Payload Specialist – SIGINT

Trinzic; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with company match

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life insurance

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

KBR's National Security Solutions team seeks a highly motivated System Engineer to provide SETA support for a SIGINT satellite program, based on-site in Chantilly, VA. You will guide government program management and work with prime contractors to optimize payload designs and performance.

The role requires a TS/SCI clearance, 10+ years of DoD/IC payload/space systems experience, and the ability to communicate complex technical content to leadership. Travel up to 20% within CONUS is possible.

Qualifications

• Current TS/SCI Poly clearance is required for this position
• Bachelor’s Degree in a Technical Field
• 10 years DoD/IC or relevant payload/space systems experience
• Knowledge of mission payload engineering, development, and manufacturing
• Experience with integrating satellite bus and payloads
• Ability to perform SETA to Government program office
• 5 years of experience related to Government acquisition initiatives
• Experience with Intelligence IC policies and fluency with IC organizations
• Excellent communication and coordination skills

Responsibilities

• Advise Government program management on technical design, trade space, and mission solutions for SIGINT payloads
• Support design, interpretation, and analysis of payload performance for complex SIGINT systems
• Develop system architectures, requirements, and design trades with cost, schedule, and technical impacts
• Conduct technical analysis of system solutions, limitations, and performance capabilities
• Evaluate feasibility of new antenna technologies and enhancements
• Review ICDs and system-level requirements for payload and antenna integration
• Identify program risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Review antenna manufacturing specifications for completeness and accuracy
• Perform antenna modeling and performance prediction analysis
• Participate in payload and antenna design reviews and program management reviews
• Interface with prime contractors, subcontractors, and Government organizations
• Provide risk assessments related to performance, schedule, and budget
• Ensure quality and alignment of program deliverables
• Provide strategic technical guidance to program leadership
• Conduct detailed analysis to identify performance improvements
• Support proposal reviews and acquisition strategy development
• Perform programmatic analysis to inform decisions
• Support contract performance management and QA activities
• Develop and deliver program briefings to IC and DoD stakeholders
• Maintain relationships with Maryland Customer and DNI stakeholders

Skills

System engineering

SETA support

Communication skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Oral and written communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a Technical Field

Master’s Degree in a Technical Field

Tools

ICDs review

Payload integration

Antenna modeling

Job description

Title: Payload Specialist – SIGINT

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

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.

KBR is seeking a highly motivated System Engineer to provide System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) support to a leading-edge SIGINT satellite systems program. The selected candidate will bring deep SIGINT payload expertise and apply systems engineering principles to highly classified programs while effectively communicating complex technical content to government leadership.

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.

Work Environment:

• Location: On-site

• Travel Requirements: May require travel up to 20% of time within the continental United States

• Working Hours: Standard

Key Responsibilities:

• Advise Government program management on technical design, production trade space, and mission solutions related to SIGINT payloads
• Support design, interpretation, and analysis of payload performance for complex SIGINT systems
• Assist in the development of system architectures, requirements, and design trades, including cost, schedule, and technical impacts
• Conduct technical analysis of system solutions, limitations, and performance capabilities
• Evaluate feasibility of new antenna technologies and enhancements
• Review and coordinate changes to specifications, interface control documents (ICDs), and system-level requirements for payload and antenna integration
• Identify program risks and develop/evaluate mitigation and burn-down strategies
• Review antenna manufacturing specifications to ensure completeness and accuracy
• Perform antenna modeling and performance prediction analysis
• Participate in payload and antenna design reviews and program management reviews; assess design maturity and provide recommendations to Government stakeholders
• Interface with prime contractors, subcontractors, and Government organizations to validate system design, testing, performance, and delivery
• Provide risk assessments related to performance, schedule, and budget impacts from contractor activities
• Evaluate program deliverables to ensure quality, completeness, and alignment with mission objectives
• Provide strategic technical guidance and support to program leadership, including recommendations and data analysis
• Conduct detailed analysis to identify areas for performance improvement and optimization
• Support proposal reviews and assist in development of acquisition strategies and processes
• Perform programmatic analysis to inform strategic decision-making
• Support contract performance management, including CDRL reviews, program reviews, and quality assurance activities
• Develop and deliver program briefings and advocacy materials to IC and DoD stakeholders
• Maintain strong working relationships across the enterprise, including the Maryland Customer and DNI stakeholders

Basic Compensation:

$160,000 - $205,000 USD annually

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

Required Qualifications:

• Current TS/SCI Poly clearance is required for this position
• Bachelor’s Degree in a Technical Field
• 10 years DoD/IC, or relevant industry work experience related to payload and space systems components; Experience in the development and characterizing SIGINT payloads and SIGINT space systems
• Knowledge of mission payload engineering, development, and manufacturing
• Experience with integrating satellite bus and payloads
• Ability to perform System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) to Government program office
• 5 years of experience specifically related to Government acquisition initiatives
• Experience with Intelligence IC policies and procedures and fluency with IC organizations
• Ability to work effectively in a high-paced environment on a team and as an individual
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy—oral and written
• Demonstrated attention to detail
• Excellent communication and coordination skills

Desired:

• Master’s Degree in a Technical Field
• Small Satellite Development experience

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 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 everything 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.