Chief Engineer

About the role

The Chief Engineer will lead the technical development, integration, and operational deployment of advanced multi-domain capabilities in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I), and Counter-Unmanned Systems (C-UXS).

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and technical leadership for the development, integration, and deployment of ISR, C3I, and C-UXS systems across multiple programs and platforms.
• Serve as the primary technical authority for all engineering activities related to ISR sensor systems, C3I architectures, and counter-unmanned aircraft, ground, and surface vehicle (C-UAS, C-UGV, C-USV) technologies.
• Oversee the design, integration, testing, and validation of multi-domain ISR collection capabilities, C3I communication and data link architectures, and C-UXS detection, tracking, identification, and defeat systems.
• Lead cross-functional engineering teams across hardware, software, systems, and integration disciplines to ensure cohesive and efficient execution of ISR, C3I, and C-UXS program objectives.
• Ensure technical solutions align with government customer requirements, operational concepts, and mission needs across ISR, C3I, and C-UXS domains.
• Manage multiple concurrent ISR, C3I, and C-UXS projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive program plans, integrated master schedules (IMS), work breakdown structures (WBS), and budgets across the C-UXS and ISR portfolio.
• Communicate program status, technical risks, and mitigation strategies to senior SAIC leadership, government program offices, and key stakeholders.
• Identify and manage technical risks associated with ISR sensor integration, C3I interoperability, and C-UXS defeat mechanism effectiveness.
• Support proposal development, cost estimation, and technical volume preparation for new ISR, C3I, and C-UXS business opportunities.
• Ensure that all ISR, C3I, and C-UXS systems meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, interoperability, and safety in accordance with government requirements and applicable standards.
• Drive innovation in ISR, C3I, and C-UXS technologies through targeted research and development initiatives aligned with emerging threat environments and government capability gaps.
• Lead and support independent research and development (IR&D) activities to advance SAIC's technical capabilities in the ISR, C3I, and C-UXS domains.
• Engage with academic institutions, industry partners, and government research organizations to identify collaborative opportunities and technology transition pathways.
• Serve as the primary contractor technical point of contact for all ISR, C3I, and C-UXS programs, interfacing directly with government program offices, test agencies, and operational end users.
• Collaborate with government agencies, combatant commands, and defense customers to understand evolving ISR collection requirements, C3I interoperability needs, and C-UXS operational challenges.
• Facilitate effective communication and technical collaboration among engineering teams, program managers, contracts personnel, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent SAIC at government program reviews, technical interchange meetings (TIMs), industry conferences, and working groups focused on ISR, C3I, and C-UXS capabilities.
• Coordinate with government test and evaluation organizations to support developmental and operational testing of ISR, C3I, and C-UXS systems.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government customers, subcontractors, and technology partners across the ISR, C3I, and C-UXS ecosystem.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field; advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in systems engineering, with at least 5 years in a technical leadership or chief engineer role.
• Extensive hands-on experience with C-UXS technologies, including multi-sensor detection, tracking, identification, and kinetic and non-kinetic defeat of unmanned aerial, ground, and surface systems.
• Demonstrated experience with ISR systems, including sensor integration, multi-INT data fusion, and CPED architectures across airborne, ground, and maritime platforms.
• Proven knowledge of C3I architectures, including secure communications, data links, network-centric operations, and intelligence fusion systems.
• Proven track record of managing complex, multi-disciplinary engineering programs from concept development through operational deployment.
• Strong understanding of DoD systems engineering principles, acquisition processes, and applicable technical standards.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills with demonstrated ability to interface effectively with senior government officials.
• Ability to think strategically, drive technical innovation, and translate operational requirements into engineering solutions.
• Proficiency in program management tools, techniques, and integrated master scheduling.
• Active Secret Clearance or ability to obtain and maintain required clearance.