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Space Systems Engineer Principal

Chantilly, VA, US • Posted 1 day ago • Updated 3 hours ago

Full Time

On-site

SAIC

Fitment

Dice Job Match Score™

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Job Details

Skills

Risk Management
Technical Drafting
Data Integration
Optimization
Evaluation
Collaboration
Interfaces Management
Interfaces
Stakeholder Engagement
Performance Monitoring
Risk Analysis
Performance Metrics
Documentation
Leadership
Computer Science
Physics
ESR
Scheduling
Primavera
Data Collection
Workflow
Analytical Skill
Conflict Resolution
Problem Solving
Cross-functional Team
Aerospace
Modeling
MATLAB
Simulink
ITIL
PMP
Organizational Skills
Management
Attention To Detail
Technical Writing
Reporting
Communication
Science
Adaptability
Information Technology
Systems Engineering
FOCUS

Summary

Job ID: 2611120

Location: Chantilly, VA, US

Date Posted: 2026-04-07

Category: Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory: Systems Engineer

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI_wPoly

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None

Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE

Description

? SAIC is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Principal Systems Engineer to support ESR execution, extended mission activities, and activation opportunities. In this role, you will bridge mission science objectives with engineering solutions, playing an integral role in planning, integrating, and executing key milestones throughout the mission lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will work directly with the Mission Science Team to ensure mission-critical objectives are met. This includes participating in mission planning, managing engineering processes, and supporting the transition of systems from primary to extended mission phases. Your contributions will help ensure operational success in complex mission environments.

Key Responsibilities:

ESR Execution and Extended Mission Activities

Lead ESR Execution Activities: Plan, manage, document, and execute ESR activities, including milestone reviews, readiness assessments, and risk management efforts.
Transition Planning: Develop strategies for transitioning systems from primary mission phases into extended mission operations, ensuring alignment with technical and scientific goals.
Opportunity Identification: Identify and evaluate potential activation opportunities that support additional mission objectives or leverage system capabilities post-primary mission.
Anomaly Resolution: Support troubleshooting and resolution of technical and operational challenges encountered during extended mission phases.

Support to Mission Science Branch

Collaboration: Work closely with the Mission Science Team to plan and prioritize science-driven operational needs, including data collection, processing, and analysis objectives.
Requirements Alignment: Translate mission science requirements into technical design and operational plans, ensuring end-to-end traceability and alignment with system capabilities.
Data Integration: Assist the Mission Science Team in integrating scientific goals with operational planning, ensuring that required data collection and processing are seamlessly achieved.
Mission Optimization: Support ongoing evaluation and enhancement of mission plans to optimize scientific return and performance during all mission phases.

Planning and Integration

Develop Integrated Schedules: Create and maintain detailed schedules for ESR, activation, and extended mission activities, ensuring key deadlines are met.
Cross-Functional Coordination: Manage the planning and integration of system elements across interdisciplinary teams to support both engineering and science goals.
Interface Management: Manage interfaces between mission science teams and engineering teams, ensuring communication and technical solutions meet mission and operational demands.
Stakeholder Engagement: Participate in internal and external stakeholder meetings to align objectives, report progress, and gather feedback for improving mission success.

Risk and Performance Monitoring

Assess Mission Risks: Perform risk analysis for ESR and extended mission activities, developing mitigation strategies to ensure on-time and successful execution.
Performance Tracking: Monitor mission and system performance metrics during activation and extended mission phases, recommending improvements as necessary to achieve mission science goals.
Documentation and Reporting: Document all planning, execution, and integration activities, providing detailed reports and briefings to stakeholders and leadership.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Education:

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical field with 9 years of experience; Masters and 7 years of experience; or PhD and 4 years of experience.
3-7 years of experience in systems engineering or a related field, with focus areas such as mission operations, planning, integration, or extended mission execution.
Familiarity with ESR processes, extended missions, and related engineering and operational lifecycles.
Proven experience in planning and scheduling complex projects or systems, with proficiency in tools such as MS Project, Primavera, or similar.
Understanding of science-driven missions and operational needs, including data collection, processing, and analysis workflows.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated experience in cross-functional team environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

Advanced degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
Familiarity with mission science planning tools or frameworks, including integration of science goals into operational pipelines.
Knowledge of modeling or simulation tools, such as MATLAB, Simulink, or mission analysis software.
Certifications such as INCOSE ASEP/CSEP, ITIL, or PMP.
Experience with space missions, planetary exploration, or other science-driven operational missions.

Key Competencies:

Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in technical documentation and reporting.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across science and engineering teams.
High adaptability to evolving mission requirements and operational constraints.

Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.

Dice Id: 10111346
Position Id: 2611120
Posted 1 day ago

Company Info

About SAIC

SAIC® is a premier Fortune 500 mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets include secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

We are approximately 24,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

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