Satellite Command & Control Operations Engineer

Description

SAIC’s Air Force, Space and Intelligence Business Group is growing and looking for innovative, mission-driven professionals to help us advance cutting-edge space capabilities for our Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Embark on a rewarding career just ten miles from SAIC headquarters, as part of our Chantilly, VA team supporting essential programs in systems development, targeting & intelligence analysis, systems engineering & integration, and beyond.

We are seeking a Satellite Command & Control (C2) Operations Engineer to serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on a state-of-the-art space program. In this role, you will advise the Government to make critical decisions based on telemetry data and command-and-control subsystem observables. You will undergo in-depth training on all satellite subsystems—starting with historical data review, root cause analysis processes, and operations procedures—to prepare you to perform critical, high-impact satellite mission events. Once trained, you will be a trusted advisor to Government Mission and Vehicle Directors, supporting efforts to modernize capabilities, streamline operations, and advance the next generation of space technologies.

Key Responsibilities
In this highly collaborative and technically complex position, you will:
•    Partner with multidisciplinary satellite subsystem teams to monitor subsystem development, testing, and integration conducted by developers.
•    Participate in Developer-led Integrated Product Teams (IPT) and system milestone reviews, offering innovative recommendations to enhance system performance and delivery timelines.
•    Serve as the Government witness during critical integration and testing events.
•    Provide on-console spacecraft health and safety monitoring during key operational events, supporting the success of mission-critical activities.
•    Collaborate with a diverse team to respond to anomalous spacecraft behavior, ensuring it is in a maintainable safe state. You will assist in diagnosing root causes, assessing spacecraft functionality, and supporting recovery efforts—or decommissioning if necessary.
•    Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies throughout the systems engineering lifecycle to safeguard mission objectives and ensure program success.

Qualifications

To excel in this role, you must possess:
•    Active TS/SCI clearance with a polygraph.
•    Expertise in spacecraft design and engineering, with proficiency in at least one satellite subsystem (e.g., structures and mechanisms, electrical power, attitude and orbit control, thermal control, command and data handling, propulsion) and a keen interest in rapidly learning others.
•    Strong system engineering experience, particularly in spacecraft design, development, and implementation.
•    Hands-on experience with pre-launch integration testing and functionality checkout of spacecraft systems.
•    A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with 14 years of experience, or a Master's degree with 12 years of experience.

Desired Qualifications
Additional qualifications that set you apart include:
•    6+ years of experience as a satellite developer, supplier, or on-site Government representative working on DoD or IC satellite programs.
•    Demonstrated program or project management experience, with a proven ability to oversee and align diverse operational and technical objectives.

Why Join SAIC?
At SAIC, we empower employees to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver precise solutions. Join us in shaping the future of space technology and supporting some of the nation’s most vital intelligence and defense initiatives. Apply today to become part of a high-caliber team driving forward our country’s space and intelligence capabilities.