Integrated Protection Strategy Engineer – Senior

KBR Careers; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Potential bonuses

Relocation benefits

Job summary

KBR Careers is seeking an Integrated Protection Strategy Engineer – Senior in Springfield, Virginia. This role requires leadership in ensuring safe operations of space assets through advanced conjunction assessment and mitigation strategies. The ideal candidate will possess a Master’s degree, extensive experience in orbital mechanics, and a TS/SCI clearance. Responsibilities include developing collision avoidance algorithms and collaborating with mission teams. Join us to impact national security and advance space situational awareness.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree and 11 years of relevant experience with expertise.
• Demonstrated expertise in orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, or related disciplines.
• Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and validation of collision avoidance algorithms.
• Perform conjunction assessments to evaluate collision risk.
• Coordinate with mission operations for avoidance maneuvers.

Skills

Orbital mechanics

Astrodynamics

Conjunction assessment tools

Leadership

Technical guidance

Problem-solving

Education

Master’s degree and 11 years of relevant experience

Bachelor’s degree and 12 years of relevant experience

14 years of relevant experience without a degree

Tools

STK

FreeFlyer

Job description

Integrated Protection Strategy Engineer – Senior

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.

This is a contingent position based upon contract award.

KBR is seeking Integrated Protection Strategy Engineer – Senior, to lead the efforts to ensure safe and reliable operations of space assets through advanced conjunction assessment and mitigation strategies. This role involves developing, validating, and implementing collision avoidance algorithms, tools, and processes to protect critical systems in dynamic orbital environments. The engineer will collaborate with mission planning, flight dynamics, and operations teams to analyze risk and execute avoidance maneuvers when necessary. Candidates should demonstrate strong technical expertise, leadership in complex problem‑solving, and the ability to operate under strict timelines in high‑stakes scenarios. This position offers the opportunity to influence enterprise‑level safety standards and advance space situational awareness capabilities. The role is performed full‑time on site at a government facility and is contingent upon contract award.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and validation of collision avoidance algorithms and decision‑support tools.
• Perform conjunction assessments using industry‑standard and proprietary models to evaluate collision risk.
• Coordinate with mission operations teams to plan and execute avoidance maneuvers.
• Analyze orbital data and propagate trajectories to predict potential conjunctions.
• Develop and maintain documentation for collision avoidance processes, including risk thresholds and maneuver protocols.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and analysts.
• Interface with external organizations (e.g., government agencies, commercial partners) for data exchange and coordination.
• Support anomaly resolution and post‑event analysis for conjunction‑related incidents.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives for automation and accuracy in collision avoidance systems.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards, regulations, and best practices for space safety.

Required Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Master’s degree and 11 years of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise; or Bachelor’s degree and 12 years; or No degree and 14 years of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise.
• Demonstrated expertise in orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, or related aerospace engineering disciplines.
• Proficiency with conjunction assessment tools and orbital propagation software (e.g., STK, FreeFlyer, or equivalent).
• Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance with adjudicated polygraph.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automated collision avoidance systems and large‑scale space traffic management.
• Familiarity with international space safety standards and coordination protocols (e.g., CCSDS, ISO).

Additional Compensation

May include bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation such as sign‑on bonus, relocation benefits, short‑term incentives, long‑term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

Employment Opportunity Statement

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.

Job Reference: R2123076