Electro Optical Engineer

  • SAIC
  • VA
  • Sep 23, 2026

Job Description

Description
SAIC is seeking a Electro-Optical (EO) Engineer to join SAIC's Prime SETA program in Chantilly, VA supporting the NRO's Ground Enterprise Directorate (GED).
In this role, you will also serve as a trusted technical advisor driving the development and modernization of next-generation EO GEOINT mission processing capabilities. You will collaborate closely with government leaders, development contractors, and mission partners to shape resilient, high-performance solutions that directly support national security priorities.
Key Responsibilities to include:
  • Advance EO resiliency initiatives by evaluating emerging technologies, identifying vulnerabilities, and guiding mission-enhancing solutions in partnership with IC stakeholders.
  • Maintain technical cognizance across a broad GEOINT mission processing portfolio, tracking baselines, schedules, dependencies, risks, and cost drivers to ensure program success.
  • Oversee Prime Contractor development efforts, providing technical insight and ensuring software development, integration, and testing activities align with government requirements and mission objectives.
  • Advise senior and mid-level government leadership on architectural decisions, investment strategies, acquisition priorities, and risk assessments shaping the future Ground Enterprise.
  • Develop and coordinate Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) for new capabilities, ensuring alignment across mission threads and stakeholder organizations.
  • Define enterprise, system, functional, performance, and interface requirements that guide the development of modern, scalable GEOINT processing applications.
  • Conduct performance assessments and deliver cost, schedule, and risk impact analyses for current and future Ground architecture implementations.
  • Evaluate vendor proposals and technical documentation, assessing design artifacts for alignment with mission needs, technical standards, and acquisition best practices.

Qualifications
Required Education & Experience
  • Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience. Relevant experience to be substituted in lieu of degree.
  • Active Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph.
  • Experience with Electro-Optical systems, including tasking, command & control, collection, mission processing, or dissemination.
  • Domain knowledge in Ground Software, Space Development Programs, or Mission Operations.
  • Experience supporting requirements development and definition activities.
  • Strong organizational, time-management, and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information across diverse customer and corporate audiences.
  • Proficiency with the Microsoft Office tool suite.

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