Concept of Operations (CONOPS), Contract Creation, Emerging Technology, Government, Government Contracts, Government Requirements, Information Technology & Information Systems, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Manufacturing, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Problem Solving Skills, Professional Services, Project Tracking, Requirements Management, Risk Analysis, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), Statement of Work (SOW), System Lifecycle, System Readiness Review (SRR), Systems Engineering, Technical Analysis, Technical Delivery, Technical Drawing, Technical Support, Test Readiness Review (TRR), Testing, Top Secret Clearance, Wheel/Front-End Loader, Work From Home
Payload Systems Engineer
Job ID: 2613887
Location: Chantilly, VA, United States
Date Posted: Jun 22, 2026
Category: Engineering and Sciences
Subcategory: Systems Engineer
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes - 10% of the time
Minimum Clearance Required: TS/SCI with Poly
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None
Potential for Remote Work: On-Site
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Job Description
Description
SAIC is seeking a Payload Systems Engineer to provide onsite systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) services in support of an SAIC Prime Program at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in Chantilly, VA.
As the Payload Systems Engineer, you will play a critical role in the development, acquisition, and execution of multiple satellite payload systems-both on‑orbit and in development. You will support the Payload Division SETA team in advising the government on technical, programmatic, and acquisition activities across EO and SAR payload portfolios. This role requires familiarity with NRO mission structures, acquisition processes, and satellite system lifecycles.
Job Responsibilities to include:
- Advise the PROSPO Payload Division Chief on all aspects of payload development and acquisition.
- Support the SPO in planning, execution, monitoring, and oversight of multiple EO and SAR payload systems in development and acquisition.
- Assist the Government in developing CONOPS and employment approaches for EO and SAR systems.
- Assist the Government in developing requirement documents, statements of work (SOWs), and other contract documents during program acquisition and contract action preparation.
- Provide oversight of acquisitions to ensure end‑to‑end system closure and satisfaction of mission need.
- Draft technical evaluations and serve as a technical advisor during source selections.
- Provide technical and programmatic assessments of contractor designs at major milestone reviews to evaluate progress, risks, issues, and ability to meet mission requirements.
- Participate in program reviews and technical interchange meetings between developers and the COTR.
- Review CDRL deliverables for technical accuracy, completeness, and sufficiency to meet program objectives.
- Provide technical support to Government customer activities and programmatic processes.
- Develop documents and briefings to communicate study results, technical findings, and program status to Government and industry stakeholders.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelors in Engineering or Similar Field and five (5) years or more experience; Masters and three (3) years or more experience; PhD and 0 years related experience.
- Active Top Secret/SCI with current Polygraph.
- Experience with satellite and/or satellite payload system requirement development, design, manufacturing, and test.
- Demonstrated experience supporting satellite and/or payload design reviews, including SRR, SDR, PDR, CDR, TRR, MRR, PSR, and related milestone reviews.
- Experience supporting the acquisition of multiple payload systems.
- Experience developing requirement documents, statements of work, and other contract documents for major acquisition programs.
- Proven ability to assess contractor designs, identify risks, and evaluate technical performance against mission requirements.
- Strong interpersonal, leadership, team‑building, and problem‑solving skills with demonstrated effectiveness in a government/contractor environment.
- Working knowledge of the NRO organization, major acquisition processes, and satellite systems.
Overview
SAIC accepts applications on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.
SAIC is a premier 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, intelligence, and civilian markets includes 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 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.
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Science Applications International Corp
SAIC is a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator driving our nation's digital transformation. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian, and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in engineering, IT modernization, and mission solutions. Using our expertise and understanding of existing and emerging technologies, we integrate the best components from our own portfolio and our partner ecosystem to deliver innovative, effective, and efficient solutions that are critical to achieving our customers' missions.
We are a team of 26,000 strong driven by mission, united purpose, and inspired by opportunity. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.1 billion. For more information, visit saic.com.