Senior Systems Engineer - Mission Objectives Lead

Description

SAIC is seeking a highly skilled Systems Engineer - Mission Objectives Lead to join the NSWC Crane Multi-Service Advanced Capabilities Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) Test Execution Team. This critical role will ensure test objectives are clearly defined, measurable, and verifiable across MACH-TB flight missions, enabling alignment between programmatic goals, stakeholder expectations, and mission deliverables. The candidate will work closely with government, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams to manage objectives from planning to post-mission assessment.

NOTE: This is a hybrid position requiring the candidate to be in office approximately 3 days a week either in Crane, IN or Huntsville, AL.

Key Responsibilities:

• Objective Development and Documentation:
  • Capture mission objectives for all MACH-TB flights and document them in the Mission Test Objectives Document (MTOD).
  • Ensure objectives are derived from detailed experiment requirements, program goals, and testbed/launch vehicle specifications.
  • Communicate objectives to the Government Objectives Lead and ensure alignment with programmatic expectations.
• Coordination and Communication:
  • Represent mission objectives in Mission Planning Working Groups (MPWGs), collaborating with the execution team to integrate test objectives into operational planning.
  • Brief objectives and progress in executive reviews, enabling leadership and stakeholders to remain up to date on critical outcomes and alignment.
• Verification and Validation:
  • Utilize the Mission Verification Plan to coordinate verification deliverables with the program's prime contractor.
  • Review verification evidence at each project phase (design, vehicle layout, as-built configuration) to ensure alignment with test objectives and flight readiness criteria.
  • Engage with prime contractors and stakeholders to resolve any gaps or discrepancies in verification data and evidence.
• Post-Mission Analysis:
  • Assess mission performance after each MACH-TB flight to validate that objectives were achieved.
  • Present findings during Data Analysis Reviews (DARs), providing detailed insight into outcomes relative to expectations.
  • Coordinate with the Program Engineering Team to refine objectives and strategies based on lessons learned during mission development and execution.

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Active Secret with ability to obtain Top Secret Clearance as required.
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of systems engineering experience, with demonstrated expertise in requirements development, verification, and validation.
• Hands-on experience creating clear, measurable, and testable objectives for large-scale test campaigns or experimental infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of hypersonic systems, testbed launch vehicles, and integration requirements for complex aerospace/defense programs.
• Experience with leading working groups, coordinating between government and contractor stakeholders, and delivering briefings at executive levels.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with a detail-oriented and collaborative approach to workflows.
• Proficiency in assessing test results, validating post-mission data, and aligning outcomes with mission objectives in high-pressure or time-sensitive environments.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Previous experience supporting test programs within organizations such as NSWC Crane or MDA.
• Familiarity with hypersonic weapons testing, NASA or DoD flight programs, or MACH-TB initiatives.
• Knowledge of systems engineering tools and processes, such as MBSE (Model-Based Systems Engineering), DOORS, or V&V methodologies.
• Strong communication skills, with a proven ability to present highly technical data in an executive-friendly format.