination and operation of space experiment activities. It combines technical, organizational, and communication responsibilities, working closely with government engineering staff and other stakeholders. The engineer manages experiment nominations and documentation, coordinates with experiment teams and space vehicle providers, maintains stakeholder and experiment records, and supports strategic reviews of experiment feasibility. The role also helps align experiments with Program Offices and transition partners, reports status and issues to the PM and PI, and identifies opportunities to improve experiment management, Assembly Integration and Test (AI&T), and integration processes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or a related field, with 14 or more years of experience; alternatively, a master’s degree with 12 or more years of experience, or a PhD or JD with 9 or more years of experience.
Strong technical and administrative skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to coordinate across multiple teams and organizations.
Proficiency in data management and experience with collaboration tools such as Confluence and other project management software.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must have an active TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Familiarity with space technologies.
Passion for space exploration and emerging technologies, and commitment to staying informed about industry trends.

Responsibilities

Track and manage experiment nominations in a centralized spreadsheet, keeping critical information accurate and up to date.
Coordinate with the PI on experiment document submissions, including Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and software; catalog and verify submissions and request updates or corrections as needed.
Serve as the primary point of contact for experiment teams and coordinate timely communication and documentation for AI&T and demonstrations.
Liaise with space vehicle providers to obtain and catalog user guides, ICDs, and other integration details to support experiment onboarding.
Maintain an up-to-date database of experimenters, suppliers, industry partners, academic contributors, and other USG stakeholders, including information on approximately 400 small-satellite companies.
Document and archive relevant information on the internal Confluence webpage to support knowledge retention and operational continuity.
Assist the PI and PM by preparing and presenting experiment details for strategic reviews and feasibility assessments within manifest windows.
Coordinate with the PI, PM, and team members to support experiment integration and identify appropriate transition partners.
Facilitate communication between experiment nominations and Program Offices to align with customer goals and clarify experiment transition pathways.
Provide the PM and PI with status updates on nominations, documentation submissions, AI&T processes, and emerging issues.
Identify process inefficiencies and propose improvements to experiment management, AI&T, and integration processes.