Satellite Command & Control Systems Engineer

Trinzic; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 157,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR seeks a Satellite Command & Control Systems Engineer to lead the architecture, integration, and sustainment of mission-critical C2 and space-ground interfaces in support of national security missions. You will guide technical direction, mentor engineers, and coordinate with government and industry partners.

Responsibilities include developing C2 requirements, defining interface control documents, and ensuring performance, cybersecurity, and RMF compliance across spacecraft and ground

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
• 10+ years' experience in systems engineering with leadership.
• 5+ years' experience in satellite command & control, TT&C, or ground segment systems.
• Strong knowledge of CCSDS standards and TT&C architecture.
• Experience leading trade studies, risk management, and technical decisions.
• Proven ability to mentor engineering staff.
• Excellent interpersonal skills interfacing with senior government and customer stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project).

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain ESS Command & Control (C2) system requirements, concepts, and interface definitions.
• Define and manage C2 interfaces between ESS space, ground, terminal, cryptographic, and external mission partner systems.
• Support development and integration of C2 architectures, including command generation, command authentication, telemetry processing, mission management, and operator workflows.
• Perform requirements analysis and develop verification methods for C2 functions, including command execution, telemetry reporting, fault management, and spacecraft control operations.
• Support development and maintenance of C2 Interface Control Documents (ICDs), command and telemetry databases, operator procedures, and mission thread products.
• Evaluate end-to-end command and telemetry data flows to ensure performance, resiliency, cybersecurity, and interoperability requirements are met.
• Support integration and test activities involving C2 systems, mission operations systems, spacecraft interfaces, and ground infrastructure.
• Conduct technical assessments and trade studies related to C2 architecture, automation, mission planning, command authorization, and operational concepts.
• Collaborate with mission operations, cybersecurity, ground systems, flight software, and spacecraft engineering teams to resolve C2 design and integration issues.
• Support systems security engineering activities associated with secure command and control, command authentication, RMF compliance.
• Participate in system engineering reviews, operational readiness activities, and anomaly resolution efforts related to ESS C2 capabilities.
• Support configuration management and technical baseline control for C2 requirements, interfaces, mission data products, and operational documentation.

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Requirements management

Trade studies

Mentoring engineers

Interfacing with government

Communication skills

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS/Physics or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Cameo Systems Modeler

Rhapsody

MagicDraw

DOORS

Jama

STK

Job description

Satellite Command & Control Systems Engineer

Satellite Command & Control 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.

KBR 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. KBR delivers advanced engineering solutions for intelligence, national security, and space customers, serving as a KBR subcontractor supporting Space Systems Command. In this role, you will lead the architecture, integration, and sustainment of mission-critical satellite mission planning systems as part of the MILSATCOM SE&I team. You'll guide technical direction, mentor engineers, and act as a primary interface with government and industry partners on complex mission planning engineering challenges. The MILSATCOM mission planning effort provides leading-edge SE&I supporting the Space Force's acquisition of state-of-the-art satellite communications systems, enabling global secure, survivable, and protected communications for our nation's warfighters. We seek technical individuals who will thrive in a highly collaborative work environment of small teams, using the most modern tools and methodologies to tackle the challenges of planning access and resource allocation across complex space and ground communications systems.

Responsibilities Will Include

• Develop and maintain ESS Command & Control (C2) system requirements, operational concepts, and interface definitions supporting spacecraft command, telemetry, mission planning, and network operations.
• Define and manage C2 interfaces between ESS space, ground, terminal, cryptographic, and external mission partner systems.
• Support the development and integration of C2 architectures, including command generation, command authentication, telemetry processing, mission management, and operator workflows.
• Perform requirements analysis and develop verification methods for C2 functions, including command execution, telemetry reporting, fault management, and spacecraft control operations.
• Support development and maintenance of C2 Interface Control Documents (ICDs), command and telemetry databases, operator procedures, and mission thread products.
• Evaluate end-to-end command and telemetry data flows to ensure operational performance, resiliency, cybersecurity, and interoperability requirements are met.
• Support integration and test activities involving C2 systems, mission operations systems, spacecraft interfaces, and associated ground infrastructure.
• Conduct technical assessments and trade studies related to C2 architecture, automation, mission planning, command authorization, and operational concepts.
• Collaborate with mission operations, cybersecurity, ground systems, flight software, and spacecraft engineering teams to resolve C2 design and integration issues.
• Support systems security engineering activities associated with secure command and control, command authentication, access control, and RMF compliance.
• Participate in system engineering reviews, operational readiness activities, and anomaly resolution efforts related to ESS C2 capabilities.
• Support configuration management and technical baseline control for C2 requirements, interfaces, mission data products, and operational documentation.

Work Environment

Location: Onsite
Travel Requirements: Moderate (technical reviews, customer meetings, site visits)
Working Hours: Standard, 40 hours per week (Full-time)

Required Experience

• Ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance is required for this position
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or related technical field (Master's degree preferred)
• 10+ years' experience in systems engineering, with demonstrated technical leadership
• 5+ years' experience in systems engineering supporting satellite command and control, TT&C, or ground segment systems
• Demonstrated experience owning requirements baselines, ICDs, and technical review artifacts for complex systems
• Strong working knowledge of CCSDS standards and TT&C system architecture
• Demonstrated experience leading trade studies, risk management, and technical decision-making
• Proven ability to lead and mentor engineering staff
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to interface with senior government and customer stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting at formal technical reviews
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project)

Preferred Experience

• Active Secret Clearance or higher
• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field
• INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) or Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP)
• Experience with MBSE tools (Cameo Systems Modeler, Rhapsody, MagicDraw) and requirements management tools (DOORS, Jama)
• Deep familiarity with C2 software platforms (Kratos, OpenC3, Yamcs, AWS Ground Station, FreeFlyer, STK)
• Experience with Jira and Confluence in a program management/technical leadership capacity
• Significant experience with MILSATCOM or major commercial satellite programs (e.g., AEHF, WGS, MUOS, PTES, FAB-T)
• Strong familiarity with space systems cybersecurity requirements (NIST 800-53, CNSSI 1253, RMF) and prior RMF/ATO leadership experience
• Experience with system safety practices and standards (e.g., MIL-STD-882) at a program leadership level
• Extensive experience working with military and DoD civilian clients on government space systems programs
• Experience mentoring or managing junior engineering staff

Compensation

For El Segundo, CA only, the salary range for this position is approximately $157,000 - $196,200. The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.

Other 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 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.