Senior Systems Engineer

Senior Systems Engineer

SAIC is seeking a highly motivated and technically versatile Senior Systems Engineer to support the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane and the Office of Strategic Weapons Acquisition & Sustainability (OSW A&S) Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program. In this role, the candidate will serve as a Technology Project Officer (TPO) within the kinetics portfolio, with a primary focus on solid rocket motor (SRM) technology projects and various other kinetics-related efforts.

The ideal candidate brings a unique combination of energetics and propulsion domain expertise, quality assurance and manufacturing background, systems engineering discipline, and program execution experience. This is a hybrid/telework position requiring regular engagement at the NSWC Crane customer site and periodic travel to vendor and industrial base locations across the continental United States.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as Technology Project Officer (TPO) for solid rocket motor and other kinetics portfolio technology projects, managing technical scope, schedule, and deliverables on behalf of the IBAS program
• Conduct Industrial Base Analysis activities including vendor assessments, manufacturing capability evaluations, and supply chain risk identification for solid rocket motor and kinetics-related components
• Support sustainment planning for energetics and propulsion systems by evaluating supplier readiness, production capacity, and quality management systems at CONUS vendor sites
• Coordinate and facilitate technical interchange meetings (TIMs), program reviews, and working groups with NSWC Crane stakeholders, program offices, and industry partners
• Develop and deliver technical reports, white papers, briefings, and CDRLs in support of program milestones and customer requirements
• Apply systems engineering principles to assess technology maturity (TRL/MRL), identify gaps, and recommend investment strategies within the kinetics portfolio
• Collaborate with government and contractor teams to evaluate quality and manufacturing processes at the component and system level, identifying risks and opportunities for improvement
• Support critical design reviews, interim program reviews, and other technical gate reviews as required
• Leverage knowledge of propellant formulation, energetic materials, and warhead systems to provide subject matter expertise during vendor assessments and technology evaluations
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies and industrial base trends relevant to solid rocket motors and kinetics systems

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelors in Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience
• Active Top Secret clearance required at time of hire
• 6+ years of combined experience in systems engineering, energetics/propulsion, quality assurance, or manufacturing engineering in a defense or government contracting environment
• Demonstrated experience with solid rocket motors, propellant formulation, or energetic materials in a research, production, or program support capacity
• Background in quality assurance and/or manufacturing engineering, including familiarity with quality management systems, process controls, and supplier quality evaluation
• Experience supporting program reviews, technical documentation, and CDRL development in a DoD acquisition environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical findings to senior government and industry stakeholders
• Ability to travel up to 25% CONUS to vendor and industrial base sites
• Ability to support on-site customer meetings 1-2 days per week at NSWC Crane, Indiana

Preferred Qualifications

• Research focus in energetics, propellants, or related fields
• Direct experience with solid rocket motor programs in a DoD or Navy acquisition context
• Familiarity with NSWC Crane, Naval Acquisition programs, or OSW A&S program structure
• Experience conducting internal or supplier audits in a defense manufacturing environment, including familiarity with AS9100, CMMI, or equivalent quality frameworks
• Earned Value Management (EVM) knowledge or CAM certification
• Proficiency with SysML/Cameo or other model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools
• Experience with Parts, Materials, and Processes (PMP) engineering in a missile or munitions program context
• Familiarity with AFATDS, fire control systems, or kinetics/fires domain from a military or defense perspective
• Prior military service with experience in fires, combat engineering, or explosive systems is highly desirable
• Proficiency with analytical tools including Python, Explo5, or equivalent computational platforms relevant to energetics analysis

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.