Space Vehicle Production Engineer

SAIC•Chantilly, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

SAIC is seeking a self-directed Space Vehicle Production Engineer to support cutting-edge space programs in Chantilly, Virginia. The position supports a mission-driven satellite program focused on national defense and works daily on-site with the Government, providing technical and programmatic advice and guidance for a critical space system. The engineer helps ensure that mechanical, electrical, and software components function safely and reliably to complete the system’s mission. The role supports the space vehicle lifecycle from initial requirements verification through mission design, prototype development, and testing. It includes assessing contractor designs and production documentation, overseeing testing, addressing risks and issues, and advising Government customers on technical and programmatic decisions. The engineer serves as a technical point of contact, leads reviews, and communicates status and recommendations to Government and industry stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 14 or more years of experience, or a master’s degree and 12 or more years of experience.
Strong satellite systems engineering background.
Experience with major Government acquisition programs.
Extensive experience in one or more 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 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, with the ability to work effectively 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 independently in a fast-paced, dynamic, team environment.
TS/SCI clearance required.
Bachelor’s degree required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Previous SAP experience desired.
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 environmental, thermal, and acceptance testing to help ensure hardware can withstand launch and orbital conditions.
Assess contractor designs and documentation, including step-by-step manufacturing, assembly, and integration instructions for flight hardware.
Work with space vehicle design engineers to ensure parts can be reliably built, machined, or assembled on the production floor.
Provide technical leadership in identifying, mitigating, and resolving 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 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 for enhanced capabilities.
Assess contractor designs at major milestone reviews for progress, risks, issues, and ability to achieve 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.