Lead Satellite SETA at SAIC, Chantilly, VA
Lead Satellite SETA at SAIC in Chantilly, VA. Contract. Est. up to $160k. Apply with swipeandhired.
SAIC is seeking a seasoned Lead Satellite SETA to support a highly dynamic and innovative national security space program office in Chantilly, VA, serving the Intelligence Community. In this role, you will be the primary technical and programmatic advisor to a Government Division Chief, leading the SETA team that oversees satellite unit and subsystem design, development, integration, and delivery. This position offers direct influence on mission-critical space capabilities of national importance, high visibility with senior government leadership, and the opportunity to shape next-generation satellite architectures.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Serve as the trusted technical and programmatic advisor to the Division Chief, providing informed recommendations on satellite architecture, design trades, development strategies, risk posture, and acquisition decisions.
- Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary SETA team, including managing workload, setting priorities, and developing staff to ensure high-quality technical support to the government.
- Oversee and coordinate integration across space vehicles, payload, ground segment, AI&T, and systems engineering divisions to ensure end-to-end mission success and system-of-systems coherence.
- Evaluate prime contractor performance at major milestones (PDR, CDR, integration reviews, test readiness, delivery), assessing compliance with technical requirements, quality of deliverables, and schedule/cost objectives.
- Identify and articulate program risks, issues, and opportunities; drive mitigation strategies, technical trade studies, and course-of-action analyses for leadership decision-making.
- Plan, run, and facilitate Division staff meetings and technical forums, fostering effective communication, alignment, and collaboration across government and contractor stakeholders.
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical field and 20+ years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree and 15+ years of relevant experience. If no degree, 4 additional years of experience can be substituted for the Bachelor’s degree.
- Strong satellite systems engineering background, including experience with spacecraft buses, payloads, subsystems, and/or end-to-end space system architectures.
- Demonstrated experience supporting major government acquisition programs (DoD, Intelligence Community, or NASA), including participation in major decision reviews and milestone processes.
- Proven ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts and programmatic issues to senior government stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, or managing technical teams in a government/contractor/SETA environment.
Clearance Requirements:
- Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance with polygraph is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, electrical engineering, or related technical discipline.
- Experience with the full lifecycle of national security space systems, from concept development and requirements definition through design, integration and test, launch, and on-orbit operations.
- Direct experience with Intelligence Community or NRO-like satellite programs, including familiarity with IC acquisition processes, mission assurance, and security requirements.
- Strong interpersonal, leadership, and team-building skills with a proven track record of effectiveness in mixed government/contractor teams.
- Experience assessing technical baselines, supporting configuration/change control boards, and driving resolution of complex technical issues.
- Background in high-reliability or mission-critical systems, or experience in rapidly evolving, high-tempo program office environments.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to work on-site daily in a secure, office-based environment in Chantilly, VA.
- Ability to attend in-person meetings, briefings, and reviews, including occasional movement between buildings/facilities within the local area.
- Ability to work at a computer, participate in meetings, and conduct technical reviews for extended periods.
2026.10.2