Ground System Engineer III

KBR Careers; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR in Sioux Falls, SD, is seeking a Senior-Level Ground System Interface Engineer to join the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. You’ll lead interface design, drive system integration activities, and collaborate with mission partners to deliver reliable, scalable ground systems.

The role is full-time and onsite, requiring strong communication and leadership as you mentor engineers and shape the next generation of remote sensing data pipelines for global users.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive, related experience in systems engineering or software development for scientific/engineering applications
• Proven ability to lead complex system design and integration efforts
• Strong understanding of Systems Engineering and Project Life Cycle, configuration management, and quality assurance principles

Responsibilities

• Define interface requirements and develop resulting interface control/specification documents
• Develop N2 diagrams or similar matrix diagrams to promote understanding of interfaces, dataflows and data building throughout the system of systems
• Develop and execute system integration and test plans; perform integration, system, and acceptance testing
• Evaluate component products for interface control/specification document compliance through inspection and analysis
• Perform detailed verification and validation of the integrated ground system requirements with a focus on interface requirements
• Provide support on technical and engineering matters, leading or participating in trade studies, simulations and modeling
• Conduct systems engineering activities in accordance with an established Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP)
• Support system testing from component through system and mission integration

Skills

Systems engineering

Project lifecycle

Configuration management

Quality assurance

Agile methodologies

Cloud technologies

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or related field

Tools

Visio

Copilot

DOORS

SharePoint

Jira

Job description

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.

Title Ground System Engineer III

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.

Ground System Engineer III Join us at the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center and help shape the future of Earth science data systems. As part of our mission-driven team, you’ll contribute to projects that make a global impact, supporting research, innovation, and technology that empower scientists and decision‑makers worldwide.

Position Overview

KBR is seeking a Senior-Level Ground System Interface Engineer in Sioux Falls, SD, to support the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. This is a full-time, onsite role that requires regular in-person interaction with team members, scientists, and domestic and international mission partners. This team, in collaboration with NASA and the Landsat 10 project, specializes in developing the next generation of remote sensing to the historic Landsat Programs fifty plus years of satellite imagery data available to global users and science organizations.

Why You'll Love This Role

You will lead architecture decisions, mentor engineers, and ensure mission-critical systems meet stringent performance, reliability and security standards. Your work will shape the future of Earth observation technologies and have global impact.

Core Responsibilities

Candidates must have strong technical abilities, excellent communication skills, and teamwork emphasis. Candidates must also be able to integrate into a highly skilled software development team.

• Define interface requirements and develop resulting interface control/specification documents
• Develop N2 diagrams or similar matrix diagrams to promote understanding of interfaces, dataflows and data building throughout the system of systems
• Develop and execute system integration and test plans; perform integration, system, and acceptance testing
• Evaluate component products for interface control/specification document compliance through inspection and analysis
• Perform detailed verification and validation of the integrated ground system requirements with a focus on interface requirements
• Provide support on technical and engineering matters, leading or participating in trade studies, simulations and modeling
• Conduct systems engineering activities in accordance with an established Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP)
• Support system testing from component through system and mission integration

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or related field
• 8+ years of progressive, related experience in systems engineering or software development for scientific/engineering applications
• Proven ability to lead complex system design and integration efforts
• Strong understanding of Systems Engineering and Project Life Cycle, configuration management, and quality assurance principles

Desired Skills

• Agile system and software methodology experience
• Knowledge of basic ground system operations including mission operations, radio frequency communications, image processing, data routing and anomaly investigations.
• Knowledge of cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, etc.) for implementing interfaces between systems.
• Proficiency with tools such as Visio, Copilot, DOORS, SharePoint and Jira
• Ability to facilitate discussions effectively with other engineering staff of a multi-disciplined team, including strong interpersonal and team skills
• Excellent organizational, communication, and analytical skills
• Verbal/Presentation Skills: Ability to support formal project reviews and provide impromptu briefings
• Ability to conduct trade studies for technology upgrades, cloud services, system modeling, and software updates
• Previous experience working with a diverse set of stakeholders, both domestic and international

Special Requirements

Three years of continuous residency in the US for issuance of a Government Security credential

The candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a national agency check and background investigation after hiring to obtain a badge for government facility access and user account

Experience and/or Education in lieu of these qualifications will be reviewed for applicability to meet these requirements.

KBR partners with several other companies to fulfill its requirements as a government contractor. The selected subcontracting companies align their benefits as closely as possible to those above.

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.