Lead Systems Engineer

Trinzic; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR in Albuquerque, NM is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to support the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. An active TS/SCI clearance is required.

You will plan, execute, and monitor program cost, schedule, and performance across multiple Nuclear Systems branches and liaise with government teams. Required: Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, or management; 5–10 years of project management for NNSA/DOE or related commands; excellent communication; ability to work in a secure location and

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance required (U.S. citizen).
• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, or management.
• Knowledge of Nuclear Weapons Life Cycle and Phase 6.x refurbishment processes.
• 5–10 years of project management experience in NNSA/DOE, AF Global Strike Command, or related organization.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong collaboration and organizational skills.
• Able to work in a secure, confined location; some travel may be required.
• APDP certification and advanced STEM degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and monitor program cost, schedule, and performance for Nuclear Systems branches.
• Provide governance and stakeholder communication support.
• Oversee contractual and financial aspects of Division programs, including budgeting.
• Develop strategic planning documentation per senior leadership guidance.
• Support aging, surveillance test programs and reliability analyses.
• Define system requirements, traceability, and lifecycle compliance.
• Support resource planning: personnel, facilities, and budgets.
• Maintain awareness of nuclear certification programs and processes.
• Assist in applying DoD/DOE acquisition policies and DoDI 5000.02 guidance.
• Utilize multi-attribute decision processes for portfolio management.
• Support Branch Chief and technical teams to meet tasks.
• Support management of air-delivered weapons program test variants.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Collaboration

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced STEM degree

Job description

Title:

Lead 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.

KBR is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to join our team in Albuquerque, NM supporting the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. An active DoD TS/SCI clearance is required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in planning, execution, management, and monitoring of program cost, schedule, and performance for one of three Nuclear Systems Integration Division’s branches (Tail Kit Assembly [TKA] Branch, Weapon Systems Integration and Test Branch, or Logistics Branch) and branch programs, depending on background and experience.

• Provide expertise in project governance and stakeholder communication.

• Provide support to the government team in the development, implementation, and control of all contractual and financial aspects of Division programs, to include planning management, acquisition strategy, and budget execution.

• Support development of strategic planning documentation detailing senior leader direction, policy, and direction for Division programs.

• Support planning and execution of the TKA aging and surveillance test program; demonstrate experience in on-aircraft and laboratory test planning and execution, and familiarity with using reliability and statistical software

• Perform system requirements cultivation, definition, and management; develop and maintain system requirements specifications, traceability, and compliance throughout project lifecycles

• Support the establishment of resource needs such as personnel, facilities, and budgets to facilitate program execution.

• Keep abreast of nuclear certification programs and processes

• Support DoDI 5000.02, DoDM 5030.55/AFI 63-103 and DOE Phase 6.X acquisition process and AFI 63-125 Nuclear Certification processes.

• Provide expertise in qualitative and quantitative techniques for gathering, analyzing, and measuring the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of acquisition.

• Plan, research, analyze and assess system acquisition in terms of development, production, and deployment of weapons systems and associated equipment to formulate plans and make strategy recommendations to meet cost, schedule, and performance.

• Use multi-attribute tradespace exploration philosophies and workflows to ensure digital material management and multi-criteria decision making are implemented throughout the portfolio of programs, projects, and initiatives.

• Support the Branch Chief and technical support teams to meet Branch tasks.

• Support AFNWC/NDS management of all current and future air-delivered gravity bomb and warhead families (B83, B61and W80) and associated test variants and support equipment.

Qualifications:

Required:

• An active TS/SCI clearance is required, which is something only a U.S. citizen can obtain.

• Bachelor’s degree is required; science, engineering, or management is preferred.

• Understanding of the Nuclear Weapons Life Cycle and the Phase 6.x process for refurbishment activities of existing nuclear weapons systems (B61, B83, W80 integration into the Long Range Standoff Missile).

• 5 - 10 years of project management experience supporting National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), DOE, AF Global Strike Command, or related organization.

• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Superior collaboration and organizational skills.

• Proactive and highly motivated.

• Able to work in a secure, confined location.

• Some travel to support customer mission and goals may be required.

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced STEM degree is preferred.

• Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) certification preferred.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40hrs

Work Environment:

• Location: On-site at Kirtland AFB, NM

• Travel Requirements: Minimal (<20%)

• Working Hours: Standard

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 KBRAt 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.