Chief Engineer

Job Description

Description


SAIC is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Chief Engineer for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I), and Counter-Unmanned Systems (C-UXS) to lead the technical development, integration, and operational deployment of advanced multi-domain capabilities. The Chief Engineer will serve as the primary technical authority for a portfolio of ISR, C3I, and C-UXS programs, providing visionary leadership across the full system lifecycle from concept development through fielding and sustainment. This role requires a strategic thinker with extensive expertise in systems engineering, program management, and technology innovation to ensure the delivery of high-quality, operationally effective solutions that address the full spectrum of unmanned and asymmetric threats while enhancing command, control, and intelligence capabilities for our government and defense customers.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and technical leadership for the development, integration, and deployment of ISR, C3I, and C-UXS systems across multiple programs and platforms
• Serve as the primary technical authority for all engineering activities related to ISR sensor systems, C3I architectures, and counter-unmanned aircraft, ground, and surface vehicle (C-UAS, C-UGV, C-USV) technologies
• Oversee the design, integration, testing, and validation of multi-domain ISR collection capabilities, C3I communication and data link architectures, and C-UXS detection, tracking, identification, and defeat systems
• Lead cross-functional engineering teams across hardware, software, systems, and integration disciplines to ensure cohesive and efficient execution of ISR, C3I, and C-UXS program objectives
• Provide technical oversight of system architecture decisions, trade studies, and engineering design reviews including System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), and Critical Design Reviews (CDR)
• Ensure technical solutions align with government customer requirements, operational concepts, and mission needs across ISR, C3I, and C-UXS domains

Program & Project Management

• Manage multiple concurrent ISR, C3I, and C-UXS projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget
• Develop and maintain comprehensive program plans, integrated master schedules (IMS), work breakdown structures (WBS), and budgets across the C-UXS and ISR portfolio
• Communicate program status, technical risks, and mitigation strategies to senior SAIC leadership, government program offices, and key stakeholders
• Identify and manage technical risks associated with ISR sensor integration, C3I interoperability, and C-UXS defeat mechanism effectiveness
• Support proposal development, cost estimation, and technical volume preparation for new ISR, C3I, and C-UXS business opportunities

Systems Engineering

• Ensure that all ISR, C3I, and C-UXS systems meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, interoperability, and safety in accordance with government requirements and applicable standards
• Lead the development and implementation of systems engineering processes and best practices consistent with DoD acquisition frameworks and applicable standards including MIL-STD, IEEE, and EIA-632
• Oversee the creation and management of comprehensive technical documentation including system requirements specifications, interface control documents (ICDs), design specifications, test and evaluation plans, and system safety analyses
• Ensure ISR systems deliver required collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination (CPED) capabilities across multi-domain environments
• Ensure C3I architectures support seamless command and control, secure communications, and real-time intelligence fusion across joint and coalition networks
• Ensure C-UXS systems provide integrated and layered detection, tracking, identification, and kinetic or non-kinetic defeat capabilities against the full spectrum of unmanned threats including UAS, UGV, and USV

Innovation & Research and Development

• Drive innovation in ISR, C3I, and C-UXS technologies through targeted research and development initiatives aligned with emerging threat environments and government capability gaps
• Stay current with the latest advancements in unmanned systems, counter-unmanned technologies, ISR sensor modalities, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) applications, and C3I communication architectures
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies with potential application to ISR collection enhancement, C3I network modernization, and C-UXS defeat effectiveness
• Foster a culture of innovation, intellectual curiosity, and continuous improvement within the ISR, C3I, and C-UXS engineering teams
• Lead and support independent research and development (IR&D) activities to advance SAIC's technical capabilities in the ISR, C3I, and C-UXS domains
• Engage with academic institutions, industry partners, and government research organizations to identify collaborative opportunities and technology transition pathways

Collaboration & Stakeholder Communication

• Serve as the primary contractor technical point of contact for all ISR, C3I, and C-UXS programs, interfacing directly with government program offices, test agencies, and operational end users
• Collaborate with government agencies, combatant commands, and defense customers to understand evolving ISR collection requirements, C3I interoperability needs, and C-UXS operational challenges
• Facilitate effective communication and technical collaboration among engineering teams, program managers, contracts personnel, and other internal and external stakeholders
• Represent SAIC at government program reviews, technical interchange meetings (TIMs), industry conferences, and working groups focused on ISR, C3I, and C-UXS capabilities
• Coordinate with government test and evaluation organizations to support developmental and operational testing of ISR, C3I, and C-UXS systems
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government customers, subcontractors, and technology partners across the ISR, C3I, and C-UXS ecosystem

Qualifications


Minimum Requirements and Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field; advanced degree strongly preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in systems engineering, with at least 5 years in a technical leadership or chief engineer role
• Extensive hands-on experience with C-UXS technologies, including multi-sensor detection, tracking, identification, and kinetic and non-kinetic defeat of unmanned aerial, ground, and surface systems
• Demonstrated experience with ISR systems, including sensor integration, multi-INT data fusion, and CPED architectures across airborne, ground, and maritime platforms
• Proven knowledge of C3I architectures, including secure communications, data links, network-centric operations, and intelligence fusion systems
• Proven track record of managing complex, multi-disciplinary engineering programs from concept development through operational deployment
• Strong understanding of DoD systems engineering principles, acquisition processes, and applicable technical standards
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills with demonstrated ability to interface effectively with senior government officials
• Ability to think strategically, drive technical innovation, and translate operational requirements into engineering solutions
  Proficiency in program management tools, techniques, and integrated master scheduling
• Active Secret Clearance or ability to obtain and maintain required clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Extensive experience working directly with DoD, intelligence community, or other government and defense agencies on ISR, C3I, or C-UXS programs
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements, standards, and policies governing unmanned systems, counter-unmanned systems, and ISR operations including applicable FAA, DoD, and NATO frameworks
• Familiarity with AI/ML applications for autonomous threat detection, ISR data exploitation, and C-UXS decision support
• Experience with electronic warfare (EW) techniques and technologies as applied to C-UXS defeat mechanisms
• Knowledge of RF spectrum management, signal intelligence (SIGINT), and electronic intelligence (ELINT) systems relevant to ISR and C-UXS operations
• Experience with Agile, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), or DevSecOps development methodologies applied to defense systems
• Certification in Project Management (PMP) or Systems Engineering (INCOSE CSEP/ESEP) or equivalent
• Familiarity with DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF) and its application to C3I and ISR system design
• Experience supporting test and evaluation activities including developmental test (DT) and operational test (OT) for ISR, C3I, or C-UXS systems

Overview


SAIC accepts applications on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.

SAIC® is a premier 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, intelligence, and civilian 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 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.