Systems Engineer Senior Principal

SAIC • California, MD

3d

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 role provides direct engineering expertise to a PMA234 program, the IPT Lead (IPTL), and the Class Desk. The engineer guides engineering decisions, conducts technical evaluations, and coordinates across government, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure system performance, maintainability, and technical compliance. The position has high visibility and directly influences engineering and programmatic outcomes for critical Navy electronic attack capabilities.

The role includes reviewing and accepting engineering documents, assessing specifications and technical data, coordinating technical meetings and program activities, and preparing program briefings and records. It also supports program baseline documentation, requirements and verification, cross-disciplinary issue resolution, SETR events, trade studies, and assessments of cost, schedule, and performance impacts. The engineer presents findings and recommendations to government leadership to support milestone decisions.

The position requires a bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical or scientific discipline, at least 14 years of relevant Systems Engineering experience in DoD, NAVAIR, or similar acquisition environments, and an interim Secret clearance to start with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance. Travel is 10% to program offices, shipyards, and/or test ranges.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical/scientific discipline.
• 14 or more 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, with ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
• Ability to travel 10% to program offices, shipyards, and/or test ranges.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced knowledge of Navy and NAVAIR engineering processes.
• Top Secret clearance.
• Experience leading engineering teams or providing engineering leadership.
• Systems Engineering APMSE support experience.
• NAVAIR SETR process experience, including SRR, SFR, PDR, and CDR.
• Systems Engineering Transformation (SET) experience.
• Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) development or review experience.
• Airworthiness and CyberSafe process experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the review, analysis, and acceptance of 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.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of 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 budgeting, schedules, and performance objectives.
• Evaluate the cost, schedule, and operational performance impacts of new technologies, modifications, or requirement changes.
• Present findings and recommendations to government leadership to support milestone decisions.

What This Job Offers

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