Systems Engineer Senior Principal

SAIC•California, MD

About The Position

SAIC is seeking a highly experienced Lead Systems Engineer (Senior Principal) to support the PMA234 Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) Systems Program Office. The position provides direct engineering expertise to one of the programs within PMA234, its IPT Lead (IPTL), and Class Desk. The engineer guides engineering decisions, conducts technical evaluations, and coordinates across government, contractor, and stakeholder teams to support system performance, maintainability, and technical compliance. The role has high visibility and directly influences engineering and programmatic outcomes for Navy electronic attack capabilities. The position leads or supports technical document reviews, systems engineering activities, SETR events, trade studies, requirements work, and cost, schedule, and performance assessments. It coordinates with engineering, logistics, fleet support teams, contractors, Navy stakeholders, and international partners throughout the system lifecycle. The role also prepares technical documentation and executive-level communications for government customers and program leadership. Travel of 10% to program offices, shipyards, and/or test ranges is expected.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical/scientific discipline.
14+ years of relevant Systems Engineering experience in DoD, NAVAIR, or similar acquisition environments.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, verbally and in writing.
Interim Secret clearance required to start.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

Nice To Haves

Advanced knowledge of Navy and NAVAIR engineering processes.
Top Secret clearance.
Experience leading engineering teams or providing engineering leadership.
Experience with Systems Engineering APMSE support.
Experience with NAVAIR SETR processes, including SRR, SFR, PDR, and CDR.
Experience with Systems Engineering Transformation (SET).
Experience developing or reviewing Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs).
Experience with airworthiness and CyberSafe processes.

Responsibilities

Lead the review, analysis, and acceptance of engineering documents, including SOWs, CDRLs, technical proposals, SETR artifacts, technical maturity assessments, and program requirements compliance.
Identify deficiencies, develop recommended solutions, and communicate engineering impacts to program leadership.
Analyze specifications, data packages, and suitability and supportability documentation.
Coordinate and facilitate technical meetings involving contractors, the PMA domestic team, and other stakeholders.
Represent engineering in PMRs, technical reviews, SETR events, working groups, conferences, and related program activities.
Prepare briefings, track action items, and maintain accurate records in Program Management Databases.
Prepare or review technical documentation supporting program baselines, including ECPs, ICDs, requirements and requirement changes, product test verifications, investigations, analyses, and engineering assessments.
Assist with drafting formal letters, memos, technical evaluations, and other correspondence for the government customer.
Coordinate with engineering, logistics, fleet support teams, and contractor personnel to resolve technical issues across the system lifecycle.
Maintain communication between PMA IPTs, U.S. Navy stakeholders, contractors, and international partners.
Provide executive-level communication to align engineering teams and program leadership.
Lead or support SETR events, providing technical insight into system maturity, requirements verification, architecture updates, and design progress.
Perform trade studies, research, and data analysis to support engineering and programmatic decision-making.
Assess operational requirements and ensure alignment with budgets, schedules, and performance objectives.
Evaluate cost, schedule, and operational performance impacts of new technologies, modifications, or requirement changes.
Present findings and recommendations to government leadership to support milestone decisions.