Space Vehicle Integration and Test Engineer

SAIC•Chantilly, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

SAIC is seeking a Space Vehicle Integration and Test Engineer to support cutting-edge space programs in Chantilly, Virginia. The engineer works daily on-site with the Government, providing technical and programmatic advice and guidance for a critical space system and helping ensure the space vehicle’s mechanical, electrical, and software components function safely and reliably to accomplish the mission. The role supports space vehicle and subsystem engineering, system-level acquisition and design, manufacturing, integration, and test, including interfaces to launch vehicles and ground systems. The engineer provides technical leadership on risks and issues, assesses contractor designs and performance at milestone reviews, and supports system development from requirements verification through mission design, prototype development, and test. The position also develops procedures and tools for testing integrated vehicle assemblies and verifying vehicle health before the vehicle leaves for the launch pad, while ensuring assembly areas can conduct checkouts efficiently. The position calls for strong satellite systems engineering and acquisition program experience, effective collaboration with Government and contractor teams, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment. A TS/SCI clearance is required. A bachelor’s degree and 14 or more years of experience, or a master’s degree and 12 or more years of experience, are specified; the posting also states that a bachelor’s degree is required and a master’s degree is preferred.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least 14 years of experience, or a master’s degree and at least 12 years of experience.
Strong satellite systems engineering background.
Experience with major government acquisition programs.
Extensive experience in at least one of the following areas: 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 an inflexible schedule, 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.
Strong interpersonal, leadership, team-building, and problem-solving skills, with effectiveness in Government and 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

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 including SRR, PDR, and CDR, and/or DAWIA/PMI program management.
Experience with Intelligence Community or Department of Defense Satellite Program Office best practices.
Previous SAP experience desired.
Master’s degree preferred.

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 interfaces to launch vehicles and ground systems.
Identify, mitigate, and resolve applicable 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 for 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 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 communicating work or study status, and brief Government and industry as required.
Develop procedures and tools to test integrated vehicle assemblies and verify vehicle health before it leaves for the pad.
Ensure individual assembly areas meet requirements for seamless checkouts with minimal overhead.