Satellite Communication Engineer Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Job ID: 2612215

Location: Chantilly, VA, US

Date Posted: 2026-07-24

Category: Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory: Systems Engineer

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None

Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE

Description

Join a mission driven satellite program at the forefront of national defense innovation. Our team is developing cutting edge technologies that directly support critical Department of War priorities, combining both proven and first-of-their-kind capabilities that have never been applied in space. Operating within a fast-paced acquisition environment, we benefit from streamlined authorities and direct access to senior Government decisionmakers, enabling us to move quickly and execute aggressive schedules using the most innovative contracting strategies available.

SAIC is seeking self-directed leaders who skillfully navigate ambiguity, solve complex challenges, and bring diverse expertise to a dynamic environment focused on delivering capability rapidly. Success here requires adaptability, initiative, and a willingness to wear multiple hats in support of a high impact mission. Candidates experienced as USAF/USSF acquisition officers (AFSC: 63A) or developmental engineers (AFSC: 62E) leading satellite programs in the USSF (SSC), NRO, or SDA, applying the full range of the systems engineering discipline (e.g., Requirements Development, Architecture, SE milestones: SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.), and/or DAWIA/PMI Program Management will be especially well-prepared to excel.

Job Description:

This position is for a Comm Systems Engineer in Chantilly, VA supporting cutting-edge and innovative space programs. The Comm Systems Engineer provides space communications, network, and crypto acquisition activities engineering support for space systems.  The position requires familiarity with NRO organization, processes, and satellite systems.

Job Responsibilities: 

• Develop space system requirements and evaluate vendor solutions in the acquisition phase.

• Provide space communications engineering support for space systems including mesh communication architectures and direct downlink capabilities.

• Assess different types of communications architectures.

• Provide technical evaluation and risk assessments.

• Guide the Government in understanding communication frequency requirements and obtaining approval for use.

• Evaluate system designs and architectures to ensure requirements are met, including analyzing tradeoffs between range, throughput, Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP), and platform constraints.

• Perform modeling and simulating activities for communication systems (terrestrial, satellite, launch vehicle, ground) to optimize performance.

• Perform trade studies, capability gap analysis, and mission analysis.

• Evaluate emerging technologies to improve system resilience.

• Support the integration and modernization of satellite systems.

• Provide troubleshooting analysis.

• Conduct link analysis.

• Work with appropriate channels to obtain approvals for comm frequency use.

• Develop documents and briefings to communicate work or study status, briefs Government and industry as required.

• Support readiness reviews and major program reviews to evaluate system readiness.

• Resolve highly complex and multi-dimensional problems requiring consideration of variables that impact multiple aspects of the project/program.

• Develop documents and briefings to communicate work or study status and brief Government and industry as required.

Qualifications

•    TYPICAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelors and fourteen (14) years or more experience; Masters and twelve (12) years or more experience.
Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team building and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to be effective in a government/contractor team environment.
•    Experience providing systems engineering support and technical guidance in the acquisition, development, and deployment of satellite systems.
•    Ability to work in a very dynamic environment and effectively interact with numerous DOD, military/civilian personnel and industry partners.
•    Ability to facilitate technical discussions with SMEs.
•    Ability to communicate with a diverse audience of senior decision makers with varying levels of programmatic and technical expertise.
•    Effective communication, coordination, and customer engagement skills. 
•    Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic, and team environment with no supervision.
•    Active TS/SCI Required.
•    Previous SAP experience desired.