SATCOM Terminal Systems Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan with company match

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

AD&D

Flexible spending account

Paid time off

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

KBR, Inc. in San Diego, CA is seeking a SATCOM Terminal Systems Engineer to join the National Security Solutions team.

You will develop and maintain system requirements allocations for terminal hardware, modem software, and antenna subsystems. You will support formal design reviews, prepare interface control documents, analyze waveform performance, and coordinate with cryptographic, mechanical, and platform teams to ensure secure, integrated defense systems.

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, waveform fundamentals, and link performance analysis
• Familiarity with TRANSEC principles and NSA-certified cryptographic equipment interfaces
• Experience performing requirements analysis, allocation, and verification planning in a DoD environment
• Experience in formal design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) on hardware-dominant defense programs
• Experience developing or reviewing Interface Control Documents and system interface specifications
• Experience supporting system integration and test activities per MIL‑STD‑461 and MIL‑STD‑810
• Active DoD Secret clearance

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain system requirements allocations and traceability for terminal hardware, modem software, and antenna subsystems from Government specs through contractor implementation specifications
• Support and participate in formal design reviews for hardware and software subsystems, developing technical packages and compliance documentation
• Prepare and review Interface Control Documents for integration with host platform communications architectures and subsystem interfaces
• Analyze EHF waveform performance including uplink/downlink 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, test procedure development, and MIL‑STD based environmental qualification
• Evaluate subcontractor deliverables and identify gaps prior to system‑level milestones
• Prepare technical status reports and Government-facing briefing materials
• Track open risks and contribute to IMS updates

Skills

Satellite communications

Waveform analysis

DoD acquisition

Requirements analysis

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Tools

IBM DOORS

Cradle

Jama

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 front‑line 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 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.

• bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation
• sign on bonus
• relocation benefits
• short term incentives
• long term incentives
• discretionary payments for exceptional performance

• 401K plan with company match
• medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• AD&D
• flexible spending account
• disability
• paid time off
• 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.

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.

KBR — Delivering Solutions, Changing the World. KBR brings together the best and brightest to deliver science, technology and engineering solutions that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most critical missions and objectives. In everything we do, we are guided by our ONE KBR Values: We Value Our People – We create diverse, inclusive environments in which each person can feel safe, respected and valued, and where everyone has opportunities to grow and reach their full potential. We Deliver – We are uncompromising in our commitment to deliver innovative, high-quality, technology‑led solutions for our customers and exceptional, sustainable value for all our stakeholders. We Are People of Integrity – We value honesty, trust, courage, fairness, prudence and tenacity. We believe doing what’s right for the planet, the communities where we work, and our people is good for business. We Empower – We empower our people with a shared purpose, the right tools and the supportive culture they need to be proactive decision‑makers, to be adaptive to change, and to succeed. We Are a Team of Teams – We have a will to succeed, but we value the achievements of our team of teams over individual accomplishments. Our collective focus makes us a better, stronger, more effective company. We have also embedded environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in every business operation and corporate function. Not only are we committed to operating safely, sustainably and equitably, but we are also committed to using our capabilities and expertise to help our customers accomplish their sustainability goals. Worldwide, KBR employs a diverse workforce approximately 29,000 people strong, with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in 40 countries. At KBR, We Deliver.