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Senior Principal Systems Engineer with Security Clearance

SAICChantilly, VA🇺🇸United StatesPosted Oct 2, 2026

Why This Role Stands Out

This hybrid leadership role offers significant impact on revolutionary multi-intelligence solutions with a competitive salary of $160,001-$200,000, perfect for a systems engineering leader ready to provide expert technical guidance and shape future ground systems for the NRO. You'll thrive by leveraging your extensive experience in systems engineering and creative thought-leadership within a dynamic environment, contributing to critical national security missions.

Quick Overview

Salary
$160.0k - $200k/yr
Seniority
Leader
Work mode
Hybrid
Location
Chantilly, VA, United States
Posted
4 days ago
ScrumAgileJiraKanban

Job Description

Description SAIC is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer to fill a critical position supporting a large SETA program supporting the NRO's Ground Enterprise Directorate (GED) in Chantilly, VA. The job requires the ability to flexibly manage task execution, provide technical/professional expertise on a variety of Systems Engineering topics, and advise the government on program activities. All candidates must have an active TS/SCI clearance with CI Polygraph. A successful candidate in this position will bring a record of application of systems engineering and creative thought-leadership to mature and develop revolutionary multi-intelligence solutions. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Provide technical leadership in planning capabilities needed to better support mission operations (e.g. automation, resiliency, situational awareness, etc.)
  • Analyze user needs, develop concepts of operation, and high-level systems architectures, and define capability needs and system requirements
  • Work with government and contractor points of contact across multiple Agencies, Directorates and Offices to refine future ground system capabilities
  • Identify and communicate key architecture and system level trades, system engineering risks, issues, opportunities, and dependencies
  • Support integration of architectures with other components of the technical baseline
  • Collaborate with SETA team members, engineers from various contractor and government organizations, and mission users
  • Develop assessments and briefings to a variety of audiences to convey information in crisp, articulate manner Qualifications Required Education and Experience
  • Bachelors and fourteen (14) years or more experience; Masters and twelve (12) years or more experience.
  • Ability to obtain a Top Secret/SCI clearance with polygraph
  • Proven experience in core systems engineering and analysis disciplines and processes
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic, and energetic environment
  • Demonstrated ability to work as a team player requiring collaboration and open communication
  • Strong oral and written communication skills Desired Education and Experience :
  • Advanced degree in STEM (science, technical, engineering, math) or related discipline
  • Engineering, computer science, or information systems background
  • Ability to build, integrate and analyze MBSE architectural representations
  • Domain and tool knowledge in Agile software development practices (e.g. Scrum, DevOps, JIRA, Kanban)
  • Prior experience with data management services and cloud software architecture
  • Prior US military and/or IC customer experience Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

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