Ground Engineer (SETA Support)

KBR, Inc.; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 136,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR, Inc. in Chantilly, VA, is seeking a Ground Engineer to provide Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) for a classified program.

You will act as a technical advisor to Government, overseeing ground segment architecture, hardware systems, and end-to-end command and control infrastructure to ensure development, integration, test, and sustainment of mission-critical ground systems for national security space operations.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with polygraph clearance is required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, or related discipline).
• 9+ years of relevant experience supporting ground/space or national security programs.
• Experience with ground segment hardware architectures and C2 systems.
• Experience with system integration, verification, and obsolescence management.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent engineering assessment of ground segment hardware architecture, design, integration, and operational performance.
• Review and evaluate contractor‑developed system specifications, ICDs, and technical baselines to ensure compliance with requirements and mission needs.
• Support Government oversight of ground system integration, test, and verification, including Factory and Site Acceptance Test activities.
• Assess and advise on end-to-end system performance, ensuring interoperability across spacecraft, payload, ground, and enterprise interfaces.
• Evaluate contractor readiness for program milestones and life cycle reviews (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, ORR).
• Identify and assess technical risks, issues, and program impacts, and evaluate mitigation and burn‑down strategies.
• Provide oversight of requirements traceability, verification closure, and system sell‑off activities in accordance with Government standards.
• Support configuration and change management processes, including Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) and baseline control.
• Coordinate resolution of discrepancy reports (DRs) and support Government prioritization and adjudication.
• Assess system sustainment considerations, including hardware reliability, obsolescence, and lifecycle supportability.
• Collaborate across directorates, mission partners, FFRDCs, and contractors to ensure integrated mission success.
• Prepare and deliver technical assessments, briefings, and decision support materials for Government leadership.
• Advise Government stakeholders on ground system architecture, integration strategies, and verification methodologies.

Skills

Systems engineering

Ground systems integration

Technical advisory

Executive briefing

Cross-organizational collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, or related discipline)

Tools

Cisco Flex Modems

IC acquisition frameworks

Job description

Title:

Ground Engineer (SETA Support)

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.

KBR is seeking an experienced Ground Engineer to provide Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) to support a classified program.

The candidate will serve as a technical advisor to the Government, supporting oversight of the ground segment architecture, hardware systems, and end-to-end command and control infrastructure. This role focuses on ensuring the successful development, integration, test, and sustainment of mission‑critical ground systems supporting national security space operations.

The Ground Engineer will work across Government, FFRDC, and contractor teams to ensure technical integrity, mission assurance, and compliance with acquisition and engineering processes, while maintaining alignment between ground, space, and enterprise capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide independent engineering assessment of ground segment hardware architecture, design, integration, and operational performance

• Review and evaluate contractor‑developed system specifications, ICDs, and technical baselines to ensure compliance with requirements and mission needs

• Support Government oversight of ground system integration, test, and verification, including Factory and Site Acceptance Test activities

• Assess and advise on end-to-end system performance, ensuring interoperability across spacecraft, payload, ground, and enterprise interfaces

• Evaluate contractor readiness for program milestones and life cycle reviews (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, ORR)

• Identify and assess technical risks, issues, and program impacts, and evaluate mitigation and burn‑down strategies

• Provide oversight of requirements traceability, verification closure, and system sell‑off activities in accordance with Government standards

• Support configuration and change management processes, including Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) and baseline control

• Coordinate resolution of discrepancy reports (DRs) and support Government prioritization and adjudication

• Assess system sustainment considerations, including hardware reliability, obsolescence, and lifecycle supportability

• Collaborate across directorates, mission partners, FFRDCs, and contractors to ensure integrated mission success

• Prepare and deliver technical assessments, briefings, and decision support materials for Government leadership

• Advise Government stakeholders on ground system architecture, integration strategies, and verification methodologies

Basic Compensation:

$136,000 - $169,000 USD annually

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

Work Environment:

• Location: On-site

• Travel Requirements: Up to 20%

• Working Hours: Core hour support required

Qualifications:

Required:

• Active TS/SCI with polygraph clearance

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, or related discipline)

• 9+ years of relevant experience (6+ years with Master’s degree) supporting ground systems, space systems, or national security space programs

• Experience with hardware interface definition, system integration, and verification in complex, distributed environments

• Experience with CISCO Flex Modems and implementation of these into existing architectures

• Knowledge of IC acquisition frameworks and milestone-driven program execution

• Strong understanding of ground segment hardware architectures, including command and control systems, communications infrastructure, and data processing systems

• Ability to assess existing ground segment hardware architectures, analyze proposed improvements/upgrades and provide risk assessments and mitigation recommendations

• Understanding of system security, cross-domain integration, and enterprise interfaces within IC architectures

• Experience addressing hardware obsolescence and sustainment challenges in long‑lived space systems

• Ability to assess existing ground segment hardware architectures and understand the improvements/upgrades proposed and provide risk assessments and mitigation

• Ability to provide objective, mission-focused technical advice to Government leadership

• Strong grounding in systems engineering and hardware integration principles within Government environments

• Proven ability to operate effectively in a multi‑organizational, highly classified environment

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including executive‑level briefing development

• Collaborative, mission‑driven mindset with emphasis on mission assurance and technical rigor

Desired:

• Experience supporting Intelligence Community (IC) programs, preferably in a Program Office or SETA/FFRDC role

• Familiarity with mission assurance practices and quality assessment processes

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.

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.

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.