Spacecraft Ground Operations Engineer

Spacecraft Ground Operations Engineer

Job ID: 2617755

Location: Chantilly, VA, United States

Date Posted: Oct 8, 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 Spacecraft Ground Operations Engineer. This position is located in Chantilly, VA and requires an active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.

The Spacecraft Ground Operations Engineer will support a program office for a Major System Acquisition that requires a computer scientist or engineer with technical expertise in spacecraft mission integration and operational support. The Spacecraft Ground Operations Engineer will be an integral participant in spacecraft ground segment design analysis, verification and developer selloff of requirements. Additionally, this individual will be intimately involved in spacecraft initialization and on orbit checkout for the spacecraft and all payloads.

The Spacecraft Ground Operations Engineer will serve as a SETA with responsibilities that may include but not limited to the following:

• Provide on-site, direct support for major program acquisitions
• Participate in factory and operation base activities such as witnessing tests at all levels (unit, segment, system) and providing feedback to government and SETA team members
• Participate in Agile Increment planning and reviews
• Participate in engineering review boards, manufacturing review boards, failure review boards, and applicable working groups both in-person and remotely
• Provide status feedback on process improvements and recommendations on best path forward
• Participate in document reviews (test procedures, design, management) and witness tests and demonstrations
• Provide support to integration and satellite on-orbit test as required by the customer
• Review and provide technical evaluations of developer's Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs)
• Participate in developer milestone reviews (e.g. pre-test, pre-ship and other meetings); provide evaluations regarding satisfaction of review entrance and exit criteria
• Support factory integration and test activities and interact with flight and payload operators
• Develop productive relationships with prime contractor counterparts, functional counterparts, and other spacecraft subsystem subject matter experts
• Advise and mentor USG personnel regarding spacecraft ground software segment design elements

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Computer Science, Engineering or related field and 9 years relevant experience, Masters and seven (7) years or more experience; PhD and four (4) years or more experience; Additional years of experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree
• Active TS/SCI Clearance with Polygraph
• Knowledge of systems engineering and mission assurance specifications and standards
• Experience with Agile development and methodology
• Experience with Cloud platforms, services, and security
• Experience with Agile S/W development
• Familiarity with the Phoenix Ground system is preferred
• Experience in the design & integration of satellite software and knowledgeable of launch & flight operations of space vehicles
• Experience in DoD and IC acquisition and program management processes
• An understanding of full life cycle system support, from procurement to launch, including requirement analysis, requirements tracking, system design and development through system test, installation and sell-off, delivery, and hardware development, testing, analysis, and requirements verification
• Basic understanding of DoD/IC satellite systems and architectures
• Familiarity with space systems ground support and hardware acquisitions
• Available to travel occasionally domestically
• Ability to travel occasionally (with extended travel during initialization of spacecraft)

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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