Database Integration Engineer

SAIC is seeking a highly specialized Database Integration Engineer to support critical ground mission operations at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is a hybrid skills role that requires a unique blend of expertise: the candidate must be both a highly capable Database Architect/Expert and have some experience in Software Development with direct experience in satellite ground systems. The successful candidate will not just manage databases but will support the software integrations and data pipelines required to ingest, process, and store complex satellite telemetry and payload data into high-performance databases for mission operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Support design and deploy software applications that interface directly with ground mission systems to capture real-time satellite data.
• Architect, implement, and optimize database solutions (Relational, NoSQL, and Time-Series) specifically tuned for the high-throughput, low-latency requirements of satellite data streams.
• Build robust data pipelines to parse, transform, and load satellite telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) data, as well as mission payload data, into centralized data stores.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex integration bottlenecks between ground software applications and backend database infrastructure.
• Work directly with ground engineers, mission operators, and software teams to ensure data architecture meets operational mission requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer or Data Sciences or related field and five (5) years or more of experience; Master’s degree and seven (7) years or more of relevant experience. Will accept four (4) additional years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Active Top Secret or DoE Q clearance with SCI eligibility (must be eligible for SCI indoctrination within first 3 months of start date) and be able to obtain and maintain TS/SCI
• Minimum three (3) years of combined experience in database engineering with some software development
• Understanding of software development for satellite ground systems, ground stations, or mission control centers
• Expert-level knowledge of database design, deployment, and optimization (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB, InfluxDB, or similar time-series databases used for telemetry)
• Understanding of programming proficiency in languages commonly used in ground systems and data integration (e.g., Python, C++, Java, or Go)
• Deep understanding of satellite data structures, telemetry parsing, and how to model space-domain data within a database environment
• Demonstrated ability to operate as a full-lifecycle engineer, capable of supporting the integration code and building the database schema

Desired

• Experience with cloud-based data storage and processing (AWS/GovCloud, Azure Government)
• Familiarity with DoD/DoW or Space Force data standards and cybersecurity compliance for ground systems
• Experience with containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes) in tactical or air-gapped environments