Command and Control Ground Analyst

Location: El Segundo, CA | Full-Time | Day Shift | Travel: Yes - 10% of the time | Clearance: Must be able to obtain TS/SCI with Poly

About the Role

SAIC is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Command and Control Ground Analyst to provide critical technical expertise to Government ground mission managers. In this pivotal role, you will support all phases of planning, development, and execution for national security satellite operation and the advanced constellation of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) satellites dedicated to space-based surveillance and reconnaissance missions. You will design, develop, and maintain state-of-the-art ground segment infrastructure, bridging the gap between spacecraft flight systems and ground control to ensure seamless command, control, and data dissemination for next-generation satellite missions.

Responsibilities

• Assist government mission manager with the engineering, integration, and validation of satellite ground segment command and control (C2) systems.
• Support the government mission manager with contractor development of real-time satellite vehicle operations, including launch and early orbit phases (LEOP), routine operations, and anomaly resolution.
• Act as liaison between the spacecraft development team and the ground operations crew.
• Oversee the design and implementation of automation frameworks for ground system operations to reduce operator workload and maximize system reliability.
• Provide recommendations for critical design reviews and contractor-developed documentation in support of ground infrastructure.
• Assist in architecting lights-out operational capabilities for multi-satellite constellations.
• Apply Human Factors Engineering (HFE) principles to the design of ground control center layouts, software user interfaces (UIs), and operator workflows.
• Assist with the implementation of end-to-end data pipelines for spacecraft payload and telemetry data, including feedback and technical support for Government Furnished Equipment and contractor-developed ground architecture.
• Develop and review technical assessments and presentations for senior leadership reviews.
• Generate mission status reports and presentations for Weekly Staff Meetings, Executive Program Reviews, and mission status briefings for space situational awareness programs.
• Review and provide technical evaluations for key mission contractual documentation for sustainment contracts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM discipline with a minimum of 10+ years of experience in space systems engineering, specifically focusing on ground segments and satellite operations.
• Must have an in-scope security background investigation (T5), adjudicated for SCI eligibility, and rolled into the Continuous Vetting program (if applicable).
• Must be willing to be nominated for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information and Special Access Programs and consent to a polygraph examination (as required).
• Solid understanding of network protocols, RF communications, ground station operations, and CCSDS packet standards.

Skills

You will stand out with the following skills:

• Hands-on experience with autonomous scripting or automated recovery routines in programming languages such as Python, C++, or bash.
• Formal training or practical experience applying Human Factors Engineering (HFE) standards (e.g., NASA-STD-3001, MIL-STD-1472).
• Experience managing multi-satellite constellation operations or fleet automation.
• Experience deploying ground data systems on cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) using modern DevSecOps tools (Docker, Kubernetes).

Pay

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.