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Spacecraft Payload SME

Full Time Remote

Summary

Job Description

Description

SAIC has an opening for a Spacecraft Payload SME Engineer with an understanding of Digital Receiver Processors. The individual selected will provide subject matter expertise to support customer decisions with respect to contractors’ development of spacecraft RF collection payloads and overall mission capabilities. Individual will perform the following duties.

  • Responsible for overseeing vendor development of RF antenna and receiver payload path to flight as the primary technical expert.
  • Responsible for supporting end-to-end payload development to include:
    • Analysis of alternatives
    • Requirements generation, evaluation and compliance assessments
    • Concept design evaluation
    • Critical technology element (CTE) identification and assessments; Technology readiness assessments (TRA); manufacturing readiness assessments (MRA).
    • Concept of Operations (CONOPS) development
    • Oversight of payload integration
    • Transition to operations to include: development; operator training; payload initialization and checkout; on-orbit operations and end of life operations
  • Responsible for assessing proposed payload design updates and understanding all performance and spacecraft impacts due to these updates.
  • Responsible for performing assessments of risk reduction plans associated with improving the maturity of payload design and hardware.
  • Responsible for working with contacts at prime and subcontractors to ensure work is on schedule and progressing.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor in Electrical Engineering or a technical field such as Physics, Math, or Astronautics with 9 years or more of experience; Masters with 7 years of experience or PhD and 4 years of experience.
  • Experience with Satellite RF systems
  • Ability to describe technical issues with designing SIGINT satellites.
  • Clearly demonstrate a working knowledge of the NRO satellite acquisition processes.
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of orbital mechanics and environmental effects on a SIGINT satellite.
  • Proven ability to effectively work with a large team of Government, FFRDC, and SETA contractors as well as Developers.
  • Ability to convey complex technical and programmatic issues concisely to senior management

About SAIC

SAIC

SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation) is one of the largest technology integrators supporting the U.S. Department of Defense, intelligence community, and federal civilian agencies. The company delivers mission-critical services across engineering, IT modernization, cybersecurity, intelligence, and systems integration, helping government customers operate and secure complex national security infrastructure at scale.

For job seekers, SAIC offers a wide range of career opportunities in software engineering, cybersecurity, cloud computing, systems engineering, data analytics, intelligence analysis, program management, and mission support. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and technologists seeking stable, long-term roles embedded in high-impact government programs across defense and intelligence missions.

Unlike defense manufacturers that build physical platforms, SAIC focuses on integrating, modernizing, and operating the digital and information systems that support government missions. Employees often work on large-scale federal programs involving network modernization, space and satellite systems support, cyber defense operations, and advanced data-driven decision-making tools used across defense and intelligence agencies.

As federal agencies continue investing heavily in cybersecurity, AI, cloud infrastructure, and digital transformation, SAIC remains one of the most important employers in the government services sector. For professionals seeking mission-driven work with strong stability and exposure to complex national security programs, SAIC continues to stand out as a leading destination in defense and federal technology services.

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