Title:

Systems Engineer

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

Systems Engineer

KBR’s National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role – protecting our national security.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Projects: KBR’s work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.

• Collaborative Environment: Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.

• Impactful Work: Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense.

This Systems Engineer will demonstrate a strong interest in space and hands‑on engineering work. The role spans both physical telescope systems and the software used to command, control, and monitor them. The individual will support end‑to‑end deployment of small telescope systems, including designing mechanical adapters and interfaces, conducting camera studies and system burn‑in, and performing installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting activities. Work will be conducted at laboratory facilities and fielded observatory sites, including operations at high‑altitude locations such as Haleakalā Mountain, with additional travel to remote deployment locations as required.

Responsibilities

The individual will work as part of a high‑performance engineering team developing and sustaining advanced Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capabilities. This role supports the design, development, integration, verification, deployment, and long‑term maintenance of a network of Raven‑class small-aperture telescope systems. Responsibilities span system hardware and software across the full lifecycle, including hands-on integration and test, operational support, performance assessment, and fielded system sustainment.

This position performs a variety of engineering work in the development of an operable system capable of meeting requirements within imposed constraints including mass, cost and schedule. Designs and/or research subsystem interfaces to ensure that subsystems are integrated and work together to form a viable complete system. Performs functional analysis of a system to ensure it meets performance criteria and mission constraints and to feed the analysis results back to the subsystem development teams. Prepares design sketches and general equipment design of simple parts, subsystem interfaces, system layouts, etc. Performs relatively simple engineering and mathematical formulas and computations. Prepares analysis of technical data and information resulting from tests, studies, analysis, etc. Assisting other technical personnel in the preparation of technical reports, graphs and charts. May participate as a member of a team; primary contact is immediate supervisor. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Other responsibilities include:

• Operate, maintain, and sustain a geographically distributed network of small-aperture telescope systems in operational environments.
• Perform hands-on troubleshooting and repair of optical, mechanical, electrical, and software components to restore system functionality and performance.
• Support deployment, alignment, calibration, and commissioning of telescope systems in the field.
• Diagnose performance degradation at the system level and identify corrective maintenance or software updates.
• Execute preventative maintenance activities to maximize system uptime and operational availability.
• Maintain configuration control of hardware, firmware, and software across multiple deployed systems.
• Support remote operations, monitoring, and fault response for unattended telescope assets.
• Conceiving, designing, analyzing, simulating, overseeing, and assessing complex performance at the telescope system level.
• Ensuring the delivery of complex algorithms and software to system integration and test.
• Developing and implementing detailed test and verification plans from the subsystem.
• Validating and documenting the performance of these systems prior to delivering them to the customers.

Qualifications

This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related technical discipline with a minimum of 0-3 years of related experience.  Additional years of experience will be accepted in lieu of degree.

Requirements include

• A strong technical background in the areas of modern guidance, estimation and control with application to aerospace systems
• Capability to perform research and development of advanced telescope systems for space exploration applications.
• Understanding programming languages such as Python, C/C++, and Linux shell scripting, and be able to write code in those languages to support testing, integration, deployment and operations of small telescope systems.
• Experience in wiring power and communication data lines for equipment to include, but not limited to, Ethernet, Camera Link, USB, 120 V power, 240 V power, and fiber optical cables.
• Familiarity with build systems for software to include CMake, UV, PIP, Visual Studio, GCC, Clang, or other such software packages.
• Ability to troubleshoot software issues during development, testing, integration and operations portions of the small telescope systems.
• Mechanical design and measurements for the creation of 3D printed components for rapid prototyping of beam train components for telescope systems.
• Knowledge of telescope focus, and the ability to create mating interfaces for attachment of sensors, filter wheels, focusers, extenders and other optical components.
• A proven team player and effective leader with excellent communication, interpersonal, verbal and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel for deployments to remote locations to work on maintenance, upgrades, and replacements of computer hardware, collection hardware, and networking equipment.
• Must be able to handle power tools, manual tools, and have sensitivity to the fragile electronic and optical equipment used in every day testing, analysis, maintenance, and operations.
• Experience developing software for the control, monitoring, and automation of laboratories or fielded hardware systems.
• Experience writing analysis or diagnostic software to assess system performance using collected telemetry or image data.
• Familiarity with real-time or near-real-time control loops for motion, pointing, or focus control.
• Experience interfacing software with cameras, motion controllers, sensors, and networking hardware.

Desired experience and skills also include:

• Willingness and ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.
• Strong technology development background.
• Experience with the development of instrument/optical pointing systems and integrated hardware and software systems.
• Experience working with detectors and high-rate control systems.
• Experience in the design of autonomous systems and tasking, collection, processing and dissemination autonomy.

Basic Compensation: 

$77-100k

• The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity. 

Additional Compensation: 

• KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short term incentives, long term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.  

KBR Benefits

• KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re excited about making a significant impact in the field of space defense and working on projects that matter, we encourage you to apply and join our team at KBR. Let's shape the future together.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture.  These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company.  That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together. 

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.