Satellite Payload Engineer

Job ID: 2613701

Location: Chantilly, VA, US

Date Posted: 2026-07-07

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: TS/SCI with Poly

Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE

Description

SAIC is seeking a Satellite Payload Engineer to provide onsite systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) services in support of an SAIC Prime Program supporting the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in Chantilly, VA.

Note: Qualified candidates must have an active Top Secret/SCI clearance with the ability to obtain a Poly to be considered.

As a Satellite Payload Engineer, you will support technical efforts requiring deep expertise in satellite payload architecture, SAR payload development, SAR processing and image formation, and end-to-end image chain performance. You will apply hands-on satellite hardware experience and radar payload system knowledge to assess performance, resolve issues, and ensure seamless integration across space and ground segments. You will also drive enterprise-level trade studies to define and refine requirements for future satellite capabilities, supporting mission success across the full lifecycle.

Job Responsibilities to include.

• Evaluate satellite payload requirements compliance by working with the Prime contractor to analyze evidence, assess technical adequacy, and drive closure of open issues.
• Review test plans and results to evaluate payload performance at the unit, subsystem, and system levels, including SAR and radar payload components.
• Perform detailed analysis of SAR processing chains, image formation algorithms, calibration/validation data, and payload-to-ground data flow.
• Assist with understanding and resolving anomalies, performing root cause analysis, and identifying corrective actions, including evaluating technical and schedule impacts.
• Identify and assess emerging technical and programmatic risks at the enterprise, system, and subsystem levels, and collaborate with Prime and Subcontractor teams to develop and evaluate mitigation strategies.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with Prime and Subcontractor counterparts, functional teams, and subject matter experts to ensure effective collaboration.
• Evaluate entrance and exit criteria for major program reviews, such as Pre-Ship Reviews.
• Support trade studies to define and further develop requirements for future satellite systems, including next-generation SAR and radar payload capabilities.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree and fourteen (14) or more years of relevant experience; Master's degree and twelve (12) or more years; PhD or JD and nine (9) or more years.
• Active Top Secret /SCI with the ability to obtain a Poly
• SAR Payload Development - experience supporting the design, development, integration, verification, or performance assessment of SAR payloads.
• SAR Processing & Image Formation - strong understanding of SAR algorithms, image formation techniques, calibration/validation processes, and mission data processing chains.
• Satellite Hardware- hands-on experience with payload hardware, test equipment, unit- or subsystem-level integration, environmental testing, or hardware troubleshooting.
• Radar Payload Systems - experience in radar payload architectures, RF chains, waveform design, performance modeling, and radar-to-ground data interfaces.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, team-building, and analytical problem-solving skills, with demonstrated effectiveness in a government/contractor environment.

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.


SAIC is a premier technology integrator providing full life cycle services and solutions in the technical, engineering, intelligence, and enterprise information technology markets. SAIC is Redefining Ingenuity through its deep customer and domain knowledge to enable the delivery of systems engineering and integration offerings for large, complex projects. SAIC's approximately 15,000 employees are driven by integrity and mission focus to serve customers in the U.S. federal government. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $4.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see .