Principal Systems Engineer

SAIC has an immediate opening on a program in Chantilly for a Principal Systems Engineer. In this position, you will serve as a key resource in supporting operational tool development, evaluation, training, and customer engagement activities. This position requires a broad technical background, operational field experience, and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, vendors, field personnel, and customer stakeholders. You will play an integral role in identifying operational requirements, supporting tool development initiatives, providing training, and serving as a liaison with industry and government partners.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Support and Tool Development:

- Participate in technical discussions with engineers, vendors, and field operations personnel to ensure operational requirements are incorporated into new tool development efforts
- Evaluate specialized equipment and technologies and provide recommendations regarding capabilities, suitability, and operational application
- Contribute to discussions on future technology development, equipment enhancements, and program direction
- Support ongoing evaluation efforts for specialized audio and operational tools
- Maintain awareness of emerging technologies and identify opportunities to incorporate new capabilities into operational activities.

Vendor and External Partner Engagement:

- Serve as a primary liaison with vendors regarding equipment development, testing, and operational applications
- Regularly attend vendor meetings to discuss current and future technology developments
- Maintain relationships with technical specialists across government agencies to exchange information on emerging tools, best practices, and operational capabilities
- Identify and evaluate external technologies for possible integration into mission operations

Training and Instruction:

- Serve as a lead instructor for specialized operational training courses, including participation in multi-week drill training programs
- Develop and deliver technical briefings and presentations to audiences of varying experience levels
- Train new personnel in the operation and application of specialized equipment and tools
- Support customer training initiatives, orientation programs, mission history briefings, and operational demonstrations
- Assist with outreach events designed to showcase operational capabilities and technologies

Operational Support:

- Assist in drafting, reviewing, and coordinating operational cables and related communications on a daily basis
- Provide operational guidance and mentorship to junior officers and newly assigned personnel
- Support program activities requiring operational expertise in drill programs, tools, techniques, and field operations
- Contribute to mission planning and operational readiness initiatives as required

Briefings and Stakeholder Engagement:

- Prepare and present recurring Points of Interest (POI) briefings and other program updates to customers and stakeholders
- Communicate technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Represent the organization at meetings, training events, demonstrations, and working groups

- Must currently hold a TS/SCI and Poly to be considered
- 10 or more years of relevant experience
- Bachelor's Degree or relevant experience can be substituted for the degree
- Broad technical background with the ability to understand and discuss complex equipment and technology systems
- Operational field experience
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent priorities
- Experience evaluating technical equipment and providing operational feedback
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience developing and delivering training and presentations
- Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, vendors, customers, and operational personnel
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to mentor junior personnel

Travel Requirements:

- Ability to travel on Temporary Duty (TDY) assignments approximately 10% of the time to attend vendor meetings, training events, equipment evaluations, and other mission-related activities