Mission Analyst​/Deputy IPT Lead

Description

SAIC is seeking a Space Mission Analysis Lead to join the National Security and Space Sector (NSS). You would work on a joint Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense (DoD) crown jewel program providing highly specialized space/counter-space engineering, scientific, and analytical services from Aurora, Colorado. We support the Nation’s leading edge IC and DoD space programs and offer compelling, deep-technical work that has direct influence and impact on program development and operations.

Our team has Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) across a variety of disciplines, including physics, math, RF, optics, space acquisition and operations, and intelligence collection and analysis.

• Have experience with IC and/or DoD satellite system development or operations
• Approach technical challenges with a problem‑solving mindset, leveraging analytical expertise, innovative thinking, and engineering best practices.
• Exhibit proactive communication, collaboration, and leadership skills to effectively contribute to cross‑functional teams of engineers, scientists, and government stakeholders.
• Demonstrate a strong ability to translate complex technical requirements into practical, actionable solutions for space mission design and operations.
• Show dedication to mission success by adapting to dynamic requirements, tight deadlines, and shifting priorities while maintaining a strong focus on technical excellence.
• Remain committed to continuous learning, adopting cutting‑edge tools, technologies, and practices to support and enhance space mission capabilities.

• Perform rapid optical analysis for satellite systems, including the evaluation of line‑of‑sight and visibility conditions to support mission planning, trajectory analysis, operations, and performance assessments.
• Lead and align a multidisciplinary team of senior specialists with diverse working styles and strong technical opinions; build consensus and de‑conflict competing technical priorities.
• Develop and execute quick‑look link budgets for satellite communication systems, considering factors such as signal‑to‑noise ratio, interference, attenuation, and power allocations.
• Use Systems Tool Kit (STK) to apply provided access constraints and perform simple sensor modeling to support technical analysis and assessment of mission requirements.
• Serve as Deputy IPT Lead (with a path to IPT Lead), supporting the lad in managing team activities, coordinating technical deliverables, and maintaining alignment with project objectives & schedules.
• Provide technical coordination to a multidisciplinary team, ensuring the successful execution of key tasks related to mission analysis, system design, and performance modeling.
• Act as a point of contact for technical and programmatic queries, addressing stakeholder concerns and escalating issues to senior leadership as necessary.
• Support the production of detailed technical assessments and recommendations for various external customers.
• Develop new tools, scripts, and automated workflows using Python or MATLAB to enhance analysis efficiency.
• Maintain understanding of U.S. Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capabilities, as well as Foreign SDA capabilities and counter‑space threats.
• Stay updated on advancements in optical systems, communication technologies, and space mission design to inform current and future mission analyses.
• Frequently interact with program managers, SETAs, FFRDCs and external stakeholders.
• Develop productive relationships with the Program Office, Prime, and Subcontract counterparts, functional IC or DoD counterparts, and other SMEs.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics, Engineering, or Mathematics and 9 or more years (7 or more with a Masters) of direct experience with the space segment of IC or DoD programs.
• Professional experience in mission analysis, satellite communications, or a related technical field, with progressive responsibility in leadership or team coordination role.
• Active TS/SCI Clearance with Special Access eligibility and consent to a Counter Intelligence (CI) polygraph. US Citizenship is required.
• Proficiency in programming…