SAIC Huntsville Careers: 900+ Defense and Space Jobs

SAIC employs 900+ professionals in Huntsville supporting Missile Defense Agency, NASA Marshall, and Army contracts from their Cummings Research Park campus.

SAIC Huntsville Overview

Metric	Value
Huntsville Employees	900+
Primary Location	Cummings Research Park
Key Customers	MDA, NASA, Army
Avg. Clearance Required	65% Secret+, 25% TS/SCI
2024 Huntsville Revenue	$180M+

Current Open Positions (January 2026)

Role Category	Open Positions	Avg. Salary	Clearance
Systems Engineering	22	$98,000	Secret required
Software Development	18	$95,000	60% Secret+
Program/Project Mgmt	8	$115,000	TS preferred
IT/Cybersecurity	12	$92,000	Secret required
Data Analytics	6	$105,000	Case-by-case
Test Engineering	8	$88,000	Secret required
Administrative/Support	5	$55,000	Some positions

SAIC Huntsville Salary Data

Compensation at SAIC Huntsville by level:

Level	Title	Salary Range	Bonus
Individual Contributor I	Analyst/Engineer I	$62,000-$78,000	2-4%
Individual Contributor II	Analyst/Engineer II	$78,000-$95,000	4-6%
Individual Contributor III	Senior Analyst/Engineer	$95,000-$118,000	6-10%
Individual Contributor IV	Principal/Lead	$118,000-$145,000	8-12%
Individual Contributor V	Expert/Fellow	$145,000-$175,000	10-15%

Cleared Employee Premium

Clearance	Premium vs. Non-Cleared
Secret	+$7,000-$10,000
Top Secret	+$12,000-$18,000
TS/SCI	+$18,000-$25,000

Major SAIC Programs in Huntsville

Missile Defense Agency Support

• GMD systems engineering
• THAAD test support
• BMDS integration analysis
• Employees: 350+

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

• SLS mission planning
• Propulsion analysis
• Software development
• Employees: 250+

Army Programs

• Redstone Arsenal support
• AMCOM engineering services
• PEO Missiles and Space
• Employees: 200+

Classified Programs

• Various intelligence community support
• Details: SCIF-based work
• Employees: 100+

SAIC Benefits Package

Benefit	SAIC Offering
401(k) Match	100% up to 6%
Health Insurance	3 plans, competitive rates
PTO	15-25 days based on tenure
Holidays	11 paid holidays
Tuition Assistance	$7,500/year
Certification Bonuses	$500-$2,000 per cert
ESPP	15% discount

Work-Life Features

• Flexible hours: Core hours 9AM-3PM
• Remote eligible: 40% of roles allow 2-3 days WFH
• 9/80 schedule: Available on most contracts
• Wellness program: Gym discounts, health incentives

How to Get Hired at SAIC Huntsville

Application Process

1. Apply online at saic.com/careers
2. Recruiter screen (1 week)
3. Hiring manager phone interview (30-45 min)
4. Panel interview (1-2 hours, often virtual)
5. Background/clearance processing (2-12 weeks)
6. Offer extended

Timeline Expectations

Status	Timeline
Application to first contact	5-10 business days
Interview process	2-3 weeks
Offer after final interview	1-2 weeks
Clearance (new applicant)	4-14 months
Clearance (transfer)	2-4 weeks

Resume Tips for SAIC

SAIC recruiters prioritize:

• Contract experience: Specific program names help
• Clearance status: Active clearance highlighted
• Certifications: PMP, Security+, etc.
• Quantified achievements: Numbers and percentages
• Technical keywords: Match job description

Required Qualifications by Role

Systems Engineer

• BS in Engineering (ABET accredited)
• 3+ years defense/aerospace experience
• Active Secret clearance
• MBSE experience preferred

Software Developer

• BS in Computer Science or related
• Proficiency in Java, Python, or C++
• DoD 8570/8140 certification for some roles
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain

Program Manager

• BS + 10 years OR MS + 8 years experience
• PMP certification preferred
• Active TS clearance preferred
• Defense contract experience required

SAIC Huntsville Culture

Employee feedback metrics:

Factor	Rating (5-point)
Work-life balance	4.0
Compensation	3.7
Career growth	3.4
Management	3.6
Job security	3.8

Employee pros:

• Flexible work arrangements
• Strong benefits package
• Diverse project opportunities
• Supportive team culture

Employee cons:

• Salary below larger primes
• Contract-dependent job security
• Limited internal mobility on some programs

Career Paths at SAIC

Technical Track

Associate > Mid-level > Senior > Principal > Technical Fellow

Management Track

Team Lead > Project Manager > Program Manager > Director > VP

Growth Opportunities

Years at SAIC	Typical Progression
0-2	Entry/Associate level
3-5	Mid-level contributor
5-8	Senior contributor
8-12	Principal or Manager
12+	Director or Fellow

SAIC vs. Other Huntsville Employers

Factor	SAIC	Northrop	Lockheed	Boeing
Avg. Salary	$94K	$102K	$100K	$105K
Work-Life Balance	4.0	3.7	3.8	3.8
Remote Work	More flexible	Limited	Limited	Limited
Job Security	Contract-based	Higher	Higher	Higher

SAIC advantage: More flexibility and diverse contract exposure. SAIC consideration: Lower base salaries than primes, more contract transitions.

Huntsville Cost of Living Benefit

SAIC Huntsville salaries provide strong purchasing power:

Metric	Huntsville	Reston HQ	Difference
$95K Huntsville	$95,000	$125,000 equivalent	Need 32% more at HQ
Median Home	$325,000	$725,000	55% less
Monthly Rent	$1,400	$2,400	42% less

Apply to SAIC Huntsville

Current high-demand roles include:

• MDA systems engineers
• NASA software developers
• Army program analysts
• Cybersecurity specialists

Visit saic.com/careers and search Huntsville, AL.

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Information current as of January 2026. Data from SAIC careers site, Glassdoor, and Huntsville industry sources.