Aerospace Engr Chief (Senior Technical Advisor)

About the role

Join a mission-driven satellite program at the forefront of national defense innovation. Our team is developing cutting-edge technologies that directly support critical Department of War priorities, combining both proven and first-of-their-kind capabilities that have never been applied in space. Operating within a fast-paced acquisition environment, we benefit from streamlined authorities and direct access to senior Government decision-makers, enabling us to move quickly and execute aggressive schedules using the most innovative contracting strategies available. SAIC is seeking self-directed leaders who skillfully navigate ambiguity, solve complex challenges, and bring diverse expertise to a dynamic environment focused on delivering capability rapidly. Success here requires adaptability, initiative, and a willingness to wear multiple hats in support of a high-impact mission.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Consultation and Organizational Alignment:
  • Serve as a trusted partner to the Project Management Office (PMO) in aligning program objectives with the customer’s priorities while managing competing demands and fostering operational balance.
  • Provide high-level advisory support to align technical and operational initiatives with the overarching goals and requirements of the program and the customer.
  • Coordinate programmatic efforts across multiple workstreams to ensure alignment and collaboration between engineering, design, construction, and other technical teams.
  • Identify and evaluate critical risks, challenges, and opportunities across the program to maintain focus on priority actions and effective solutions.
  • Deliver concise, accurate, and actionable reporting on technical and operational progress, ensuring that the right stakeholders are informed and engaged at key milestones.
• Professional Guidance and Technical Proficiency:
  • Serve as the senior technical advisor, providing subject matter expertise to address complex design, engineering, and construction challenges.
  • Ensure that all technical solutions meet the customer’s performance, quality, and compliance requirements while balancing operational feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
  • Provide input and oversight during technical reviews and key decision points, ensuring alignment to program objectives and organizational priorities.
  • Promote the use of leading practices, innovation, and professional excellence across all technical and engineering workstreams.
• Engaging Stakeholders and Communicating:
  • Act as a trusted point of contact for high-level communications and technical briefings, ensuring the timely dissemination of updates and performance insights to the customer and key stakeholders.
  • Build and maintain trust-based relationships with government and external stakeholders to ensure mutual alignment, confidence, and collaboration throughout the program.
  • Proactively identify stakeholder concerns, evolving requirements, and feedback to ensure the effective adjustment of technical and operational efforts.

Qualifications

• TYPICAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Bachelor’s and eighteen (18) years or more experience;
  • Master’s and sixteen (16) years or more experience;
  • PhD or JD and fifteen (15) years or more experience.
• Required Qualifications:
  • Technical expertise across systems engineering discipline, capable of consulting on and resolving complex challenges.
  • Strong ability to manage competing demands, coordinate diverse workstreams, and ensure alignment with overarching objectives.
  • Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills to serve as a trusted advisor for leadership and government partners.
  • Skilled in analyzing data, assessing risks, and identifying actionable insights to maintain program health and efficiency.
  • Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team building and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to be effective in a government/contractor team environment.
  • Experience providing systems engineering support and technical guidance in the acquisition, development, and deployment of satellite systems.
  • Ability to work in a very dynamic environment and effectively interact with numerous DOD, military/civilian personnel and industry partners.
  • Ability to facilitate technical discussions with SMEs.
  • Ability to communicate with a diverse audience of senior decision makers with varying levels of programmatic and technical expertise.
  • Effective communication, coordination, and customer engagement skills.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and team environment with no supervision.
  • TS/SCI (Poly preferred)
  • Previous SAP experience desired.

Pay

Target salary range: $200,001 – $240,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.