GNC Engineer - Hybrid (TS/SCI Clearance)

KBR Careers; El Segundo (CA); Remote; USD 134,000 - 201,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses & incentives

Relocation benefits

Sign-on bonus

Long-term incentives

Job summary

KBR is seeking a GNC Engineer to support the design, development, testing, and real-time operation of advanced aerospace systems. This role spans engineering development and flight/operational execution, requiring deep technical depth and the ability to translate complex system behavior into actionable decisions.

The position is remote with limited travel to onsite locations and requires TS/SCI clearance, a strong aerospace background, and the ability to perform under pressure while clearly

Qualifications

• TS/SCI Clearance required.
• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in GNC or related aerospace engineering roles.
• Strong foundation in orbital mechanics/astrodynamics; control systems and state estimation; guidance algorithms and vehicle dynamics.
• Experience with flight software or embedded systems; real‑time or near‑real‑time environments; telemetry analysis and command/response systems.
• Ability to operate under pressure, make timely decisions, and communicate complex technical issues clearly; collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Responsibilities

• GNC System Development & Integration: design, analysis, and verification of guidance, navigation, and control algorithms and architecture
• Review and guide flight software design to improve system performance, robustness, and operability
• Evaluate system behavior across full mission phases (ascent, on-orbit, entry, proximity operations)
• Operational Readiness & Real-Time Support: develop and execute operational concepts for GNC systems in mission or test environments; monitor vehicle performance and make time-critical recommendations
• Define system and console requirements for monitoring and commanding GNC subsystems; develop operator displays and telemetry strategies
• Testing & Validation: support system‑level testing and verification of telemetry, command pathways, and system responses; contribute to contingency commanding capabilities

Skills

GNC algorithms

Control systems

Astrodynamics

Telemetry analysis

Embedded software

Real-time operations

Decision-making under pressure

Cross-functional collaboration

US citizen

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace/mechanical engineering

Job description

GNC Engineer– Hybrid (TS/SCI Clearance)

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! Around here, we define the future. We are a company of innovators, thinkers, creators, explorers, volunteers, and dreamers. But we all share one goal: to improve the world responsibly and safely.

Position Summary – HybridTHIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON CONTRACT AWARD

We are seeking a GNC Engineer to support the design, development, testing, and real‑time operation of advanced aerospace systems. This role bridges engineering development and flight/operational execution, requiring strong technical depth, sound judgment under pressure, and the ability to translate complex system behavior into actionable decisions. The ideal candidate brings experience across flight dynamics, control systems, software interaction, and operational environments. This is a remote position with limited, business‑need driven travel to onsite locations.

Key Responsibilities

• GNC System Development & Integration Support: design, analysis, and verification of guidance, navigation, and control algorithms and architecture
• Review and guide flight software design to improve system performance, robustness, and operability
• Evaluate system behavior across full mission phases (e.g., ascent, on‑orbit, entry, proximity operations)
• Operational Readiness & Real‑Time Support: develop and execute operational concepts for GNC systems in mission or test environments; monitor vehicle performance and make time‑critical recommendations during dynamic operations; support anomaly resolution, fault response strategies, and contingency planning
• Requirements, Tools & Procedures: define system and console requirements for monitoring and commanding GNC subsystems; develop operator displays, telemetry utilization strategies, and command interfaces; maintain flight rules, procedures, and operational documentation
• Testing & Validation: support system‑level testing (integrated labs, simulations, hardware‑in‑the‑loop environments); participate in verification of telemetry, command pathways, and system responses; contribute to development and validation of contingency commanding capabilities

Required Qualifications

• TS/SCI Clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred)
• 10+ years of experience
• Strong foundation in: orbital mechanics / astrodynamics; control systems and state estimation; guidance algorithms and vehicle dynamics
• Experience working with: flight software or embedded systems; real‑time or near‑real‑time operational environments; telemetry analysis and command/response systems
• Demonstrated ability to: operate effectively under pressure and make timely, sound decisions; communicate complex technical issues clearly and concisely; work across multidisciplinary teams
• Must be a U.S. Citizen

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting mission operations or system operations in a control center or similar environment
• Background in anomaly resolution, fault detection/isolation/recovery (FDIR), and contingency operations
• Familiarity with simulation environments, integrated test labs, or hardware/software validation
• Experience developing procedures, flight rules, or operator tools
• Prior experience training or certifying personnel in technical or operational roles

What Sets a Strong Candidate Apart

• Demonstrated ownership of end‑to‑end GNC capabilities (not just analysis, but how the system is used)
• Ability to connect engineering design decisions to real‑world operational impacts
• Proven performance in high‑stakes, time‑critical environments
• Strong judgment, accountability, and credibility with both engineers and operators
• Comfort operating in “gray space” where processes aren’t fully defined

Basic Compensation

Jobs on this contract range from $133,900 - $200,800. 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.

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’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.