Purge Technician

KBR Careers; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 97,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan with company match

Medical, dental, vision

Life insurance

Flexible spending account

Paid time off

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

KBR seeks a Purge Technician to support NASA Goddard Space Flight Center activities, focusing on purge systems, gas handling, and contamination control. You will help fabricate, assemble, maintain, test, certify, and refurbish purge equipment and pressure systems while ensuring NASA standards and safety compliance.

You will collaborate with engineers, contamination control, QA, and customers across spacecraft integration and testing phases to ensure mission success and schedule alignment.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; 10+ years in mechanical/ aerospace purge or related operations.
• Reading and interpreting technical drawings, schematics and procedures is essential.
• Strong troubleshooting, documentation and ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Support flight hardware purge operations during spacecraft assembly, integration, testing, transportation, storage, and launch preparation.
• Assemble, install, operate, troubleshoot, maintain, and refurbish purge systems and related equipment.
• Perform leak testing, pressure testing, flow verification, and operational checkout of purge systems and components.
• Support certification and recertification activities for purge equipment and ground pressure systems.
• Assist with inventory management, calibration tracking, and maintenance scheduling.
• Maintain purge logs, certification documentation, test records, and reports.
• Support contamination control activities and ensure compliance with cleanroom requirements.
• Assist engineering with design improvements and sustainment activities.
• Support development and execution of procedures and checklists.
• Participate in troubleshooting and root cause investigations for purge systems.
• Ensure activities comply with NASA, GSFC, OSHA, and KBR safety requirements.
• Coordinate with project engineers, system owners, quality personnel, and customers to support schedules.

Skills

Purge systems

Pressure vessels

Reading schematics

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Cleanroom environments

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associates Degree or 14 years experience in lieu

Tools

Hand tools

Test equipment

Measurement instruments

Job description

Title: Purge Technician Position Summary

KBR is seeking a Purge Technician to support NASA flight hardware, spacecraft integration and test activities, and ground support operations at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The successful candidate will provide hands-on technical support for gas purge systems, pressure vessels, pressurized systems (PVS), flight purge equipment, and associated hardware used to maintain contamination control and environmental requirements for flight projects. This position supports the fabrication, assembly, maintenance, testing, operation, certification, and refurbishment of purge equipment and pressure systems while ensuring compliance with NASA standards, safety requirements, and contamination control protocols. The Purge Technician will work closely with engineers, project teams, contamination control personnel, quality assurance personnel, and NASA customers throughout all phases of spacecraft integration and testing activities.

Key Responsibilities

Support flight hardware purge operations during spacecraft assembly, integration, testing, transportation, storage, and launch preparation activities.

Assemble, install, operate, troubleshoot, maintain, and refurbish purge systems, purge suitcases, hoses, regulators, valves, gauges, and associated support equipment.

Perform leak testing, pressure testing, flow verification, and operational checkout of purge systems and components.

Support certification and recertification activities for purge equipment and ground pressure systems.

Assist with inventory management, calibration tracking, and maintenance scheduling of purge equipment and pressure system assets.

Maintain purge logs, certification documentation, test records, and operational reports.

Support contamination control activities and ensure compliance with cleanroom requirements.

Assist engineering personnel with design improvements, component replacement, and sustainment activities for purge systems.

Support development and execution of procedures, work instructions, and operational checklists.

Participate in troubleshooting and root cause investigations involving purge systems and pressure equipment.

Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with NASA, GSFC, OSHA, and KBR safety requirements.

Coordinate with project engineers, system owners, quality personnel, and customers to support mission and project schedules.

Required Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED required. Minimum 10 years of experience supporting mechanical, aerospace, pressure system, industrial gas, pneumatic, or related technical operations. Experience working with gas delivery systems, pressure regulators, valves, tubing, fittings, or pressurized equipment. Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, assembly instructions, and operating procedures. Mechanical aptitude and experience using hand tools, test equipment, and troubleshooting methods. Ability to maintain accurate documentation and records. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Ability to obtain and maintain NASA site access. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and work in laboratory, cleanroom, and industrial environments.

Desired Qualifications

Associates Degree or 14 years of experience in lieu of education. Experience supporting NASA, aerospace, defense, or flight hardware programs. Knowledge of NASA-STD-8719.17, GPR 8710.3, ASME pressure system standards, or related industry requirements. Experience operating high-pressure gas systems and supporting pressure vessel or pressure system activities. Previous certification as a High Pressure Operator or equivalent qualification. Experience supporting contamination-controlled or cleanroom operations. Familiarity with leak detection, pressure testing, flow measurement, and instrumentation. Experience supporting spacecraft integration and test activities. Knowledge of configuration management, quality assurance, and safety compliance processes. Working Conditions Work will primarily be performed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. May require support during off-shift operations, critical project milestones, transportation events, environmental testing, and launch campaigns. Occasional overtime and weekend support may be required to meet mission schedules. Work may occur in cleanrooms, laboratories, high bays, and other controlled environments.

Preferred Competencies

Safety-focused mindset. Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to adapt to changing project priorities. Commitment to quality, mission success, and customer satisfaction. Ability to support multiple flight projects concurrently.

Basic Compensation

Jobs on this contract range from $97,300.00- $146,000.00. Pay range is specific to the Greenbelt, MD area. The offered rate will be based on the position, contract affordability, the selected candidate’s working location, knowledge, skills, abilities, 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 sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

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.

About KBR

KBR 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 foster 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.