SATCOM Terminal Systems Engineer

KBR Careers; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR is seeking a SATCOM Terminal Systems Engineer in San Diego to support architecture, analysis, integration, and oversight of advanced satellite communications systems aboard ground-mobile platforms. The role requires working knowledge of EHF waveform architecture, TRANSEC, and MIL‑STD test regimes.

You will contribute to design reviews, interface control, and system-level integration while coordinating with DoD customers and cryptographic engineers. A DoD Secret clearance is required.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical/Systems/Computer Engineering or closely related field.
• 5–7 years of relevant systems engineering experience in defense.
• Familiarity with SATCOM waveform fundamentals and link performance analysis.
• Active DoD Secret clearance.

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) and produce technical packages and compliance documentation.
• Prepare Interface Control Documents governing integration with host platform architectures and network interfaces.
• Analyze EHF waveform performance including margins under operational conditions.
• Coordinate TRANSEC implementation with cryptographic engineers to ensure protected communications requirements are met.
• Coordinate with mechanical/antenna teams on platform integration constraints and EMC considerations.
• Support system integration and test planning, procedures, and MIL‑STD environmental qualification activities.
• Prepare technical status reports and briefings for government program offices.
• Track risks and support IMS updates and reporting.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements analysis

Formal design reviews (PDR/CDR/TRR)

Interface Control Documents

DoD acquisition experience

Secret clearance

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering / Systems Engineering / Computer Engineering

Tools

IBM DOORS

Cradle

Jama

Job description

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.

Title: SATCOM Terminal Systems Engineer

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.

Responsibilities

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, including interface with NSA‑certified cryptographic equipment
• 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 laboratory or field environments
• Ability to prepare and present technical status materials to Government customer audiences at program review level
• Familiarity with requirements management tools (e.g., IBM DOORS, Cradle, or Jama) and DoD systems engineering frameworks (MIL‑STD‑499, EIA‑632)
• Active DoD Secret clearance

Desired Qualifications

Direct experience on ground-mobile or protected SATCOM terminal programs

• Familiarity with AEHF constellation access requirements, EHF waveform specifications, or Milstar/AEHF terminal heritage architectures and interoperability constraints
• Experience with COMSEC/TRANSEC integration requirements and NSA‑approved cryptographic equipment interfaces on DoD programs
• Experience coordinating with program offices in a technical representative capacity
• Experience supporting Production Readiness Review (PRR) or system sell‑off events for ground-mobile military terminal programs
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Basic Compensation:

$110-130k

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

Additional Compensation

KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short term incentives, long term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

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.