Principal Systems Engineer - Technical Lead

Job ID:

Location: REMOTE WORK, MD, US

Date Posted: 2025-07-14

Category: Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory: Sys Integration

Schedule: Full-time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes, 10 % of the Time

Minimum Clearance Required: Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None

Potential for Remote Work: No

Description

SAIC is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Systems Engineer / Technical Lead to join our team; focusing on our AWS cloud environment. This role requires a unique blend of deep technical expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and a keen understanding of both software and hardware systems. You'll play a critical role in designing, implementing, and optimizing our cloud infrastructure while guiding our engineering efforts for the United States Coast Guard Online World of Leaning.

Please be aware this is a SHORT-TERM position, most likely to terminate in December 2025.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of scalable and secure solutions within our AWS Cloud environment.
• Conduct comprehensive requirements gathering for complex software and platform initiatives, translating business needs into technical specifications.
• Develop and refine medium and high-fidelity wireframes using Adobe Creative Suite (Xd), contributing to intuitive UI/UX for our platforms.
• Create, read, and edit intricate software systems architecture and diagrams using tools like Lucidchart or Visio.
• Design and document database architecture, specifically for SQL and MongoDB environments.
• Contribute to and oversee cross-functional hardware/software testing, ensuring robust system performance.
• Develop detailed test cases and test cards (VVT - Verification, Validation, and Testing) for new and existing functionalities.
• Drive continuous improvement within an Agile/Scrum framework, actively participating in and leading ceremonies.
• Utilize Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket) for project management, documentation, and code collaboration.
• Effectively communicate complex technical concepts and project updates to high-level/ranking stakeholders, tailoring messages for clarity and impact.
• Product Ownership: Act as a primary liaison between technical teams and stakeholders, defining and prioritizing product backlog items, ensuring alignment with product vision.
• Product Management Support: Contribute to product strategy and roadmap development, conduct market research, and support product lifecycle management activities.
• Roadmap Development: Create and develop comprehensive technical and business roadmaps, outlining strategic direction and key initiatives.
• Vendor Management: Determine, plan, and manage communications with external vendors to ensure successful partnerships and project delivery.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• AWS Cloud: In-depth expertise in designing, deploying, and managing services within an AWS Gov Cloud environment
• UI/UX: Proficiency in medium and high-fidelity wireframing using Adobe Creative Suite (Xd).
• Requirements Gathering: Proven ability to elicit, analyze, and document requirements for software and platform development.
• Software Systems Architecture & Diagramming Tools: Expert proficiency in Lucidchart or Visio for creating, editing, and analyzing software systems architecture and diagrams.
• Agile/Scrum: Strong practical experience working within and contributing to Agile/Scrum methodologies.
• Atlassian Tools: Proficient in using Jira for project and issue tracking, Confluence for knowledge management and documentation, and Bitbucket for code version control
• Software Engineering: Strong proficiency with Git for source code management and repository. Ability to read, understand, and contribute to: Python, PHP, HTML, CSS, SQL
• Database/Data Science: Hands-on experience with SQL and MongoDB, including the creation of comprehensive database architecture documentation.
• Testing: Proficiency in creating and executing test cases and test cards (VVT), with experience in cross-hardware/software testing.
• CCM & ITIL Concepts: Solid understanding of Change and Configuration Management (CCM) and ITIL concepts, as it pertains to the Defense industry.
• Cybersecurity : Familiarity with Cloud software and platform cybersecurity practices e.g. ACAS Scans, STIGS

Leadership & Work Environment:

• High EQ: Demonstrated high emotional intelligence, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Stakeholder Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate technical information and project status concisely and effectively to brief high-level and ranking stakeholders, focusing on business impact and strategic alignment.
• CSPO II: Certified Scrum Product Owner II (CSPO II) certification.
• Flexibility: Ability to accommodate flex working hours, including up to three Approved Service Interruption (ASI) sessions per month requiring after-hours work.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel as required.

Education/Experience, Clearance:

• Bachelor's and 14, or relevant years of experience in lieu of degree
• and an active Secret Clearance

Target salary range: $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.