Aerospace Engineer Level IV

KBR Careers; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 154,000 - 212,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR is seeking an Aerospace Engineer Level IV to lead design, analysis, and integration of aerospace and space systems for U.S. Government programs in the Washington DC region.

You will develop vehicle configurations, perform multidisciplinary analyses, and support system development across the full lifecycle—from concept through flight and operations—collaborating with cross‑functional teams. A Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering and 8–12+ years of experience are required, with an active Secret

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• 8–12+ years of aerospace engineering experience.
• Experience with aerospace system design, analysis, and modeling.
• Proficiency with engineering tools (MATLAB, ANSYS, NASTRAN, CFD tools).
• Experience performing trade studies and performance analysis.
• Familiarity with spacecraft, launch vehicles, or high-speed systems.
• Experience supporting government programs.
• Active Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and evaluate aerospace vehicle configurations to meet mission requirements.
• Conduct system and subsystem trade studies across propulsion, structures, thermal, GNC, RF, power, and payload.
• Perform aerodynamic, thermal, and structural analyses using industry-standard tools.
• Develop and simulate aerospace system models and prototypes.
• Support development and testing of prototype hardware in emerging technical areas.
• Define and allocate program-level requirements and ensure traceability.
• Support integration, test, and evaluation activities.
• Interface with multidisciplinary teams to ensure system‑level performance.
• Prepare and present technical briefings and documentation.
• Support mission planning and system architecture development.

Skills

Aerospace engineering

System design & analysis

Trade studies

MBSE or digital engineering tools

MATLAB

ANSYS

NASTRAN

CFD tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering (Master’s preferred)

Tools

MATLAB

ANSYS

NASTRAN

CFD tools

Job description

Aerospace Engineer Level IV Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

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.

Position Overview

The Aerospace Engineer Level IV provides advanced technical expertise in the design, analysis, and integration of aerospace and space systems supporting U.S. Government programs. This role is responsible for developing vehicle configurations, conducting multidisciplinary analyses, and supporting system development across the full lifecycle—from concept through flight and mission operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and evaluate aerospace vehicle configurations to meet mission requirements
• Conduct system and subsystem trade studies across propulsion, structures, thermal, GNC, RF, power, and payload
• Perform aerodynamic, thermal, and structural analyses using industry-standard tools
• Develop and simulate aerospace system models and prototypes
• Support development and testing of prototype hardware in emerging technical areas
• Define and allocate program-level requirements and ensure traceability
• Support integration, test, and evaluation (I&T) activities
• Interface with multidisciplinary teams to ensure system‑level performance
• Prepare and present technical briefings and documentation
• Support mission planning and system architecture development

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline (Master’s preferred)
• 8–12+ years of aerospace engineering experience
• Experience with aerospace system design, analysis, and modeling
• Proficiency with engineering tools (MATLAB, ANSYS, NASTRAN, CFD tools)
• Experience performing trade studies and performance analysis
• Familiarity with spacecraft, launch vehicles, or high-speed systems
• Experience supporting government programs
• Active Secret clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Experience with flight hardware development and testing
• Knowledge of hypersonic or advanced aerospace systems
• Familiarity with MBSE or digital engineering tools
• Leadership or task-level management experience
• Clearance Active Secret required (TS/SCI preferred or eligible)

Work Environment

On-site/hybrid environment supporting government labs, integration facilities, and offices with occasional travel to test and launch sites.

Basic Compensation

Basic Compensation: $154,000 - $211,700 This range is for the Washington DC area only. 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

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.

Company Culture

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. KBR — Delivering Solutions, Changing the World. KBR brings together the best and brightest to deliver science, technology and engineering solutions that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most critical missions and objectives. In everything we do, we are guided by our ONE KBR Values: We Value Our People – We create diverse, inclusive environments in which each person can feel safe, respected and valued, and where everyone has opportunities to grow and reach their full potential. We Deliver – We are uncompromising in our commitment to deliver innovative, high-quality, technology‑led solutions for our customers and exceptional, sustainable value for all our stakeholders. We Are People of Integrity – We value honesty, trust, courage, fairness, prudence and tenacity. We believe doing what’s right for the planet, the communities where we work, and our people is good for business. We Empower – We empower our people with a shared purpose, the right tools and the supportive culture they need to be proactive decision‑makers, to be adaptive to change, and to succeed. We Are a Team of Teams – We have a will to succeed, but we value the achievements of our team of teams over individual accomplishments. Our collective focus makes us a better, stronger, more effective company. We have also embedded environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in every business operation and corporate function. Not only are we committed to operating safely, sustainably and equitably, but we are also committed to using our capabilities and expertise to help our customers accomplish their sustainability goals. Worldwide, KBR employs a diverse workforce approximately 29,000 people strong, with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in 40 countries. At KBR, We Deliver.