Senior Principal Systems Engineer

Description SAIC is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer to support Naval communications and networking programs in support of DoD customers. This role serves as a senior principal individual contributor responsible for full lifecycle systems engineering across complex Navy afloat and shore network programs including architecture design, validation and verification, test planning, and sustainment engineering. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in Navy communications systems engineering, a strong understanding of DoD network architecture design and implementation, and demonstrated experience leading complex systems engineering efforts across multiple simultaneous programs. This position requires direct engagement with government program managers, fleet stakeholders, and cross-functional engineering teams to deliver reliable, scalable, and secure worldwide naval communications capabilities. This role operates with significant independence, serving as a senior technical authority on complex systems engineering challenges across CONUS and OCONUS installations. The successful candidate will be a proven systems engineering leader capable of resolving high-priority fleet communication problems, driving baseline changes, and delivering innovative engineering solutions at an affordable life‑cycle cost while serving as a prime technical contact and organizational spokesperson on significant systems engineering matters. This role is a REMOTE role that requires candidate to reside in SAN DIEGO, CA. Key Responsibilities Serve as Senior Principal Systems Engineer providing technical leadership across Navy afloat and shore network programs including CANES, ADNS, and related C4I systems. Lead solution engineering efforts to achieve higher levels of performance, increased operational effect, and decreased operational risk delivered at an affordable life‑cycle cost. Perform Validation and Verification of system architecture across multiple Navy communications programs. Lead and develop shore configuration design upgrades including routing and switching to deploy, maintain, and secure reliable worldwide communications for the Naval fleet. Develop and deliver system design specifications identifying technical solutions for subtasks including functional configuration and security controls for all system configurations. Plan and execute tests; identify milestones and timeframes associated with integrated test milestone events including Development Test (DT) and Operational Test (OT). Provide solution engineering including threshold metrics indicating minimum performance required to achieve required operational effects while being achievable through current state of technology at an affordable life‑cycle cost. Perform system analysis of data architecture and interface design to deliver implementation plans with traceability of system performance and design specifications to plan parameters. Design, plan, and optimize system architecture to successfully reduce risk and mitigate service interruption during major IT transition projects. Develop and deliver implementation plans including system checks to ensure implemented solutions are working in accordance with system performance thresholds and objectives metrics without disrupting existing services. Plan future capabilities and execute baseline changes as Systems Engineering Lead across multiple Navy programs. Coordinate multiple engineering entities across geographically dispersed sites including SSA SSC PAC, NCTAMSPAC, NCTAMSLANT, NCTS Naples, and NTCS Bahrain to complete projects on time. Conduct Certification and Accreditation (C&A) activities in accordance with Navy Operational Designated Approving Authority (ODAA) procedures. Serve as organizational spokesperson and prime technical contact on significant systems engineering matters requiring coordination between multiple organizations. Qualifications Education : Bachelors and fourteen (14) years or more experience; Masters and twelve (12) years or more experience; PhD or JD and nine (9) years or more experience. Experience : 15+ years of professional systems engineering experience with demonstrated senior principal-level contributions in Navy communications and networking programs. Clearance : Active TS/SCI clearance to start. Certifications : CompTIA Security +. Technical Expertise : Navy afloat and shore network systems, routing and switching architecture, C4I systems integration, DoD Certification and Accreditation processes. Travel : Occasional Travel of 15% to CONUS and OCONUS naval installations. Duty Location : San Diego, CA. Desired Skills CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE strongly preferred. Experience supporting CANES, ADNS, BMD MTJ, or CDLMS Navy communications programs. Familiarity with NCTAMSPAC, NCTAMSLANT, NCTS Naples, or NTCS Bahrain shore network architectures. Experience developing and executing test plans for Application Integration and System Integration Test at Unit Level and Force Level. Background in wireless network engineering and enterprise wireless architecture design. Experience with multicast routing enterprise architecture design and implementation. Familiarity with CYBERFOR redundant design requirements and implementation. Experience coordinating large-scale Navy IT transition projects including NOC transitions. Demonstrated experience resolving high-priority fleet communication problems requiring complex engineering solutions. CCIE Routing & Switching written certification or equivalent advanced Cisco credentials. Experience with ADNS Shore System Tech Refresh and legacy Shore System architecture modernization. Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors. #J-18808-Ljbffr