Satellite Operations Engineer Jobs in Washington

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 an Operations Systems Engineer in Chantilly, VA supporting cutting-edge and innovative space programs. The Operations Systems Engineer provides embedded support within the government program office to guide the concept development, verification, and deployment of a critical space system.

Job Responsibilities:

• Oversee projects from initial design (ConOps) to deployment, tracking timelines, and conducting cost-benefit and risk assessments.
• Support the customer in oversight and monitoring of satellite constellation operations including maintain daily status and trending of operational systems.
• Provide programmatic and technical guidance specific to operational center conops for future satellite operations center.
• Develop requirements and oversee the stand up of operations from vendors.
• Support anomaly resolution by assisting in the investigation, troubleshooting, and resolution of unexpected satellite behavior or failures.
• Provide emerging requirements.
• Provide programmatic and technical guidance on operational center conops for future satellite operations center.
• Participate in studies and system trades for enhanced capabilities.
• Support verification, validation, and test planning.
• Provide technical and programmatic assessments of contractor designs at major milestone reviews to assess progress, risks and issues, and the ability to achieve mission requirements.
• Provide technical support to Government customer activities and programmatic processes. 
• Develop documents and briefings to communicate work or study status and brief Government and industry as required.

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.

• Bachelors and fourteen (14) years or more experience; Masters and twelve (12) years or more experience; PhD or JD and nine (9) years or more experience.
• Experience with space systems, including development of concept of operations, mission threads, and collaboration with stakeholders on interfaces; ability to conduct trade studies, define interfaces, and work with the developer to mature interface requirements.
• Ability to absorb extensive technical detail and logically formulate solutions for execution on an inflexible schedule, often requiring integration of conflicting and, at times, incomplete data.
• Knowledge and application of Systems Engineering processes and functions.
• Systems engineering and system integration experience.
• Prior experience with satellite systems design, requirements, development, integration and test.
• Experience with the Intelligence Community or the Department of Defense Satellite Program Office best practices. 
• Experience with satellite system requirement development, design, manufacturing, and test.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team building and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to be effective in a government/contractor team environment.
• 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.