R&D Systems Engineer

KBR Careers; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; 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 is seeking an innovative R&D Systems Engineer to join our team, providing critical technical services to the U.S. Government. This role supports a dedicated USG Program Office focused on pioneering the next generation of national security space systems.

You will provide Systems Engineering & Technical Advisory (SETA) support, concentrating on R&D of revolutionary ground systems that command, control, and process data from advanced satellite constellations.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.
• Experience with satellite ground system architecture, operations, and data processing.
• Strong analytical and communication skills for reports and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Full lifecycle responsibility for cutting-edge satellite ground systems; automation, processing, orchestration.
• Conduct technical analysis and review ground system concepts, architectures and technologies.
• Evaluate data processing workflows from downlink to dissemination; assess ML/AI integrations.
• Provide SETA support across concept development, system definition, acquisition planning, design, I&T, and transition to ops.

Skills

Satellite ground system architecture

Data processing

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years

Master’s degree with 3+ years

PhD with 0+ years

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Title

R&D Systems Engineer

KBR is seeking an innovative R&D Systems Engineer to join our team, providing critical technical services to the U.S. Government (USG). This role supports a dedicated USG Program Office focused on pioneering the next generation of national security space systems. You will provide Systems Engineering & Technical Advisory (SETA) support, concentrating on the research and development of revolutionary ground systems that command, control, and process data from advanced satellite constellations.

Responsibilities

As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for the full lifecycle of cutting-edge satellite ground systems, with an emphasis on automation, processing, and orchestration. Your duties will include:

• Technical Analysis: Conduct in-depth technical analysis and review of ground system concepts, architectures, and technologies
• Review & Processing: Review and contribute to design, modeling, and analysis for orchestration, task scheduling, data processing.
• Evaluation & Optimization: Evaluate and optimize data processing workflows, from initial satellite downlink and data ingestion to final dissemination. Assess the integration of machine learning and AI technologies to enhance data exploitation and automate ground system functions.
• Lifecycle Support: Provide technical and programmatic expertise throughout the entire project lifecycle. This includes concept development, system definition, acquisition planning, design, development, integration and test (I&T), and transition to mission operations.
• Cost Analysis: Perform analysis of alternatives to optimize system performance, cost, and schedule.
• Innovation & Collaboration: Actively participate in an enterprise-wide R&D environment, contributing to and leveraging shared knowledge to advance organizational capabilities in satellite ground systems.
• Innovation Scouting: Curate state of the art technology for evaluation.

Work Environment

• Location: On-Site
• Travel Requirements: Minimal 0-20%
• Working Hours: Standard

Required Qualifications

• Clearance: Active TS/SCI with Polygraph
• Education: Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years, Master’s degree with 3+ years, or a PhD with 0+ years of relevant experience.
• Skills: Demonstrated expertise in satellite ground system architecture, operations, and data processing.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).
• Analytical Skills: Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical capabilities.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for preparing written reports, leading group discussions, and delivering oral presentations.

Desired Qualifications

• Ground Systems Engineering: In-depth knowledge of systems engineering and integration as applied to satellite ground networks, command and control systems, and data processing pipelines
• Tasking & Scheduling: Experience with satellite mission planning, autonomous tasking, contact scheduling, and resource management systems.
• Communications & Data: Experience with space-to-ground communications links, data routing, and processing of overhead sensor data (e.g., SIGINT, IMINT).
• Automation & AI/ML: Knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies applied to ground system automation, performance monitoring, or data analysis.
• Lifecycle Experience: Experience with system acquisition, design, development, I&T, or mission operations for satellite ground systems.
• Modeling & Simulation: Proficiency in system modeling, simulation, and performance analysis for complex ground architectures.
• Domain Knowledge: Familiarity with the IC mission, organizations, systems, and processes.

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 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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