Space Experiments System Engineer

SAIC, a leading provider of systems development & deployment, targeting & intelligence analysis, systems engineering & integration, and training capabilities and solutions for the Intelligence Community, is seeking a Space Experiments System Engineer to support systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) services to a United States Government customer in Chantilly, VA. SETA contractors provide analysis and engineering services in a consulting capacity, working closely with the government’s own engineering staff members. This is a critical role within a team, designed to support a government Program Manager (PM) and Principal Investigator (PI) in ensuring the success and smooth operation of space experiment activities. This role requires a blend of technical, organizational, and communications skills, and is fundamental in driving strategic and operational success within a government program. 

Responsibilities: 

Experiment Management and Nominations: 

• Track and manage experiment nominations within a centralized spreadsheet, ensuring that all critical information is accurately documented and maintained. 
• Collaborate with the PI to oversee the submission of experiment documents to include Interface Control Documents (ICD) and software, ensuring they are cataloged, verified for accuracy, and useable. Request updates and corrections as necessary. 

Stakeholder Coordination and AI&T Support: 

• Serve as the primary point of contact for experiment teams, ensuring timely communication and submission of necessary documentation for Assembly Integration and Test (AI&T) and demonstration purposes. 
• Liaise with space vehicle providers to obtain and catalog user guides, ICDs, and other integration details, facilitating faster onboarding of potential experiments. 

Data Management and Record Maintenance: 

• Maintain an up-to-date database of all experimenters, suppliers, industry partners, academic contributors, and other stakeholders in the space experiments domain across the U.S. Government (USG) including comprehensive information on ~400 companies from the small satellite industry.
• Ensure that relevant information is documented and archived within the internal Confluence webpage for easy access, thereby enhancing knowledge retention and operational continuity within the team. 

Support for Strategic Review Processes: 

• Assist the PI and PM by preparing and presenting experiment details. This support is vital in evaluating the feasibility of experiments within the given manifest windows, ensuring well-informed and sound decision-making. 

Collaboration and Liaison: 

• Work closely with the PI, PM, and other team members to support the successful integration of experiments, ensuring that they have appropriate transition partners. 
• Facilitate communication between experiment nominations and Program Offices to ensure alignment with customer goals and to clarify the pathway for experiment transitions. This coordination helps reduce risk and positions experiments for successful outcomes. 

Reporting and Communication: 

• Provide consistent updates to the PM and PI regarding the status of experiment nominations, documentation submissions, AI&T processes, and any issues that arise. 
• Contribute to a culture of continuous process improvement by identifying inefficiencies and proposing solutions aimed at streamlining experiment management, AI&T, and integration processes.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s and fourteen (14) years or more experience; master’s and twelve (12) years or more experience; Degree in Engineering, Science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred. 
• Strong technical and administrative skills; familiarity with space technologies is a plus. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to coordinate across multiple teams and organizations. 
• Proficiency in data management and experience with collaboration tools like Confluence and other project management software. 
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. 
• A passion for space exploration and emerging technologies, combined with a commitment to staying informed on the latest industry trends.
• Must be a US Citizen with an active TS/SCI w/Poly.