R&D Systems Engineer

KBR Careers; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 153,000 - 191,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with company match

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible work schedule

Paid time off

Job summary

KBR is seeking an R&D Systems Engineer to support US Government programs, focusing on the research and development of advanced satellite ground systems. The role spans from concept through transition to operations, with emphasis on automation, data orchestration, and cutting-edge edge computing.

The ideal candidate has a TS/SCI clearance with polygraph, strong background in satellite ground system architectures, and hands-on experience with ML frameworks and data processing pipelines.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree + 5+ years (or Master’s +3+, or PhD +0+) in a relevant field.
• Proven satellite ground system architecture and operations experience.
• Proficiency in Python, ML frameworks, and data processing pipelines.
• Strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth technical analysis of ground system concepts, architectures and emerging technologies.
• Contribute to design, modeling and analysis for orchestration and high-throughput data processing.
• Evaluate data processing workflows and integrate ML/AI for automation.
• Provide lifecycle support across concept, definition, acquisition, design, I&T and transition to operations.
• Perform trade studies to optimize performance, cost, and schedule for next-gen designs.

Skills

Python

PyTorch/TensorFlow

Multi-modal LLMs

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years experience

Master’s degree with 3+ years experience

PhD with some experience

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.

Position Overview

As an R&D Systems Engineer, you will bridge the gap between legacy ground capabilities and emerging technologies. In addition to guiding the full lifecycle of cutting-edge satellite edge-computing, processing and ground systems, you will actively scout industry trends and curate collaborative partnerships with external tech groups, contractors, and internal research teams to introduce disruptive automation and data orchestration capabilities to the mission.

Responsibilities

• Technical Analysis: Conduct in-depth technical analysis and review of ground system concepts, architectures, and emerging technologies.
• Review & Processing: Review and contribute to design, modeling, and analysis for orchestration, task scheduling, and high-throughput 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. Implement quantization methods (GGUF, AWQ, EXL2) to enable high-performance model execution on local hardware and resource constraint environments.
• 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. Identify bottlenecks needed to make systems meet requirements
• Cost & Trade Analysis: Perform analysis of alternatives to optimize system performance, cost, and schedule for next-generation system designs including the development of pipelines using frameworks such as llama.cpp, vLL, and/or Ollama.
• 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.
• Technology Scouting & Curation: Actively scout, vet, and curate state-of-the-art technologies and research organizations. Formulate recommendations for bringing in academic, commercial, or specialized contractor groups to design and scale operational capabilities.

Work Environment

• Location: On- Site (Chantilly, VA area)
• Travel Requirements: Minimal (0-20%)
• Working Hours: Standard

Required Qualifications

• Clearance: Active TS/SCI with Polygraph.
• Education & Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience,
• Master’s degree with 3+ years of relevant experience, or
• PhD with 0+ years of relevant experience.
• Domain Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in satellite ground system architecture, operations, and inference pipelines.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint), Python, PyTorch/TensorFlow, and multi-modal LLMs.
• 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 to senior government stakeholders.

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.
• Communications & Data: Experience with space-to-ground communications links, data routing, and processing of overhead sensor data (e.g., SIGINT, GEOINT).
• Automation & AI/ML: Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies, quantization, hardware and system performance monitoring, and/or data analysis.
• Vendor & Acquisition Support: Experience evaluating third-party vendor offerings, contributing to requests for proposals (RFPs), or managing technical interfaces with external contractors.

Basic Compensation

$152,600 - $190,700

This range is for the Virginia area only

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

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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