Research Scientist/Engineer

Trinzic; Beavercreek Township (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with company match

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid time off

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

KBR, a leader in defense and technology solutions, seeks a Research Scientist/Engineer to conduct first-principles DFT studies of wide bandgap semiconductors and interfaces for the Air Force Research Laboratory. You will work with VASP and Quantum ESPRESSO on HPC platforms, building automated workflows and exploring MLIPs for materials modeling.

The role targets recent MS/PhD graduates and offers on-site work with travel, collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, and contributions to

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Computational Science, or a related field
• Experience with Density Functional Theory (DFT) and computing tools
• Familiarity with VASP and Quantum ESPRESSO; Unix environments; HPC systems; strong publication record

Responsibilities

• Perform first-principles simulations using DFT to study wide bandgap semiconductors and interfaces
• Develop computational studies on point defects, dopants, impurities, surface defects and interfaces
• Prepare and monitor large-scale DFT calculations on HPC clusters
• Analyze, visualize and report simulation results; contribute to automated workflows and MLIPs

Skills

DFT experience

Unix proficiency

Scientific writing

Education

MS/PhD in Materials Science/Physics/Engineering/Computational Science

Tools

VASP

Quantum ESPRESSO

MATLAB

Job description

Research Scientist/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.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Scientist/Engineer to support the Air Force Research Laboratory’s RF Sensing Dominance Division, Electronic Devices Branch (RFDD) in conducting first-principles modeling using Density Functional Theory (DFT) to predict, understand, and interpret the properties of wide bandgap semiconductors and semiconductor interfaces. This role focuses on computational materials science, with emphasis on the electronic and structural behavior of point defects, dopants, impurities, surface defects, and interfaces.

The candidate will use advanced DFT tools such as VASP and Quantum ESPRESSO on high-performance computing (HPC) platforms to support cutting-edge semiconductor research and development. This position offers an excellent opportunity for a recent M.S. or Ph.D. graduate looking to apply computational methods to real-world materials challenges.

The ideal candidate is a curious and detail-oriented researcher who enjoys solving complex materials science problems through advanced computational methods. Recent M.S. and Ph.D. graduates are encouraged to apply. Candidates should be comfortable working independently while collaborating effectively in a research-focused environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform first-principles simulations using DFT to investigate the properties of wide bandgap semiconductor materials and interfaces.
• Develop/execute computational studies focused on: Point defects, Dopants and impurities, Surface defects, Semiconductor interfaces, Phonons, and lattice dynamics
• Prepare, submit, and monitor large-scale DFT calculations on HPC clusters.
• Analyze and interpret simulation results, extracting meaningful physical insights from computational data.
• Process and visualize DFT output data for technical reports, presentations, and publications.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of automated workflows for high-throughput DFT calculations.
• Participate in the development of Machine-Learned Interatomic Potentials (MLIPs) and their application to interface and materials modeling.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams to support semiconductor device and materials innovation.
• Prepare technical reports, scientific manuscripts, and conference presentations.
• Present research findings to internal and external stakeholders.

Work Environment

Location: On site

Travel Requirements: 20% minimal travel.

Working Hours: Standard, 40 hours a week

Required Qualifications

• Education: M.S. or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Computational Science, or a related field.
• Experience or academic research involving Density Functional Theory (DFT).
• Familiarity with VASP (preferred) and/or Quantum ESPRESSO.
• Experience working in Unix environments.
• Proficiency with MATLAB.
• Familiarity with large-scale parallel computing and HPC systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills demonstrated through scientific publications, thesis or dissertation work, technical reports, and conference presentations
• Security Clearance: must be able to obtain and maintain a US security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with Python and scientific computing libraries.
• Knowledge of defect physics in semiconductors.
• Experience developing automated computational workflows.
• Familiarity with machine learning approaches for materials modeling.
• Experience with data analysis and visualization of simulation results.
• Exposure to wide bandgap semiconductor materials such as SiC, GaN, AlN, or related systems.

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’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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