Lead Systems Engineer

KBR, Inc; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR, Inc. is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to provide strategic technical leadership for the Fires portfolio within the Missile, Aviation, and Ground Systems division.

The role spans systems engineering, mission engineering, and integration of weapons and C2 networks to deliver interoperable, joint-ready capabilities while guiding technical excellence across the lifecycle. The candidate will work with government leadership, industry partners, and engineers to develop capability roadmaps,

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with ability to obtain a polygraph is required.
• Broad systems engineering background in Army/DoD or joint air & missile defense programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams to integrate weapons, sensors, launchers, and C2 systems into interoperable capabilities.
• Define long-range integration strategies and roadmaps in alignment with government architectures.
• Oversee requirements, architecture evaluations, and performance analyses to guide development paths.
• Translate mission objectives into system and capability requirements and communicate findings to senior leadership.
• Mentor and lead Senior, Mid, and Junior Systems Engineers across the PAE‑Fires portfolio.

Skills

Top Secret/SCI clearance

Systems engineering

Education

Master's degree in Systems Engineering

Tools

MBSE

Job description

Lead Systems Engineer

Program Summary

KBR’s Missile, Aviation, and Ground Systems (MAGS) division delivers mission engineering solutions for critical U.S. Army programs, specializing in aviation and ground systems, integrated air and missile defense, and threat and target systems. As a trusted partner of the U.S. Department of War, MAGS provides innovative, technology-driven solutions to enhance national security. With a global presence and a strong ethical framework, KBR ensures secure, effective, and mission‑ready capabilities worldwide.

Job Summary

KBR is seeking a highly accomplished Lead Systems Engineer to provide strategic technical leadership in support of the Fires Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE)-Fires mission. The Lead Systems Engineer will lead multidisciplinary engineering teams responsible for integrating weapons, sensors, launchers, command and control systems, and networks into cohesive, interoperable capabilities that are joint‑and coalition‑ready. The successful candidate will work closely with government leadership, industry partners, and technical staff to develop and deliver affordable, rapid, and effective solutions that address critical warfighter capability gaps. This position requires expertise spanning systems engineering, acquisition, mission engineering, systems integration, modeling and simulation, test and evaluation, and capability fielding. The Lead Systems Engineer serves as a trusted advisor to senior government and military leaders, ensuring technical rigor, innovation, and engineering excellence throughout the lifecycle of Integrated Fires programs. The individual will be responsible for strategic technical planning, system architecture and design, hardware/software/network integration, verification and validation, risk management, and transition of capabilities to operational forces. The ideal candidate will be flexible, self‑directed, team‑oriented, and capable of managing ambiguity.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the PAE‑Fires Executive Leadership Team to define and lead strategic engineering initiatives that advance engineering tools, methodologies and digital engineering capabilities needed to accelerate delivery of warfighting capabilities.
• Serve as a senior technical advisor to Government leadership on systems engineering, mission engineering, technology integration, and capability development strategies.
• Develop and maintain long‑range systems integration strategies, technology roadmaps, and engineering modernization initiatives.
• Oversee system requirements, architecture evaluations, technology trade studies, and performance assessments to guide development paths.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, technical trends, and innovative solutions applicable to current and future Integrated Fires challenges.
• Support and lead Analysis of Alternatives (AoAs), Courses of Action (CoAs), trade studies, engineering assessments, and performance analyses.
• Conduct objective assessments of system performance, operational effectiveness, and mission outcomes through scenario development, modeling, simulation, and engineering analysis.
• Lead systems engineering activities including requirements analysis, functional decomposition, architecture development, interface definition, requirements allocation, integration planning, and technical management.
• Guide the development and implementation of Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) solutions and ensure alignment with Government Reference Architectures and digital engineering strategies.
• Assist the Government in translating mission objectives, operational needs, and customer requirements into system and capability requirements.
• Effectively communicate technical findings, trade‑offs, risks, and recommendations to senior Government and military decision‑makers.
• Provide engineering leadership and oversight throughout the system lifecycle, from requirements development through fielding and transition to operations.
• Ensure the integrity, quality, completeness, and technical excellence of engineering products, analyses, recommendations, and deliverables.
• Resolve complex technical issues, risks, and conflicts affecting program execution.
• Participate in and lead technical design reviews, architecture reviews, engineering assessments, and study efforts as required.
• Develop and support forward‑looking proposals, demonstrations, prototypes, and experiments that advance Integrated Fires capabilities.
• Foster an environment of critical thinking, innovation, technical rigor, and continuous improvement.
• Lead, mentor, and oversee Senior, Mid, and Junior level Systems Engineers supporting the PAE‑Fires portfolio.
• Serve as a trusted technical resource for evaluating engineering concepts, approaches, and solutions proposed by staff and partners.
• Promote participation in professional engineering organizations, technical committees, conferences, and industry forums.
• Support strategic recruiting, workforce development, retention, and growth of highly qualified technical personnel.

Required Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI (TS/SCI) security clearance with the ability to obtain a Poly required 20+ years of technical experience.
• Master’s degree or higher in Systems Engineering or in related technical or scientific fields such as engineering, physics, mathematics, operations research, engineering management, or related STEM degree.
• Broad systems engineering skills and background with experience in US Army and/or joint air and missile defense research, development, test, and operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications in systems engineering such as INCOSE ASEP, CSEP, ESEP.
• Certifications in MBSE and demonstrated experience with MBSE, processes, tools and languages.
• Experience with developing solutions for and working on DoD or Army programs.
• Expert‑level experience in system engineering of large complex System of Systems.
• Expert‑level experience with systems engineering lifecycle.
• Experience interacting with senior government and military leaders at the O‑6 level or equivalent and above.
• Experience in writing subsystem specifications and managing tasks to cross‑discipline technical contributors.

Culture & Values

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.

KBR — Delivering Solutions, Changing the World. KBR brings together the best and brightest to deliver science, technology and engineering solutions that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most critical missions and objectives. In everything we do, we are guided by our ONE KBR Values: We Value Our People – We create diverse, inclusive environments in which each person can feel safe, respected and valued, and where everyone has opportunities to grow and reach their full potential. We Deliver – We are uncompromising in our commitment to deliver innovative, high‑quality, technology‑led solutions for our customers and exceptional, sustainable value for all our stakeholders. We Are People of Integrity – We value honesty, trust, courage, fairness, prudence and tenacity. We believe doing what’s right for the planet, the communities where we work, and our people is good for business. We Empower – We empower our people with a shared purpose, the right tools and the supportive culture they need to be proactive decision‑makers, to be adaptive to change, and to succeed. We Are a Team of Teams – We have a will to succeed, but we value the achievements of our team of teams over individual accomplishments. Our collective focus makes us a better, stronger, more effective company. We have also embedded environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in every business operation and corporate function. Not only are we committed to operating safely, sustainably and equitably, but we are also committed to using our capabilities and expertise to help our customers accomplish their sustainability goals. Worldwide, KBR employs a diverse workforce approximately 29,000 people strong, with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in 40 countries. At KBR, We Deliver.