SATCOM Terminal Systems Engineer

Trinzic; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR's National Security Solutions team seeks a SATCOM Terminal Systems Engineer to support the architecture, analysis, integration, and technical oversight of advanced satellite communications systems on MILSATCOM ground-mobile terminals. You will work across EHF waveform architecture, TRANSEC, and platform integration constraints to ensure survivable, secure communications for national security missions.

Responsibilities include participating in PDR/CDR/TRR/SVR design reviews, developing

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• 5-7 years of relevant systems engineering experience in defense communications or terminal integration programs.
• Working knowledge of satellite communications systems, waveform fundamentals, satellite access protocols, and link performance analysis.
• Familiarity with TRANSEC principles and their application to protected Government communications systems.
• Experience performing requirements analysis, allocation, and verification planning in a DoD acquisition environment.
• Experience participating in formal design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) on hardware-dominant defense programs.
• Experience developing or reviewing Interface Control Documents and system interface specifications in a multi-subcontractor program environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain system requirements allocations and traceability for terminal hardware, modem software, and antenna subsystems.
• Support and participate in formal design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, SVR) for hardware and software subsystems.
• Prepare and review Interface Control Documents governing integration with host platform architectures and network interfaces.
• Support analysis of EHF waveform performance including terminal access parameters and margins under operational conditions.
• Assist in evaluation of TRANSEC implementation compliance and coordinate with cryptographic engineers.
• Coordinate with mechanical and antenna teams to address platform integration constraints.
• Support system-level integration and test planning, procedures, and field/environmental qualification activities.
• Evaluate subcontractor deliverables and track gaps in requirements compliance and test coverage.
• Prepare technical status reports and Government-facing briefings for NAVWAR and related offices.
• Track open technical risks and support IMS updates and reporting.

Skills

Satellite communications

Requirements analysis

Design reviews

Interface control documents

System integration

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

B.S. in Systems Engineering

B.S. in Computer Engineering

Job description

Title: SATCOM Terminal Systems Engineer

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.

The Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Terminal Systems Engineer will support the architecture, analysis, integration, and technical oversight of advanced satellite communications systems. The role will serve as a junior/mid-level technical contributor on a systems engineering team responsible for the design, integration, and fielding of ground-mobile protected communications terminals operating on the MILSATCOM systems. This role requires working-level familiarity with EHF waveform architecture, transmission security (TRANSEC) implementation, and the technical constraints associated with integrating survivable protected communications terminals onto mobile ground platforms. The successful candidate will be technically credible, methodical in engineering execution, and able to effectively represent contractor engineering positions in formal review and test settings. Responsibilities include:

• Develop and maintain system requirements allocations and traceability for terminal hardware, modem software, and antenna subsystem elements from Government specifications through contractor implementation specifications
• Support and participate in formal design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, SVR) for hardware and software subsystems, developing assigned technical packages, compliance documentation, and corrective action tracking
• Prepare and review Interface Control Documents governing integration with host platform communications architectures, vehicle power systems, antenna control units, and network interfaces
• Support analysis of EHF waveform performance including terminal access parameters, uplink/downlink margin assessments under operational channel conditions, and AEHF satellite scheduling interface compliance
• Assist in evaluation of TRANSEC implementation compliance and coordinate with cryptographic system engineers to ensure protected communications requirements are properly allocated, designed, and verified at the system level
• Coordinate with mechanical and antenna subsystem teams to address platform integration constraints including antenna articulation envelopes, ground clearance, vehicle load path, electromagnetic compatibility, and RF cable routing
• Support system-level integration and test planning, preparation of test procedures, and execution of laboratory and field integration events including environmental qualification activities per MIL-STD-461 and MIL-STD-810
• Evaluate subcontractor technical deliverables and identify gaps in requirements compliance, interface definition, or test coverage requiring resolution prior to system-level milestones
• Prepare technical status reports and Government-facing review briefings for submission to PEO C4I, NUWCDIVNPT, and NAVWAR program offices
• Track open technical risks, issues, and action items; support risk management reviews and contribute to Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) updates and reporting

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline
• 5-7 years of relevant systems engineering experience in defense communications or terminal integration programs
• Working knowledge of satellite communications systems, including waveform fundamentals, satellite access protocols, and link performance analysis
• Familiarity with TRANSEC principles and their application to protected Government communications systems that maybe…??
• Experience performing requirements analysis, allocation, and verification planning in a DoD acquisition environment
• Experience participating in formal design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) on hardware-dominant defense programs
• Experience developing or reviewing Interface Control Documents and system interface specifications in a multi-subcontractor program environment
• Experience supporting system integration and test activities, including test procedure development and anomaly investigation, in