Materials Engineer

KBR Careers; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan with company match

Medical and dental insurance

Flexible work schedule

Professional training and development

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Senior Materials Engineer in Chantilly, Virginia, to provide technical expertise in materials for satellite systems. Candidates should have over 8 years of experience in materials engineering and an active TS/SCI clearance. Responsibilities include supporting material selection and testing for optical components used in defense systems. The role requires strong teamwork and communication skills, along with a bachelor's degree in materials engineering or a related field.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in materials engineering.
• Must be a U.S. citizen with active TS/SCI clearance.
• Knowledge of environmental and operational requirements for materials in space.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support related to material selection.
• Lead project teams to qualify and test materials for space vehicles.
• Assess contractor designs for material performance in space environments.

Skills

Knowledge of materials and processes for aerospace product development

Strong oral and written communication skills

Ability to work in a team environment

Experience in technical requirements establishment

Ability to handle shifting priorities

Education

Bachelor’s degree in materials engineering or related STEM

Master’s or Ph.D. degree in materials engineering or related STEM

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

Job description

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

Title

Materials Engineer

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.

Position Summary

KBR National Security Solutions is seeking a motivated and talented Senior Materials Engineer to join our team in Chantilly, Virginia and to support a major U.S. Government organization responsible for the acquisition, integration, and operation of proliferated satellite constellations. The selected candidate for this position will provide technical expertise in optical systems and advanced materials supporting spacecraft and payload development. This role would augment existing systems engineering capabilities by providing deeper insight into material selection, optical performance considerations, and environmental survivability for space systems. The candidate will work as part of an integrated Government and contractor team delivering resilient, scalable space capabilities in support of national security missions.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support related to the selection of materials, optical components, and coatings.
• Lead small-group project teams to propose, select, qualify, and test metals and composites for Electro-Optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar space vehicles.
• Assess contractor designs for material performance in space environments for thermal, radiation, and contamination performance.
• Support anomaly investigations related to material or optical performance.
• Advise on trade studies involving materials, manufacturing processes, and performance impacts.
• Collaborate with payload, mechanical, and systems engineers to ensure material decisions align with mission requirements.
• Perform Materials and Processes (M&P) technical engineering assignments.
• Troubleshoot problems and work with contractors to find innovative solutions.
• Prepare technical and progress reports on assigned tasks, prepare specifications, evaluate suppliers, and analyze test reports.
• Contribute to system documentation, reviews, and decision briefings for Government leadership.
• Document, develop and deliver analyses, recommendations, plans, reports, and briefings to the Government.
• Support the development and integration of automated test solutions and continuous improvement in software design and architecture.

Work Environment

• Location: On-Site
• Travel Requirements: Minimal (less than 25%) travel to contractor facilities, test sites, or launch locations.
• Working Hours: Flexible. Standard Government work hour support and surge support during integration and launch phases.

Required Qualifications

• Citizenship: Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
• Clearance: Active TS/SCI clearance (with current polygraph).
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in materials engineering, or a related STEM technical discipline. Specific contract requirements regarding education and experience will prevail.
• Relevant Experience: Demonstrated 8+ years of experience in materials engineering.
• Knowledge of materials and processes for aerospace product development, improvement, design, application, and production including soldering, PCBs, additive manufacturing, bonding, polymers, coatings, and metals.
• Experience establishing and implementing technical requirements (specifications, program plans/requirements, etc.).
• Knowledge of environmental and operational requirements for materials in space and/or missile applications (oxidation, thermal stress, radiation, etc.).
• A motivated individual who can work closely within a geographically diverse team to resolve technical issues.
• Someone with the ability to handle shifting priorities, multiple projects and timeline pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to take initiative, proactively address customer requirements with no supervision, and expertly define solutions for broad, abstract topics.
• Ability to work with standard business management tools and financial systems, MS Office, and project management software.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain trusted client relationships.
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with demonstrated ability to communicate technical issues clearly to customer or Government leadership.

Desired Qualifications

• Education: Master’s or Ph.D. degree in materials engineering or a related STEM technical discipline.
• Relevant Ground Experience: Demonstrated 10+ years of experience supporting materials engineering is preferred.
• Familiarity with JIRA and Confluence.
• Knowledge of U.S. Government contracting and federal acquisition regulations, spacecraft lifecycle milestones and review processes, and success in operating within this environment.

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.

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.

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.

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’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.

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