Systems Engineer Sr Principal

Location: Chantilly, VA

Full-time, on-site role with up to 10% travel.

Minimum clearance required: TS/SCI with Polygraph.

About the role

The successful candidate will support technology transition and acquisition for next-generation national security space, air, and ground systems—advancing capabilities from applied research through program baseline insertion. This role requires a professional who can bridge technical and acquisition domains to ensure successful program execution in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide analytical, engineering, technical, and administrative guidance to USG leadership in the execution of special communications capabilities.
• Seek new, unique, and innovative data application concepts, engineering techniques, and technology applications through interpretation and analysis of data and processes.
• Serve as technical SME to respective users/developers by providing technical and scientific assistance to meet mission task objectives.
• Advise on acquisition strategies, contracting approaches, and compliance regulations.
• Prepare, review, and update acquisition documentation such as acquisition strategies, requests for information, statements of work, performance work statements, and source selection plans.
• Display exceptional project management skills to fully integrate into current and future national and DOD systems.
• Provide technical and programmatic inputs during source selections, contract modifications, and performance evaluations.
• Monitor contract performance, track deliverables, and identify schedule, cost, and performance risks.
• Recommend and implement solutions to ensure schedule, cost, and technical objectives are met.
• Support milestone and readiness reviews by developing briefings, decision memoranda, and risk assessments.
• Coordinate with contracting officers, program control officers (finance), legal counsel, and technical stakeholders to resolve acquisition-related issues.
• Collaborate with IC and DOD entities on joint development projects for issues encompassing both Titles 50 and 10.
• Conduct liaison with IC and DOD partners to gather requirements and collaborate on technology developments.
• Serve as liaison between financial, acquisition, and technical teams to ensure alignment of program objectives and resources.
• Represent the program office in internal and external meetings, providing technical, acquisition, and financial updates and recommendations.
• Contribute to meetings, working groups, and program reviews.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph.
• STEM/Technical Bachelor’s and fourteen (14) years or more experience; Master’s degree and twelve (12) years or more experience; PhD or JD and nine (9) years or more experience.
• Understanding of SIGINT and GEOINT systems and technologies enabling special communications.
• Knowledge of IC/DoD acquisition processes and contract lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated technical program/project management and leadership experience, including organizational infrastructure and process development.
• Proven ability to work effectively in fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications.
• Strong briefing, writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Aptitude for on-site SETA work with USG stakeholders; self-motivated team player, flexible and adaptable in ever-changing situations.

Desired Qualifications

• 15+ years with national space and ground systems and capabilities, especially SIGINT/GEOINT.
• 10+ years with DOD or commercial communications satellite operations.
• Industry experience building electronic/photonics hardware for space/terrestrial environments.
• Experience supporting SIGINT technology maturation programs.
• Demonstrated ISR systems and associated data network experience.
• Experience coordinating with IC and DOD R&D organizations.
• Experience establishing and leading technical review processes (e.g., Technical Review Board, ERB) to assess program readiness and manage technical risks prior to government fund expenditure.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic technology initiatives (e.g., Photonics, Quantum, Processing) and organizational implementation strategies.
• Experience influencing and expanding strategic initiatives across multiple organizational offices.
• Knowledge of RF engineering principles, wideband receiver architectures, digital signal processing, phased arrays, and RF systems testing.
• Familiarity with USG data processors, systems, and tools for processing, displaying, and analyzing intelligence data.
• Familiarity with IC and DOD acquisition, budget, and contracting processes.
• Knowledge of program management tools.
• Advanced proficiency with MS Excel application (Pivot tables and complex analysis).

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.