Question
10+

Senior Principal Systems Engineer

1/30/2026

The Senior Principal Systems Engineer will develop and implement integration strategies for satellite communication systems and manage technical baselines among stakeholders. They will also lead working group meetings and serve as a subject matter expert to address technical issues.

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

10,001+ employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

No

About The Company
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. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.5 billion.
About the Role

Performs a variety of engineering work in the development of an operable system capable of meeting requirements within imposed constraints including mass, cost and schedule. Designs and/or researches subsystem interfaces to ensure that subsystems are integrated and work together to form a viable complete system. Performs functional analysis of a system to ensure it meets performance criteria and mission constraints and to feed the analysis results back to the subsystem development teams. Formulates, recommends, and directs operations and procedures to resolve engineering and/or technical problems regarding operations, staffing, and equipment utilization on a specific project or projects. Provides technical assistance and instruction relative to design problems and the resolution of construction or operating difficulties. Conducts special studies and investigations related to project activities and recommends changes as appropriate to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and meet changed or new requirements. Analyzes project requirements and provides information and instruction for operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, designing, and modifying equipment as appropriate. Plans and coordinates the work of other engineers and technical personnel, with completed assignments subject to minimum review of overall results. Trains, directs, and assists the efforts of other personnel, as required, to fulfill the objectives of the assignment. Serves as organizational consultant; leads multi-discipline or cross-functional team(s). Under broad direction, interprets, organizes, executes, and coordinates assignments. Applies advanced theories, concepts, principles, and processes for an assigned area of responsibility such as a function or product. Job role contributes directly to value creation. May supervise lower level engineers. Performs all other duties as assigned. BS degree in an engineering discipline with at least 15 years of related experience. Master's Degree preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement integration strategies and processes to successfully integrate satellite communication systems, segments (Ground, Space, Crypto, Terminals), subsystems, elements, and components; manage the technical baselines among different stakeholders.
  • Perform analysis of the systems requirements that define the technical baseline and verification of the technical baseline.
  • Apply Digital Engineering methods and modeling strategies (i.e. Digital twins) to support integration and test activities.
  • Work with Government and contractor personnel to close gaps of customer requirements among the programs; support major requirements reviews, design reviews, and other associated meetings.
  • Lead and support Government/Contractor Working Group meetings—by developing briefings, leading discussion, and writing minutes—to address/resolve risks, issues, and action items.
  • Review proposed changes to the technical baseline for impacts to enterprise capabilities and to cross-stakeholder integration concerns.
  • Define and deliver alternative of solutions to address different integration challenges; manage schedule impact and overall delivery of products.
  • Facilitate review of program documents by providing comments, compiling other reviewer comments, and working with contractor to adjudicate the comments. 
  • Serve as a subject matter expert to assess technical issues and to prepare briefings to U.S. Space Force program office personnel and other stakeholders; provide courses of actions to support Government decisions.
  • Support management of risks, issues, interdependencies, identifying schedule disconnects and conflicts, developing action plans for resolution, and assisting the Government in executing selected solutions.


  • PhD in technical field, such as engineering, mathematics, physics, or computer science.
  • Experience with MILSATCOM, such as AEHF, PTS, EPS, WGS, and FAB-T terminal programs.
  • Experience working with military and DoD civilians.
  • Experience with ground and airborne systems, such as terminals and networks.
  • Demonstrated strong Systems Engineering and Technical Leadership experience.
  • Knowledge and experience in Agile Development and collaboration tools (Jira/Confluence).
Key Skills
Systems EngineeringTechnical LeadershipDigital EngineeringModeling StrategiesIntegration StrategiesRequirements AnalysisRisk ManagementAgile DevelopmentCollaboration ToolsMILSATCOMGround SystemsAirborne SystemsTechnical BaselineCross-Functional Team LeadershipProblem SolvingCustomer Requirements
Categories
EngineeringScience & ResearchTechnologyGovernment & Public Sector
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