Senior Mission Planning Systems Engineer

Trinzic; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 192,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Senior Mission Planning Systems Engineer to join the team in El Segundo, CA. You will lead the architecture, integration, and sustainment of mission-critical satellite planning systems within the MILSATCOM SEI team, interfacing with government and industry partners.

The role requires deep expertise in satellite planning, access scheduling, and resource allocation, with a focus on secure, scalable solutions for national security missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or related technical field.
• 15+ years' experience in systems engineering.
• 10+ years' experience in mission planning, satellite resource allocation, or scheduling systems engineering.
• Ability to obtain Top Secret clearance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; public speaking.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain requirements for mission planning systems supporting MILSATCOM resource allocation, access scheduling, and payload configuration
• Support engineering of mission planning tools for satellite access planning, terminal-to-satellite resource assignment, and frequency/bandwidth allocation
• Analyze and model satellite coverage, link availability, and communications resource conflicts across MILSATCOM constellations (e.g., AEHF, WGS, MUOS)
• Support development and refinement of scheduling and deconfliction algorithms for competing mission planning requests
• Develop and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) between mission planning systems, satellite control networks, and terminal segments
• Support integration of mission planning software with satellite command and control (C2) and TT&C systems
• Perform trade studies evaluating mission planning tool architecture, automation approaches, and system performance
• Support Verification & Validation (V&V) of mission planning software and algorithm updates
• Evaluate and document system risks associated with mission planning capabilities, coordinating mitigation strategies with government stakeholders
• Support technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) related to mission planning system upgrades and sustainment
• Coordinate with RF engineering, flight dynamics, and satellite operations teams on link budget, orbital geometry, and resource availability inputs to mission planning
• Support cybersecurity compliance for mission planning systems, including RMF/ATO documentation as applicable
• Prepare technical documentation, briefings, and reports for government program office review
• Collaborate with prime contractors, other support contractors, government civilians, and members of the U.S. Space Force

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Coordination with stakeholders

Written communication

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or related technical field

Tools

Jira

Confluence

STK

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Title

Senior Mission Planning 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.

Candidates who join KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business before the spin-off will transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete and will not need to reapply for employment.

Job Summary

KBR is seeking a Senior Mission Planning Systems Engineer to join our team in El Segundo C.A. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret clearance.

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 requirements for mission planning systems supporting MILSATCOM resource allocation, access scheduling, and payload configuration
• Support engineering of mission planning tools for satellite access planning, terminal-to-satellite resource assignment, and frequency/bandwidth allocation
• Analyze and model satellite coverage, link availability, and communications resource conflicts across MILSATCOM constellations (e.g., AEHF, WGS, MUOS)
• Support development and refinement of scheduling and deconfliction algorithms for competing mission planning requests
• Develop and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) between mission planning systems, satellite control networks, and terminal segments
• Support integration of mission planning software with satellite command and control (C2) and TT&C systems
• Perform trade studies evaluating mission planning tool architecture, automation approaches, and system performance
• Support Verification & Validation (V&V) of mission planning software and algorithm updates
• Evaluate and document system risks associated with mission planning capabilities, coordinating mitigation strategies with government stakeholders
• Support technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) related to mission planning system upgrades and sustainment
• Coordinate with RF engineering, flight dynamics, and satellite operations teams on link budget, orbital geometry, and resource availability inputs to mission planning
• Support cybersecurity compliance for mission planning systems, including RMF/ATO documentation as applicable
• Prepare technical documentation, briefings, and reports for government program office review
• Collaborate with prime contractors, other support contractors, government civilians, and members of the U.S. Space Force

Required Experience

• Ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance is required for this position
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or related technical field
• 15+ years' experience in systems engineering
• 10+ years' experience in mission planning, satellite resource allocation, or scheduling systems engineering
• Deep understanding with satellite communications concepts (link budgets, frequency/bandwidth allocation, terminal-satellite access)
• Ability to coordinate with numerous stakeholders and customers
• Strong interpersonal skills to enable working and interfacing with diverse personnel and working in a dynamic team environment
• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Preferred Experience

• Active Secret Clearance or higher
• Master's degree in a technical field such as engineering, mathematics, physics, or computer science;
• Certifications in Systems Engineering (INCOSE ASEP, CSEP)
• Experience with MILSATCOM programs, such as AEHF, EPS, WGS, PTES, PTS, and FAB-T terminal programs
• Experience with mission planning or scheduling software tools and algorithm development (e.g., optimization, deconfliction, or constraint-based scheduling)
• Knowledge of orbital mechanics and satellite coverage analysis tools (e.g., STK)
• Programming/scripting experience (Python, MATLAB, or similar) for planning tool support and automation
• Knowledge and experience in Jira and Confluence
• Experience working with military and DoD civilian clients
• Experience and familiarity working on a government space systems program
• Experience working on a Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) contract

Work Environment

Location: Onsite

Travel Requirements: Moderate

Working Hours: Standard, 40 hours per week (Full-time)

Compensation

For El Segundo, CA only, the salary range for this position is approximately $191,900 - $239,800. 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 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.

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