Software Systems Engineer

SAIC is looking for a Software Systems Engineer with Space Domain Operations experience in Chantilly, VA to support a very dynamic and innovative space program office in Chantilly, VA. The Software Systems Engineer supports the design, development, integration, test, deployment, and sustainment of software systems for advanced space vehicle programs. This position serves as a key technical contributor across the system lifecycle, ensuring software solutions meet mission requirements, interface seamlessly with flight and ground systems, and comply with programmatic, security, safety, and quality standards.
The Software Systems Engineer collaborates with software developers, systems engineers, mission operations personnel, cybersecurity specialists, and program leadership to deliver reliable, mission-critical capabilities that support spacecraft operations and mission success.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze stakeholder, mission, and system requirements and translate them into software and interface requirements.
• Develop and maintain software architecture products, interface control documents (ICDs), and system engineering artifacts.
• Support software requirements decomposition, allocation, verification, and validation activities throughout the development lifecycle.
• Collaborate with flight software, ground software, cybersecurity, and hardware engineering teams to ensure end-to-end system integration.
• Participate in system design reviews, software technical reviews, and program milestone events including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and ORR.
• Develop and maintain requirements traceability between mission objectives, system requirements, software specifications, and verification activities.
• Support software integration, test planning, execution, anomaly resolution, and operational readiness activities.
• Perform system modeling, performance analysis, and trade studies to evaluate technical solutions and support engineering decisions.
• Coordinate software configuration management, change control, and release activities.
• Assist in risk identification, mitigation planning, and technical issue resolution.
• Support mission operations, anomaly investigations, software upgrades, and post-launch sustainment activities as required.
• Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace, cybersecurity, quality assurance, and mission assurance standards.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 9+ years of experience supporting software engineering, systems engineering, or software integration activities.
• Experience with the systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements development, design, integration, test, verification, and validation.
• Knowledge of software development methodologies including Agile, DevSecOps, and traditional waterfall approaches.
• Experience supporting complex integrated systems in aerospace, defense, intelligence, or space environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment.
• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph security clearance required.
• U.S. Citizenship required

Desired:

• Experience supporting spacecraft, satellite, launch vehicle, or ground control systems.
• Knowledge of flight software architectures and command-and-control systems.
• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and SysML.
• Familiarity with space communication protocols, telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) systems.
• Experience with software integration laboratories, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and mission simulations.
• Understanding of cybersecurity requirements for space systems.
• Familiarity with digital engineering principles and modern software factory environments.