Systems Engineer at SAIC

SAIC’s Horizon program is seeking you, an experienced Systems Engineer with deep expertise in space-based Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Space Surveillance & Reconnaissance (S&R) to support the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) willing to work in Colorado Springs, CO. As our systems engineer, you will embed full-time with the Government’s ground enterprise development team, helping shape and deliver the next generation of SDA TCPED (Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, Dissemination) capabilities.

You will serve as a technical integrator and strategic advocate for space-based sensor integration, working directly with the customer responsible for Mission Management, Command and Control (M2C2) and sensor orchestration suite on the front end, as well as the data fusion and exploitation environment on the back end. You will join and actively participate in Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and staff meetings to ensure space-based S&R capabilities are represented in rapidly evolving ground architecture.

Key Responsibilities

• Advocate for space-based S&R capabilities within the evolving ground TCPED enterprise, ensuring space sensor data is effectively tasked, collected, processed, exploited, and disseminated alongside ground-based sensors.
• Serve as the primary systems integration liaison for advanced space-based and ground-based SDA platforms, with a focus on seamless mission thread integration.
• Embed with the development team and participate in program IPTs and staff meetings to influence architecture, design, and implementation decisions for the M2C2 mission management system and sensor orchestration suite.
• Provide technical oversight of system development efforts (design, development, manufacturing, integration/test, production, sustainment) across both traditional and agile/prototype acquisition approaches.
• Define and evolve operational concepts (CONOPS), requirements, system interfaces, and verification approaches that enable space-ground data fusion and sensor orchestration.
• Guide end-to-end mission thread integration, from space sensor tasking through ground TCPED to actionable information for defensive and offensive space control.
• Participate in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and test planning to ensure integrated capabilities meet warfighter space superiority objectives.
• Lead risk management activities—identifying, analyzing, and mitigating technical and programmatic risks associated with SDA sensor integration.
• Coordinate across USSF, SSC, SpOC, NSDC, and USSPACECOM government agencies, commercial partners, and allied nations to establish cross-domain sensor tasking and data-sharing architectures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, space systems, or related technical disciplines and 9+ years (or Master’s and 7+ years) of experience with:
  • System-of-systems architecture and complex interface integration.
  • TCPED workflows for SDA or Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
  • Workflows for Space Control missions.
  • Hardware/software integration and ground segment development.
  • Cloud-based ground architectures and modern C2 concepts (e.g., Ground Segment as a Service).
  • Deep understanding of Space Domain Awareness, Space Control, and Counterspace operations.
  • Proven expertise in space-based SDA / S&R sensor architectures, mission integration, and payload-to-ground data paths.
• Must have an in-scope security background investigation (T5 or SSBI), adjudicated for SCI eligibility and enrolled in the Continuous Evaluation program (if applicable).
• Must be willing to be nominated for access to Sensitive Compartment Information and Special Access Programs and willing to consent to a Polygraph examination.

Desired Skills

• Advanced degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace, or related technical field.
• Experience in operational space units (e.g., Delta 9, NSDC, JTF-SD, CSpOC).
• Ability to translate warfighting requirements and CONOPS into system capabilities and acquisition priorities.
• Experience supporting USSF/SSC space control or SDA programs, including sensor orchestration and TCPED modernization.
• Prior work in U.S. Government weapons system or space mission program offices.
• Professional certifications (e.g., INCOSE CSEP, PE, Agile PM/PO, ITEA CTEP).

*!SAIC accepts applications on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.

SAIC® is a premier Fortune 500® 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, civilian and intelligence 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 24,000 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 $7.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom. Apply Now