Radar Payload Systems Engineer

Trinzic; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 210,000 - 315,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR National Security Solutions seeks a Senior Radar Payload Systems Engineer to join our Chantilly, VA team, delivering radar hardware, software, and systems for government contracts. You will design, develop, integrate and test radar systems for space missions, including SAR and MTI processing.

Required: TS/SCI clearance, a engineering degree, 15+ years radar hardware experience, and hands-on testing. On-site work in Chantilly with potential travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Clearance: Active TS/SCI (with current polygraph).
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, applied physics, or related STEM discipline.
• 15+ years of radar space system hardware experience.
• Knowledge of remote sensing tech, RF, signal and image processing.
• Prototyping experience in MATLAB and/or Python.
• Established client relationships and ability to work with government clients.
• Knowledge of U.S. Government contracting and federal regulations; spacecraft lifecycle.
• Hands-on experience with radar payload systems, AI&T activities.
• Proficiency with MS Office and project management tools.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral.

Responsibilities

• Define RF front-end electronics architecture for space-based SAR radar.
• Document antenna arrays, receivers, and digital electronics.
• Develop systems to meet operational requirements within constraints.
• Perform link-budget modeling and trade studies for hardware.
• Develop SAR/MTI processing algorithms in MATLAB/Python.
• Analyze test data across components and subsystems.
• Validate vendor testing through V&V processes.
• Monitor interface design and vendor performance.
• Perform functional analyses to ensure performance criteria.
• Propose operations/procedures to resolve problems.
• Conduct studies to inform project decisions.
• Provide technical assistance on design problems.
• Analyze project requirements for design/operation/maintenance.
• Ensure solutions integrate into complete systems.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

Radar hardware (15+ yrs)

Remote sensing

MATLAB

Python

Client relationships

Govt contracting

System Test / AIT

MS Office / PM tools

Communication

Teamwork/independence

Education

B.S. in engineering or related STEM

Master’s or Ph.D. (preferred)

Tools

MATLAB

Python

MS Office

Project management software

Job description

Title: Radar Payload Systems Engineer

At KBR, we deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 85 countries and operations in over 28 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results.

Trinzic is the future independent company to be created through the planned spin-off of KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, expected in January 2027. Our people work at the frontier of what is possible, delivering solutions in challenging environments and advancing some of the world's highest-priority national security and space missions.

Backed by decades of mission success, deep expertise, and trusted partnerships, Trinzic will launch as a global organization with more than 18,000 employees supporting customers around the world. Join us at a defining moment and help shape the future of a company built to tackle complex challenges and make a meaningful impact.

Candidates who join KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business before the spin-off will transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete and will not need to reapply for employment.

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.

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.

Position Summary:

KBR National Security Solutions is seeking a motivated and talented Senior Radar Payload Systems Engineer to join our team in Chantilly, Virginia. The selected candidate for this position will contribute to the design, development, implementation, integration, testing and delivery of radar hardware, software, and systems solutions for Government contracts.

Basic Compensation:

$210,000 - $315,000 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.

Responsibilities

• Radar Hardware Development: Define and document the RF front-end electronics and architecture of an advanced space-based SAR radar system, including the antenna arrays, receivers, and digital electronics.

• Engineering Tasks: Perform engineering tasks to develop systems capable of meeting operational requirements within imposed constraints.

• Acquisition Modeling Support: Perform rigorous link-budget modeling and analysis and conduct trade studies for hardware components to ensure mission success.

• Algorithm Development. Support algorithm and analytical development using a variety of scientific programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB, etc.) to process synthetic aperture radar data (SAR) and Moving Target Indicator (MTI).

• Test Data Assessments: Analyze and assess integration and test data at the component, subsystem, payload, and space vehicle segments to identify and resolve issues with hardware design and manufacturing.

• V&V Processes: Assess the verification and validation of system vendor testing at all levels to ensure the radar system meets its requirements.

• Vendor Performance Monitoring: Monitor the system provider’s performance in designing, documenting, and verifying all interfaces within the system.

• Functional Analyses: Perform functional analyses to ensure systems meet performance criteria.

• Operations and Procedures: Formulate, recommend, and direct operations and procedures to resolve engineering and/or technical problems.

• Conduct Studies: Conduct special studies and investigations related to projects.

• Technical Assistance: Provide technical assistance and instruction related to design problems.

• Project Requirements Analysis: Analyze project requirements and provide information and instruction for designing, operating, maintaining, and modifying systems.

• Solutions Integration: Ensure that solutions can be integrated into viable, complete systems.

• General: Perform all other duties as assigned.

Basic Compensation:

$210,000 - $315,000 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.

Work Environment

• Location: On-Site

• Travel Requirements: Moderate (20% to 50%) travel to contractor facilities, test sites, or launch locations.

• Working Hours: Flexible. Standard Government work hour support and surge support during integration and launch phases.

Required Qualifications:

• Clearance: Active TS/SCI clearance (with current polygraph).

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, applied physics, or a related STEM technical discipline. Specific contract requirements regarding education and experience will prevail.

• Relevant Radar Hardware Experience: Demonstrated 15+ years of experience supporting radar space system hardware development, integration, and test.

• Remote Sensing Knowledge: Knowledge of remote sensing technologies including active and passive sensor systems which operate in the RF regime, and the concepts, signal and image processing algorithms and software architectures that enable these systems.

• Prototyping Experience: Engineering software (prototyping) experience in MATLAB and/or Python.

• Established Client Relationship Skills: Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain trusted client relationships.

• Government Contracting Understanding: Knowledge of U.S. Government contracting and federal acquisition regulations, spacecraft lifecycle milestones and review processes, and success in operating within this environment.

• System Test: Hands‑on experience with radar payload systems, interfaces, and Assembly, Integration and Test (AI&T) activities.

• Business Management Tools Proficiency: Ability to work with standard business management tools and financial systems, MS Office, and project management software.

• Work-style Flexibility: Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently.

• Communication Skills: Strong oral and written communication skills with demonstrated ability to communicate technical issues clearly to senior Government leadership.

Desired Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s or Ph.D. degree in a related STEM technical discipline. Radar focus in this degree is highly preferred.

• Relevant Radar Hardware Experience: Demonstrated 15+ years of experience supporting radar space system hardware development, integration, and test is preferred.

• Breadth of Experience: Experience working across multiple satellite programs or production lines is preferred.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re excited about making a significant impact in the field of space defense and working on projects that matter, we encourage you to apply and join our team at KBR. Let's shape the future together.

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.

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.

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.