Job ID: 2617127
Location: Chantilly, VA, US
Date Posted: 2026-09-22
Category: Engineering and Sciences
Subcategory: Systems Engineer
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes - 25% 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 looking for a Ground Systems Engineer with Space Domain Operations experience in Chantilly, VA to support a very dynamic and innovative space program office in Chantilly, VA. The Senior Ground Systems Engineer serves as a key technical contributor responsible for the development, integration, testing, sustainment, and modernization of mission-critical ground systems supporting space operations. This position provides engineering expertise across the system lifecycle and serves as a trusted advisor for ground software, system architectures, integration activities, and operational processes.
The successful candidate will support complex ground system initiatives, collaborate with cross-functional engineering and operations teams, and help ensure the long-term sustainability of critical mission capabilities. This role requires a strong understanding of ground-based space operations, systems engineering principles, software integration, and operational mission support. The engineer will also play a significant role in preserving institutional knowledge and supporting branch-level planning and execution activities.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead and support the development, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment of mission-critical ground systems supporting space operations.
- Provide technical expertise for ground software, operational workflows, system architectures, and mission support processes.
- Plan and execute system integration activities involving software, networks, databases, and operational systems to ensure interoperability and mission readiness.
- Support system verification, validation, performance assessment, troubleshooting, and anomaly resolution efforts.
- Evaluate existing architectures and engineering processes and recommend improvements that enhance reliability, maintainability, security, and operational effectiveness.
- Collaborate with government stakeholders, mission operators, software developers, systems engineers, and mission partners to define requirements and implement technical solutions.
- Develop, review, and maintain technical documentation, interface specifications, operational procedures, system configurations, and engineering artifacts.
- Capture, document, and transfer critical program knowledge, engineering best practices, lessons learned, and operational insights to support long-term program sustainability.
- Assist leadership in prioritizing engineering efforts and aligning technical activities with mission objectives and program goals.
Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
- 9+ years of experience supporting ground systems engineering, software integration, systems development, testing, or mission operations within the defense, intelligence, aerospace, or space domains.
- Demonstrated experience supporting complex system integration and test activities within operational environments.
- Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, software development lifecycles, configuration management, and verification and validation processes.
- Experience supporting operational ground systems, mission planning systems, command and control systems, or space mission operations.
- Ability to analyze complex technical issues and develop effective engineering solutions.
- Experience developing and maintaining technical documentation and engineering artifacts.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to engage technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph; eligibility for required program access.
Desired:- Familiarity with ground control systems, satellite operations, mission management systems, and command-and-control architectures.
Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.
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: 2617127
- Posted 7 hours ago
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