Senior Ground System Engineer

KBR Careers; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K matching

Medical benefits

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Job summary

KBR seeks a Senior Ground Systems Engineer to provide SETA support for ground segment design, antenna scheduling, and network operations in support of classified space missions.

The role requires a BS in engineering or related field and at least 10 years in DoD/IC or space mission operations, with active TS/SCI clearance. On-site Colorado location, travel up to 30%, standard 40-hour weeks.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance required; U.S. citizen only.
• ABET-accredited engineering degree or PE preferred where required.
• Minimum 10 years in DoD/IC or related fields with ground systems experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and SETA advisory for ground system architecture and networks.
• Serve as technical contact for design documentation and test strategies.
• Review requirements, test plans, and baselines for ground antenna scheduling and operations.
• Track deficiencies, risks, and performance trends; advise leadership on impacts.
• Evaluate telemetry and data flows to validate system behavior and identify degradation.
• Facilitate process improvements across ground networks and automation workflows.
• Coordinate with multiple orgs to support milestones and readiness.
• Prepare technical recommendations and executive briefing materials.
• Perform duties independently in a classified environment and mentor junior staff.

Skills

Ground systems engineering

DoD/IC experience

Systems engineering

C2 systems

Requirements analysis

Software integration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Jira

SysML

Job description

Title

Senior Ground System Engineer

KBR is seeking a Senior Ground Systems Engineer to provide System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) support to the Space Rapid Capabilities Office. The selected candidate will advise Government program leadership on ground segment design, antenna scheduling and network operations, requirements and architecture definition, integration planning, software and system baseline control, risk/deficiency resolution, test readiness, mission partner onboarding, and operational data-flow performance in support of classified space missions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and SETA advisory support for ground system architecture, antenna scheduling systems, ground antenna networks, C2 interfaces, mission planning data flows, and associated software/systems integration activities.
• Serve as a technical contact for ground system design documentation, including system/software requirements, high-level design, interface control documentation, critical methods, test strategies, user stories, and mission partner onboarding requirements.
• Review, evaluate, and recommend changes to requirements, ground threads, Jira projects, test strategies, test plans, and system design baselines supporting ground antenna scheduling and satellite operations.
• Track deficiency reports, technical risks, design trades, and system performance trends; provide recommendations to Government leadership on technical, schedule, cost, and mission impacts.
• Evaluate telemetry, command/status data flows, scheduling data, and operational performance trends to validate nominal system behavior or identify system degradation.
• Facilitate process improvement across ground antenna network implementation, external connections, automation, scheduling, planning, control, and operations workflows.
• Coordinate with Systems Engineering, Mission Adoption, configuration management, test, risk management, and mission partner organizations to support delivery milestones and operational readiness.
• Prepare clear technical recommendations, reports, briefings, courses of action, and decision materials for program management and executive leadership.
• Perform all duties independently in a high-visibility, mission-critical, classified environment and provide technical guidance to less senior personnel when assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• An active TS/SCI clearance is required to be considered for this position, which is something only a U.S. citizen can obtain.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, applied science, or related technical discipline; ABET-accredited engineering degree or Professional Engineering license preferred where contractually required.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant DoD/IC, Government, or industry experience in systems engineering, ground systems engineering, space mission operations, software architecture, C2 systems, or related mission systems.
• Experience developing, fielding, integrating, or sustaining software-intensive space systems, including satellite and ground systems, software architectures, interface requirements, and operational workflows.
• Knowledge of the space operational environment, mission-user needs, ground antenna networks, satellite scheduling applications, RF spectrum considerations, and C2 requirements.
• Experience with requirements analysis, configuration management, risk management, Integrated Master Schedules, SOW/PWS review, test planning, and stakeholder/mission partner onboarding.
• Ability to assess mission partner antenna network requirements and ensure satellite operations systems align with capability needs.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical data into concise actionable recommendations.

Desired

• Prior SETA support to a Government program office.
• Five or more years of relevant SAP and/or SCI experience, with recent experience preferred.
• Experience with rapid prototyping, ACAT I/II acquisition programs, integrated air/space/cyber capabilities, and classified mission environments.
• Experience planning, facilitating, or evaluating exercises, training materials, guides, or operational procedures when these duties support configuration/integration readiness.
• Familiarity with IC organizations and classified mission partner coordination.
• Experience supporting system acceptance planning, interface control working groups, or operational test/readiness activities.

Work Environment

• Location: On-site
• Travel Requirements: Up to 30%
• Working Hours: Standard

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40hrs

Basic Compensation

$150,000 - $225,000

This range is for Colorado only.

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 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. 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.

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.