Space Vehicle Integration and Test Engineer

SAIC•Chantilly, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

SAIC is seeking a self-directed Space Vehicle Integration and Test Engineer to support innovative space programs in Chantilly, Virginia. The role works daily on-site with the Government, providing engineering advice and guidance on technical and programmatic matters for a critical space system. The engineer helps ensure that mechanical, electrical, and software components function safely and reliably to meet mission objectives. The position provides multidisciplinary systems engineering and integration support across acquisition, design, manufacturing, integration, and test of space vehicles and their interfaces with launch vehicles and ground systems. The engineer supports system development from requirements verification through mission design, prototype development, and testing; leads technical reviews; translates customer needs into engineering requirements; and assesses contractor designs, performance, risks, and progress against mission requirements. The role also develops test procedures and tools to verify integrated vehicle assemblies and vehicle health before transport to the launch pad, and ensures assembly areas can conduct checkouts efficiently. The work takes place in a fast-paced acquisition environment with complex technical challenges, aggressive schedules, and frequent interaction with Government and industry stakeholders. The position requires adaptability, initiative, technical leadership, and the ability to communicate complex information to diverse audiences.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 14 or more years of experience, or a master’s degree and 12 or more years of experience; a bachelor’s degree is required.
Strong satellite systems engineering background.
Experience with major Government acquisition programs.
Extensive experience in at least one of the following: mass properties, mechanical design and analysis, design for manufacturing, opto-mechanical systems, environmental testing, propulsion, mechanisms, guidance and controls, thermal engineering, structures, or aerospace engineering.
Experience with space systems, including development of concepts of operations and mission threads, and stakeholder collaboration on interfaces.
Ability to conduct trade studies, define interfaces, and work with developers to mature interface requirements.
Ability to absorb extensive technical detail and formulate logical 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, including effectiveness in a Government-contractor team environment.
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.
Active TS/SCI clearance required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
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 systems engineering disciplines such as requirements development, architecture, and systems engineering milestones (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.).
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, recommendations, and courses of action on technical and programmatic topics.
Oversee multidisciplinary, system-level acquisition, design, manufacturing, integration, and test activities for space vehicles and vehicle interfaces with launch vehicles and ground systems.
Identify, mitigate, and resolve space vehicle and subsystem risks and issues.
Generate and deliver written reports, risk assessments, recommendations, and presentations to the customer.
Promote communication and alignment among team members to identify challenges and solutions.
Evaluate prime contractor performance at milestone reviews for compliance with technical requirements and 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 assess enhanced capabilities.
Support verification, validation, and test planning.
Assess contractor designs at major milestone reviews, including 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 stakeholders as required.
Develop procedures and tools to test integrated vehicle assemblies and verify vehicle health before it leaves for the launch pad.
Ensure individual assembly areas meet requirements for seamless, low-overhead checkouts.