Space Vehicle Integration and Test Engineer

SAIC • Chantilly, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

SAIC is seeking a Space Vehicle Integration and Test Engineer to support innovative space programs in Chantilly, Virginia. The role works daily on-site with the Government, providing technical and programmatic advice and guidance for a critical space system. The engineer helps ensure that the space vehicle’s mechanical, electrical, and software components function safely and reliably to accomplish their mission.

The position supports multidisciplinary systems engineering and acquisition activities across space vehicle and subsystem design, manufacture, integration, and testing, including interfaces with launch vehicles and ground systems. The engineer provides technical leadership on risks and issues, assesses contractor designs and performance at milestone reviews, supports system development from requirements verification through mission design, prototype development, and test, and helps translate customer needs into actionable engineering requirements. The role also develops test procedures and tools for integrated vehicle assemblies and supports Government technical and programmatic processes.

This is a full-time, on-site day-shift position in Chantilly, VA, with travel expected about 10% of the time. A TS/SCI clearance is required. The target salary range is $180,001–$220,000, based on experience and other factors.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 14 or more years of experience, or a master’s degree and 12 or more years of experience.
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• Strong satellite systems engineering background.
• Experience with major government acquisition programs.
• Extensive experience in one or more of the following: mass properties, mechanical design and analysis, design for manufacturing, optical-mechanical systems, environmental testing, propulsion, mechanisms, guidance and controls, thermal engineering, structures, or aerospace engineering.
• Experience with space systems, including developing concepts of operations and mission threads, collaborating with stakeholders on interfaces, conducting trade studies, defining interfaces, and working with developers to mature interface requirements.
• Ability to absorb extensive technical detail and logically formulate solutions for execution on inflexible schedules, including when data is conflicting or incomplete.
• Knowledge and application of systems engineering processes and functions.
• Systems engineering and system integration experience.
• Experience with satellite system requirements development, design, manufacturing, and test.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team-building, and problem-solving skills, with effectiveness in Government-contractor team environments.
• 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 without supervision in a fast-paced, dynamic, team environment.
• TS/SCI clearance required.

Nice To Haves

• Previous SAP experience desired.
• Experience as a USAF/USSF acquisition officer (AFSC 63A) or developmental engineer (AFSC 62E) leading satellite programs in USSF (SSC), NRO, or SDA.
• Experience applying the full range of systems engineering disciplines, including requirements development, architecture, and milestones such as SRR, PDR, and CDR.
• DAWIA or PMI program management experience.
• Experience with Intelligence Community or Department of Defense Satellite Program Office best practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide the Government with space vehicle and subsystem engineering support, including recommended inputs and courses of action on technical and programmatic topics.
• Oversee multidisciplinary system-level acquisition, design, manufacture, integration, and test activities for space vehicles and interfaces to launch vehicles and ground systems.
• Identify, mitigate, and solve space vehicle and subsystem risks and issues.
• Prepare and deliver written reports, risk assessments, recommendations, and presentations to the customer.
• Foster communication and alignment among team members to identify challenges and solutions.
• Evaluate prime contractor performance at milestone reviews, including compliance with technical requirements and the quality of deliverables.
• Support system development from initial requirements verification through mission design, prototype development, and test.
• Serve as the main technical point of contact, lead reviews, and translate customer needs into actionable engineering requirements.
• Participate in studies and system trades to evaluate enhanced capabilities.
• Support verification, validation, and test planning.
• Assess contractor designs at major milestone reviews for progress, risks, issues, and ability to meet mission requirements.
• Provide technical support to Government customer activities and programmatic processes.
• Develop documents and briefings on work or study status, and brief Government and industry audiences as required.
• Develop procedures and tools to test integrated vehicle assemblies and verify vehicle health before the vehicle leaves for the pad.
• Ensure individual assembly areas meet requirements for seamless checkouts with minimal overhead.

What This Job Offers

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