Payload Specialist – SIGINT

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

Benefits offered by this job

KBR Benefits

Career development

Job summary

KBR is seeking a System Engineer with SIGINT payload expertise to support SETA activities for a high-visibility satellite program. The role requires TS/SCI clearance, a technical degree, and extensive DoD/IC experience in payload engineering and satellite integration.

The candidate will advise government program management, perform system analysis, and coordinate with prime contractors and government organizations to ensure successful delivery.

Qualifications

• Current TS/SCI Poly clearance is required for this position.
• Bachelor's Degree in a Technical Field.
• 10 years DoD/IC experience related to payload and space systems.
• Knowledge of mission payload engineering, development, and manufacturing.
• Experience with integrating satellite bus and payloads.
• Ability to perform SETA to Government program offices.
• Experience with Intelligence IC policies; fluency with IC organizations.
• Ability to work in a high-paced environment and communicate clearly.
• Demonstrated attention to detail; excellent communication and coordination skills.
• Master's Degree is a plus for growth.

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 development of system architectures, requirements, and design trades, including cost, schedule, and technical impacts.
• Conduct technical analysis of system solutions, limitations, and performance capabilities.
• Review antenna manufacturing specifications to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Perform antenna modeling and performance prediction analysis.
• Interface with prime contractors, subcontractors, and Government organizations to validate system design, testing, performance, and delivery.
• Provide program briefings and advocacy materials to IC and DoD stakeholders.
• Maintain relationships across the enterprise, including Maryland Customer and DNI stakeholders.

Skills

TS/SCI Clearance

Payload engineering

Satellite integration

SETA experience

IC policies familiarity

Clear communication

Attention to detail

Program management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a Technical Field

Master's Degree in a Technical Field

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'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.