Junior Systems Engineer

KBR; Kihei (HI); On-site; USD 77,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan with company match

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Junior Systems Engineer to contribute to space-domain awareness initiatives. The role covers hardware and software for Raven-class small-aperture telescope systems, including field deployment, maintenance and lifecycle support.

Ideal candidates have a systems/engineering background, experience with Python/C/C++, Linux scripting, and willingness to travel to remote sites. The position includes hands-on testing, design, and integration work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Systems/Engineering or related discipline.
• 0–3 years experience; more accepted in lieu of degree.
• Strong background in modern guidance, estimation and control for aerospace systems.
• Ability to develop software for telescope systems using Python/C/C++ and Linux shell.

Responsibilities

• Develop operable system meeting mass, cost and schedule constraints.
• Design subsystem interfaces to integrate into a complete system.
• Perform functional analysis to verify performance criteria and mission constraints.
• Prepare design sketches and equipment layouts for subsystems.
• Assist with technical reports, graphs and charts.
• Operate, maintain and sustain distributed telescope systems in the field.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Linux scripting

Systems engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering

Tools

CMake

Visual Studio

GCC

Clang

Job description

Title:

Junior 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.

Job Title: Junior Systems Engineer

Summary:

The Junior Systems Engineer will demonstrate a strong interest in space and hands-on engineering work. The role spans both physical telescope systems and the software used to command, control, and monitor them. The individual will support end-to-end deployment of small telescope systems, including designing mechanical adapters and interfaces, conducting camera studies and system burn-in, and performing installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting activities. Work will be conducted at laboratory facilities and fielded observatory sites, including operations at high-altitude locations such as Haleakalā Mountain, with additional travel to remote deployment locations as required.

The individual will work as part of a high-performance engineering team developing and sustaining advanced Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capabilities. This role supports the design, development, integration, verification, deployment, and long-term maintenance of a network of Raven-class small-aperture telescope systems. Responsibilities span system hardware and software across the full lifecycle, including hands-on integration and test, operational support, performance assessment, and fielded system sustainment.

Responsibilities:

• Performs a variety of engineering work in the development of an operable system capable of meeting requirements within imposed constraints including mass, cost and schedule.
• Designs and/or research subsystem interfaces to ensure that subsystems are integrated and work together to form a viable complete system.
• Performs functional analysis of a system to ensure it meets performance criteria and mission constraints and to feed the analysis results back to the subsystem development teams.
• Prepares design sketches and general equipment design of simple parts, subsystem interfaces, system layouts, etc.
• Performs relatively simple engineering and mathematical formulas and computations.
• Prepares analysis of technical data and information resulting from tests, studies, analysis, etc.
• Assisting other technical personnel in the preparation of technical reports, graphs and charts.
• May participate as a member of a team; primary contact is immediate supervisor.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Other responsibilities include:

• Operate, maintain, and sustain a geographically distributed network of small-aperture telescope systems in operational environments.
• Perform hands-on troubleshooting and repair of optical, mechanical, electrical, and software components to restore system functionality and performance.
• Support deployment, alignment, calibration, and commissioning of telescope systems in the field.
• Diagnose performance degradation at the system level and identify corrective maintenance or software updates.
• Execute preventative maintenance activities to maximize system uptime and operational availability.
• Maintain configuration control of hardware, firmware, and software across multiple deployed systems.
• Support remote operations, monitoring, and fault response for unattended telescope assets.
• Conceiving, designing, analyzing, simulating, overseeing, and assessing complex performance at the telescope system level.
• Ensuring the delivery of complex algorithms and software to system integration and test.
• Developing and implementing detailed test and verification plans from the subsystem.
• Validating and documenting the performance of these systems prior to delivering them to the customers.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related technical discipline
• 0-3 years of related experience. Additional years of experience will be accepted in lieu of degree.
• A strong technical background in the areas of modern guidance, estimation and control with application to aerospace systems
• Capability to perform research and development of advanced telescope systems for space exploration applications.
• Understanding programming languages such as Python, C/C++, and Linux shell scripting, and be able to write code in those languages to support testing, integration, deployment and operations of small telescope systems.
• Experience in wiring power and communication data lines for equipment to include, but not limited to, Ethernet, Camera Link, USB, 120 V power, 240 V power, and fiber optical cables.
• Familiarity with build systems for software to include CMake, UV, PIP, Visual Studio, GCC, Clang, or other such software packages.
• Ability to troubleshoot software issues during development, testing, integration and operations portions of the small telescope systems.
• Mechanical design and measurements for the creation of 3D printed components for rapid prototyping of beam train components for telescope systems.
• Knowledge of telescope focus, and the ability to create mating interfaces for attachment of sensors, filter wheels, focusers, extenders and other optical components.
• A proven team player and effective leader with excellent communication, interpersonal, verbal and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel for deployments to remote locations to work on maintenance, upgrades, and replacements of computer hardware, collection hardware, and networking equipment.
• Must be able to handle power tools, manual tools, and have sensitivity to the fragile electronic and optical equipment used in every day testing, analysis, maintenance, and operations.
• Experience developing software for the control, monitoring, and automation of laboratories or fielded hardware systems.
• Experience writing analysis or diagnostic software to assess system performance using collected telemetry or image data.
• Familiarity with real-time or near-real-time control loops for motion, pointing, or focus control.
• Experience interfacing software with cameras, motion controllers, sensors, and networking hardware.

Desired Qualifications:

• Willingness and ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.
• Strong technology development background.
• Experience with the development of instrument/optical pointing systems and integrated hardware and software systems.
• Experience working with detectors and high-rate control systems.
• Experience in the design of autonomous systems and tasking, collection, processing and dissemination autonomy.

Basic Compensation:

For Hawaii only, the approximate salary range is $77,000-$100,000.

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

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.

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.

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.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR
At KBR, we are passionate about 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.