Electrical-Optical engineering Lead

Trinzic; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 154,000 - 231,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR is seeking an Electrical-Optical Lead with a strong background in managing the technical development of advanced laser systems for spaceflight applications. This role combines deep technical expertise with engineering team leadership and product development ownership.

Responsibilities include directing laser hardware design, verification, and flight qualification, leading risk mitigation, and coordinating cross-functional teams to meet mission requirements.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in electro-optical engineering.
• Experience developing spaceflight hardware.
• Experience leading small engineering teams with budget and schedule responsibility.
• Experience as a PDL or similar leadership role in product development.
• Strong engineering analysis and hands-on lab experience.
• Familiarity with cleanroom manufacturing and optical assembly.
• Knowledge of laser safety standards and compliance.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, analysis, integration and testing of lasers, photonics, and related electronics.
• Serve as Product Development Leader (PDL), managing execution, resources, budget, schedule, and risks.
• Lead development, verification, and qualification of laser hardware for spaceflight.
• Provide technical direction and hands-on problem solving through analytical studies and lab testing.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-performance flight hardware that meets mission requirements.
• Serve as the technical authority for electro-optical and laser-based spacecraft systems through the lifecycle.
• Lead technical risk assessments and mitigation strategies for mission success.
• Evaluate emerging photonics technologies and provide strategic recommendations to enhance spacecraft performance.

Skills

Lasers & photonics

Spaceflight hardware

Team leadership

PDL experience

Electro-optical

Lab testing

Cleanroom

Laser safety

Budget & schedule

Fast-paced work

Education

BS in Electrical/Optical Engineering or Physics

Job description

Electrical-Optical engineering Lead

At KBR, we deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 85 countries and operations in over 28 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results.

Trinzic is the future independent company to be created through the planned spin-off of KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, expected in January 2027. Our people work at the frontier of what is possible, delivering solutions in challenging environments and advancing some of the world's highest-priority national security and space missions.

Backed by decades of mission success, deep expertise, and trusted partnerships, Trinzic will launch as a global organization with more than 18,000 employees supporting customers around the world. Join us at a defining moment and help shape the future of a company built to tackle complex challenges and make a meaningful impact.

Candidates who join KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business before the spin-off will transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete and will not need to reapply for employment.

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

Around here, we define the future.

We at KBR share one goal: to improve the world responsibly as a company of innovators, thinkers, creators, explorers, volunteers, and dreamers.

KBR is seeking a Electrical-Optical engineering Lead with a strong background in managing technical development of advanced laser systems and associated photonics and electro-optical hardware for spaceflight applications. This role combines strong technical expertise with engineering team leadership and product development ownership, including responsibility for technical performance, budget, schedule, and delivery. Experience leading flight hardware development and/or qualification for aerospace or space applications, particularly programs requiring compliance with NASA, ESA, or equivalent standards, is strongly preferred.

The Electrical-Optical Lead will be responsible for:

• Lead the design, development, analysis, integration, and testing of lasers, laser systems, photonics, and associated electronics.
• Serve as Product Development Leader (PDL), managing technical execution, team resources, budget, schedule, and program risks.
• Lead the development, verification, and qualification of laser hardware for spaceflight applications.
• Provide technical direction and hands-on problem-solving through analytical studies and laboratory testing.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver reliable, high-performance flight hardware that meets mission requirements.
• Serve as the technical authority for advanced electro-optical and laser-based spacecraft systems, providing engineering leadership throughout the design, development, integration, qualification, and flight deployment lifecycle.
• Lead technical risk assessments and development of mitigation strategies to ensure mission success, hardware reliability, and compliance with applicable aerospace standards and requirements.
• Evaluate emerging photonics and electro-optical technologies and provide strategic recommendations to enhance spacecraft system performance, capability, and mission readiness.

Required Qualification:

• Experience developing lasers and laser systems, including photonics and electronics/electro-optics.
• Experience developing spaceflight hardware.
• Experience leading small engineering teams and serving as a technical manager with budget and schedule responsibility.
• Experience as a PDL or in a comparable product development leadership role.
• Strong technical background combining engineering analysis and hands-on laboratory work.
• 15+ years of experience in electro-optical engineering.
• Flight hardware development or qualification experience for aerospace or space systems.
• Familiarity with cleanroom manufacturing and optical assembly processes.
• Knowledge of laser safety standards and compliance.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic, and energetic environment.

Preferred Skills

• Support qualification and acceptance testing for flight hardware.
• Ensure compliance with applicable space or defense standards (e.g., NASA, ESA).
• Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR) and customer technical interchange meetings.
• Develop documentation packages for flight certification and mission assurance.

EDUCATION- BS degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field and at least 15 years of exp.undefined

Basic Compensation: Jobs on this contract range from $154,000-$230,900.00 Pay range is specific to the Greenbelt, MD area.

The offered rate will be based on the position, contract affordability, the selected candidate’s working location, knowledge, skills, abilities, 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.

Click here to learn more: KBR Benefits | KBR (https://careers.kbr.com/us/en/kbr-benefits)

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBRAt 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.