Principal Software Engineer

KBR Careers; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 143,000 - 214,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR Careers in Colorado Springs, CO is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead high-availability, mission-critical software systems supporting AFRL initiatives. The role emphasizes architecture, technical strategy, and cross-functional teamwork.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years of experience, strong Java/Python skills, and a TS/SCI clearance, with a Bachelor’s in a technical field. Onsite work in Colorado Springs is expected, with opportunities to shape national-scale software solutions.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive software engineering experience.
• Extensive experience designing distributed, high-availability software systems.
• Advanced expertise with Java, Python, or OO languages.
• Experience leading software architecture and technical strategy efforts.
• Experience guiding engineering teams through full SDLC.
• Experience developing complex data processing or real-time streaming systems.
• Led cross-functional engineering teams on large technical initiatives.
• Strong communication with engineers, leadership and customers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical leader for software development efforts supporting high-velocity data stream processing systems.
• Define software architecture, technical strategy, and long-term roadmap for mission-critical applications.
• Translate mission objectives into scalable system and software solutions.
• Lead architecture reviews, design reviews, and technology evaluations.
• Drive development of highly available, resilient software systems.
• Establish software engineering standards and governance across teams.
• Lead complex integration, testing, and deployment across multiple programs.
• Evaluate vendor technologies and emerging technologies for program adoption.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership for multiple teams.
• Coordinate planning, staffing, and execution of software activities.
• Serve as trusted technical advisor to program leadership and customers.

Skills

Distributed systems

Software architecture

Java

Python

SDLC leadership

Real-time streaming

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Education

Top Secret/SCI clearance

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/Math

Job description

Title: Principal Software Engineer 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 Principal Software Engineer to join us in supporting our great nation, supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) development team in Colorado Springs, CO.

Why Join Us?

Innovative Projects: At KBR, you'll be working on prototype projects that support the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s most mission-critical objectives. The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace force.

Collaborative Environment: KBR fosters a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere where cross-functional teams of product managers, engineers, developers, and defense experts work in unison. We practice Agile and DevOps principles, ensuring rapid iteration, continuous feedback, and integration across all projects. Our team is passionate, forward-thinking, and united by a mission-first mindset that encourages knowledge sharing, innovation, and problem-solving at every level.

Impactful Work: Your work here won’t just be limited to software development—it will directly support the Air Force in expanding current national capabilities. As the Air Force's leader for National-to-Tactical capability development, AFRL collaborates with leading experts across the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, National Laboratories, industry, inter-agency, academia, and partner nations.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical leader for software development efforts supporting high-velocity data stream processing systems
• Define software architecture, technical strategy, and long-term roadmap for mission-critical applications
• Analyze customer requirements and translate mission objectives into scalable system and software solutions
• Lead architecture reviews, design reviews, and technology evaluations
• Drive development of highly available, resilient, and high-performance software systems
• Establish software engineering standards, best practices, and technical governance across teams
• Lead complex integration, test, and deployment activities across multiple programs and stakeholders
• Evaluate vendor technologies, open-source solutions, and emerging technologies for program adoption
• Lead technical investigations, trade studies, and root-cause analyses for mission-critical issues
• Mentor engineers across all levels and provide technical leadership for multiple teams
• Coordinate planning, staffing, scheduling, and execution of software engineering activities
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to program leadership, customers, and mission partners

Work Environment

Location: Colorado Springs, CO – 100% Onsite

Travel Requirements: Minimal

Working Hours: Standard

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive software engineering experience
• Extensive experience designing and developing distributed, high-availability, mission-critical software systems
• Advanced expertise with Java, Python, or other object-oriented programming languages
• Demonstrated experience leading software architecture and technical strategy efforts
• Experience guiding engineering teams through the full software development lifecycle
• Experience developing complex data processing, integration, or real-time streaming systems
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional engineering teams and large technical initiatives
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage engineers, leadership, and customers

Required Education and Experience

• Active U.S. Government Top Secret / SCI security clearance (U.S. citizenship required)
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical field
• 10+ years of progressive related experience

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science or related field
• Deep knowledge of MIL-STD-6016 and MIL-STD-3011
• Experience serving as a software architect, chief engineer, or technical lead across multiple projects
• Experience modernizing legacy systems and implementing technology roadmaps
• Expertise in TDD, CI/CD, DevSecOps, and Agile methodologies
• Security+ or higher DoD 8570/8140 certification
• Demonstrated ability to influence organizational technical direction and mentor engineering talent across multiple teams

Basic Compensation

$142,800 - $214,200 (For the Colorado Springs Area Only) The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.

Additional Compensation

KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of a sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

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.