Space Systems Engineer Principal

Space Systems Engineer Principal

Job ID: 2617885

Location: Chantilly, VA, United States

Date Posted: Oct 13, 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 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.
• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph

Desired Skills:

• 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.

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

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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