Ground Software Systems Engineer

KBR; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Ground Software Systems Engineer to join the National Security Solutions team. The role focuses on ground system command and control software requirements, design analysis, coding, and verification, including DevSecOps for cloud deployment and long-term supportability.

Strong background in agile methods and DoD/IC acquisition is required. The position requires active TS/SCI with Poly, a BS degree (MS preferred), and 9+ years of relevant experience with a BS (or 6+ years with an

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph
• 9+ years of experience with a BS degree or 6+ years with an MS degree
• Prior ground system experience in a major satellite program office or commercial SATCOM
• Familiar with agile software development processes and metrics
• Knowledge of DevSecOps for building software to deploy into the Cloud
• Experience with DoD/IC acquisition processes and program management milestones
• Experience with software security best practices for code implementation and design

Responsibilities

• Provide expert analysis on ground systems software requirements, design, installation, test, and operation support.
• Monitor system software adherence to requirements and coordinate with stakeholders.
• Develop and assess briefing packages for SPO engineering, risk, and program-management reviews.
• Support software specification development and test planning activities.
• Monitor cloud-based, satellite command and control system deployment and transition to operations.
• Review and verify software interface definitions to ensure requirement allocation accuracy.
• Coordinate with spacecraft bus development and ground systems software teams.
• Assist in specification changes and integration into the baseline.
• Coordinate discrepancy reports and communicate them to the Government.
• Mentor customer personnel on Segment architecture, specification, and verification.

Skills

DevSecOps

Agile software development

Acquisition & DoD/IC process

Information Assurance concepts

Leadership & mentoring

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Title:

Ground Software Systems Engineer

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!

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.

KBR is seeking an SME to perform SETA functions in an exciting opportunity within a Systems Program Office within the Customer Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Office. The candidate will be an integral participant in ground system command and control software requirements development, design analysis, coding, and verification. Key areas of focus include ground system full life cycle software procurement from requirements identification and development through system test, sell-off delivery, and installation at operating location. Requires an understanding of DevSecOps for building software to deploy into the Cloud. Must be familiar with computer architectures from both hardware and software perspectives in order to provide analysis and recommendations for ground command and control operations and maintenance and ground system network long‑term supportability. Track ground system software development issues and upcoming events – provide status updates to the client as needed. Identify and assess emerging risks and develop & evaluate proposed burn-down plans. Review developer’s readiness to proceed into factory and site test and evaluation. The candidate will also be an integral part of software requirements definition, development, allocation, design, and verification.

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.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide expert advice/analysis on ground systems software requirements, design, installation, test, and operations support for the ground system’s command, control, configuration.

• Monitor and ensure overall system software adhere to systems requirements, program ground system requirements, assess verification methodologies and coordinate developer’s CONOPs with stakeholders.

• Assess evolving Information Assurance standards in the context of planned product obsolescence.

• Provide day-to-day support to customer lead. Develop and assess briefing packages for SPO engineering, risk, and program-management reviews.

• Support relevant ground system software and hardware specification development and test planning activities.

• Monitor the development, installation, and transition to operations of a cloud-based, satellite command and control system.

• Monitor developer completion of ground segment specification sell-off, along with other verification and validation activities to include cross-organizational thread‑lead support for ground segment requirements sell-off.

• Provide expert advice concerning software development – review software interface definition for accuracy to ensure requirement allocation documentation is complete and accurate.

• Coordinate with spacecraft bus development team and ground systems software.

• Coordinate across the Program Office for any proposed specification changes and facilitate integration of changes into the baseline.

• Coordinate Discrepancy reports and assist in the prioritization and communication of reports to the Government.

• Develop productive relationships with development contractor counterparts, functional counterparts, and other spacecraft, payload, and ground subject matter experts.

• Advise and mentor customer personnel regarding Segment architecture, specification, and verification and validation.

Basic Compensation:

$160,000 - $205,000 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.

Required:

• Active/Current TS/SCI with Poly.

• BS Degree required.

• 9+ years of experience with a BS degree, 6+ years of experience with an MS degree.

• Prior ground system experience in a major satellite program office or commercial SATCOM office.

• Demonstrated knowledgeable of DevSecOps.

• Must be familiar with agile software development processes and associated metrics.

• Demonstrated knowledge of acquisition, development and O&M practices for large, complex systems.

• Experience in DoD/IC acquisition process and program management milestones.

• Familiarity with Customer software security best practices for software code implementation and design.

• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team building and problem solving skills with demonstrated ability to be effective in a USG/Contractor team.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

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.