NRO Payload Engineer

NRO Payload Engineer

Location: Chantilly, VA, United States Date Posted: May 15, 2026 Category: Engineering and Sciences Subcategory: Systems Engineer Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel: Yes - 10% of the time Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI_wPoly Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None Potential for Remote Work: On-Site

Job Description

SAIC is seeking a Payload Subject Matter Expert to support the NRO GEOINT Directorate. This is a Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support position to assist in acquiring a new satellite and payloads for the future GEOINT space architecture. The candidate will support acquisition activities and provide space vehicle and payload design expertise for protection capabilities. Qualified candidates must possess demonstrated satellite/payload technical expertise and be able to work both independently and in a team-based environment.

Key duties/responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assist with the execution of satellite and payload design trade studies. Evaluate system and payload designs, as necessary, to determine if the proposed design and supporting protection capabilities are adequate to meet required performance thresholds.
• Assess protection capabilities technical performance and modeling and simulation results.
• Assess Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and identify risks to program plans and schedules, and support development of acquisition plans.
• Assist in managing requirements development, flow-down and traceability. Assist with ensuring compliance to interfaces and design standards.
• Support the development of requirement documents and acquisition plans.
• Participate as a technical advisor during Government source selections to evaluate development contractor proposals and provide down-selection recommendations to source selection authorities.
• Following selection of a development contractor, participate in monitoring and evaluating payload design constraints as the payload matures through its phases. Identify technical design risks and potential impacts to program plans.
• Expect Travel within the U.S. approximately 10% of the time.

Qualifications:

• B.S. Engineering with 14 years or more experience; Masters and 12 years or more experience; PhD and 9 years or more experience Qualifications:
• Remote sensing satellite acquisition experience, specifically writing and evaluating requirements, and assessing development contractor performance
• Expertise with imaging sensor functionality and performance
• Demonstrated ability to conduct analysis and evaluations – able to synthesize large amounts of data/information concisely
• Ability to apply technical expertise and summarize information/findings for presentation to Government leadership
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with an ability to be flexible to adjust to dynamic technical guidance

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