Senior Principal Systems Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 8, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 20, 2026. SAIC scores B on the Alion truth index.
SAIC is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer to support the Tactical Networks (TACNET) Capabilities Based in Service Engineering Agent (CB-ISEA). This is a Hybrid/Remote role in San Diego, CA. MUST BE LOCAL TO AREA DUE TO PERIODIC ONSITE VISITS.
TACNET CB-ISEA supports the sustainment and modernization of tactical networks to include Automated Digital Network System (ADNS), Consolidated Afloat Network and Enterprise Services (CANES), Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System (CENTRIXS), Integration Shipboard Networking System (ISNS), Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Networks, Flank speed Wireless.
TACNET Sustainment Team seeking a Systems Architect who will lead various efforts and initiatives involving our tactical networks. Person will design, develop, and sustain DOD system networks. Person will work closely with development and sustainment engineering team to purpose and engineer solutions to improve, modernize, and sustain afloat networks using an agile methodology in a DevOps environment. Must be willing and interested in learning new toolsets, templates and workflows as business needs evolve.
Note: The position requires up to 10% of OCONUS/CONUS travel in addition to occasional off-hours support. Also, this role allows for some remote work from home opportunities. This is a hybrid/remote position with periodic onsite visits at our SAIC office in San Diego and/or Virginia Beach.
JOB DUTIES:
- Provide System life cycle software engineering support for our NAVWAR and NIWC customers.
- Focus primarily on software components loaded on supported tactical networks to sustain currently fielded TACNET systems.
- Includes analysis and modification to replace commercial off the shelf (COTS) components that are end of support (EOS) modifications to support new interfaces to other systems, and modifications to existing systems driven by customer requirements.
- Analyze failure data, trouble reports, and other U.S. Navy Fleet communications to identify current system deficiencies.
- Propose Solutions, conduct peer reviews, and work with production engineers to implement solutions.
- Create and update engineering documentation and manage solutions through formal configuration management process.
- Attend and participate in technical meetings, report on technical progress, prepare briefs and provide presentations.
- Participation in Integrated Product Team (IPT), Technical Working Group) and engineering / design review meetings.
- Support will encompass a range of capabilities, from system installations, configuration management enforcement, system sustainment and upgrades, distance support, and emergent onsite Casualty Report (CASREP) support as needed for the warfighters.
Engineering solutions will primarily be for Redhat/Linux based operating systems.
- Provide root cause analysis and be comfortable recommending permanent configuration changes when necessary.
- Develop, integrate, test, debug, and tune complex Software solutions designed to satisfy customer requirements.
- Experience in developing and applying pattern-based architecture, governance and security to system changes and deployments.
- Experience utilizing the Atlassian suite of tools to include JIRA supporting agile and sprint-based operations.
- Leadership experience in the development and deployment of source code across multiple classification levels and environments.
- Experience in creating or expressing low level work product activities and estimating durations with intent to aide creation of scope documents and schedules.
- Work in cooperation with external partners, including consultants, agencies, and vendors, to troubleshoot intra-system issues, and to assist with system integration design solutions.
- Strong development and support skills with experience in object-oriented programming as applicable to web-based programming languages.
REQUIREMENTS:
Education and Experience:
- Bachelors and fourteen (14) years or more experience; Masters and twelve (12) years or more experience; PhD or JD and nine (9) years or more experience
- Supported DoD C4ISR systems in an enterprise level IT environment (ISNS, CANES, ADNS, SCI Network, CENTRIX, ORT, FSW)
- 4 or more years’ experience in a DevOps based environment and is familiar with Agile practices.
- 2 yrs. of experience with scripting program languages and automation using PowerShell scripting and XML development.
- 2 years’ experience in the design, analysis and support of local area networks
- Experience in Cloud Computing Environments such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and/or Flankspeed Edge.
- Experience in Microsoft stack - .NET4.0/C#, PowerShell.
- Experience in Linux programming languages.
Clearance:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Must have an Active Secret Clearance to Start
- Must be Able to obtain a Top Secret Clearance after start
Certifications:
- Current IAT Level II Compliant (Security +) and Operating System (OS) Certification. Would need to obtain within 6 months if candidate does not currently hold both certifications.
DESIRED SKILLS:
- Experience in SCRUM methodologies is a plus.
- Knowledge of US Navy Ship and shore networking systems is a plus.