Principal Test Engineer

Principal Test Engineer

Job ID: 2614996

Location: San Diego, CA, United States

Date Posted: Jul 28, 2026

Category: Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory: Test Engineer

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required: None

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: Secret

Potential for Remote Work: Hybrid

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Job Description

Description

SAIC is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to support Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) and related Test and Evaluation activities in San Diego, CA. Must be local to area. Must be able to travel up to 15%.

The Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) program involves deployment of autonomous unmanned surface vessels (USV's) to demonstrate an enhanced warfighting capability to disrupt adversary activity in a given maritime region. This program seeks to advance unmanned autonomous USV war fighting capabilities while participating in high-visibility operations such as RIMPAC and Integrated Battle Problems. The MDUSV program is a multi-year effort managed by NIWC-PAC with PMS-406 as the Program Office and Unmanned Surface Vessel Development Squadron-1 (USVDIV1).

In this role, the candidate will be working with the Government IPT Lead and other support staff in the development and execution of directed Test and Evaluation events of Autonomous Systems and unmanned automation on developmental surface vessels. Support will also include supporting technology upgrades, In-Service Engineering to existing platforms, test/planning support to satisfy Program Office and Fleet demand signals.

JOB DUTIES:

• Skillset and knowledge coordinating personnel and finances for million-dollar programs.
• Skillset and knowledge to lead autonomy development and associated integration to support unmanned operations.
• Skillset and knowledge for leading or/and overseeing autonomous test, evaluation, demonstration, data collection, and reporting
• Communication skills to support NIWC program leadership briefings and reporting requirements.
• Conducting or executing of tests following established procedures
• Ship riding as part of testing

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelors degree in an engineering field and nine (9) years or more related experience.

• 5 years experience working with or on Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV)

• 5 years experience coordinating and supporting at-sea test events

• 5 years experience with vessel autonomy systems and operations

• Must be able to obtain a Secret Clearance after start

• Organizational, time-management, and communication skills.

Target salary range: $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

Overview

SAIC accepts applications on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.

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.

We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

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