Command and Control Ground Analyst at SAIC in El Segundo, CA

Command and Control Ground Analyst

Location: El Segundo, CA, United States

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 the space-based surveillance and reconnaissance mission.
You will design, develop, and maintain our state-of-the-art ground segment infrastructure. This critical role bridges the gap between spacecraft flight systems and ground control, ensuring seamless command, control, and data dissemination for next-generation satellite missions.

As our ideal candidate you will bring a robust background in ground station architecture combined with practical, hands-on experience in flight operations and satellite vehicle operations. You will champion the integration of autonomous operations, optimize data dissemination architectures, and apply human factors engineering principles to create intuitive, resilient, and highly efficient operator interfaces. You will assist in the integration of autonomous operations, and overseeing multiple ground development activities for optical systems and satellite communications alongside the government customer working with them in our El Segundo, CA office.

Key Responsibilities:
• Assist govt mission manager with the engineering, integration, and validation of satellite ground segment command and control (C2) systems.
• Support the government mission manager with the contractor development of real-time satellite vehicle operations, including launch and early orbit phases (LEOP), routine operations, and anomaly resolution.
• Assist mission manager with 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 recommendation of critical design reviews and contractor developed documentation in support of ground infrastructure.
• Assist mission manager in architecting lights-out operational capabilities for multi-satellite constellations.
• Apply HFE principles for the mission manager of the contractor design of ground control center layouts, software user interfaces (UIs), and operator workflows.
• Assist the mission manager with the implementation of end-to-end data pipelines for spacecraft payload and telemetry data. This may include providing feedback and technical support for Government Furnished Equipment and systems and contractor developed ground architecture.
• Develop and reviews technical assessments and presentations for senior leadership reviews
• Generate mission status reports and presentations for Weekly Staff Meeting, Executive Program Reviews, and mission status briefings for space situational awareness programs.
• Reviews and provides technical evaluations for key mission contractual documentation for sustainment contracts.

This is you:
• 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 in 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.

You will wow us even more if you have these 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).

SAIC® is a premier mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.