Space Protection Operations Engineer

Space Protection Operations Engineer

Job ID: 2613834

Location: Chantilly, VA, United States

Date Posted: Jun 18, 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

Benefits: Click here

Share: mail

Apply Now >

Apply Now >

Job Description

Description

SAIC is seeking a Space Protection Operations Engineer to join the Air Force, Space, and Intelligence Business Group providing systems engineering and technical advisory services to a rapidly expanding Government Intelligence Community (IC) customer. The customer is developing the next generation of space and ground systems, architectures, and hardware and software solutions.

The Space Protection Operations Engineer will serve as the subject matter expert (SME) and System Program Office (SPO) representative coordinating with the development contractor and stakeholders (including end user operators) for deployment of new protection capabilities into space operations. The Space Protection Operations Engineer collaborates within a team of mission-related SMEs to support system testing, transition to operations planning, user/operator training, and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) planning and Deficiency Report (DR) management, as well as being the SPO focal point for coordinating with Operations stakeholders.

The Space Protection Operations Engineer responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provides space protection operations mission expertise to acquisition managers and software engineers in the development of tools that provide operators Indications and Warning against Space threats.
• Elicits system capability needs and user interface/experience (UI/UX) preferences from operational users.
• Collaborates with software developers to inform/guide mission application enhancements.
• Manages the transition of new capabilities and software deliveries to operations.
• Leads the review and coordination of system documentation and training materials.
• Evaluates developer solutions, guides software deployment activities, and assesses software patches/fixes.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's and 9 or more years of experience; master's and 7 or more years of experience; PhD and 4 or more years of experience.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with Poly.
• Experience in space mission operations.
• Experience transitioning new capabilities/software deployments to operations in a 24/7 operations center and managing mission operations opportunities, challenges, and risks.
• Knowledge of agile software development principles.

Desired:

• Experience supporting the NRO.
• Experience in Space Protection operations and familiarity with protection technologies.
• Experience authoring operator-related or software deployment documentation.
• Experience in Space system testing, simulation, and modeling environments.
• Familiarity with transitioning software into operations within IC (preferably NRO) or DoW.
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of orbital mechanics and orbit determination.

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.

Share: mail

Apply Now >