SETA Systems Engineer (Mid)

KBR Careers; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 156,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR is seeking a SETA Systems Engineer (Mid) to support national security space programs in Chantilly, VA. The role combines systems engineering, intelligence analysis, and modeling to evaluate space and counterspace capabilities and inform architecture decisions.

You will coordinate with IC/DoD partners, develop M&S cases using STK/AFSIM and Python/MATLAB, and prepare technical assessments and briefings to support mission readiness and program decisions. On-site required.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years in space/defense/IC analysis or systems engineering within IC/DoD environment.
• Experience with space mission modelling & simulation tools (STK/AFSIM) or Python/MATLAB.
• Working understanding of space and ground architectures and interactions among mission, ground, and user segments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related field.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with Poly.

Responsibilities

• Support threat-informed mission engineering activities, including end-to-end mission thread analysis and resilience assessments.
• Develop and execute M&S cases using STK, AFSIM, or Python/MATLAB.
• Translate intelligence on foreign space/counterspace systems into technical requirements and MOP/MOE.
• Coordinate with IC/DoD stakeholders to ensure analytic consistency.
• Contribute to test and evaluation planning and design for both developmental and operational testing.
• Produce technical assessments and briefings on space threat systems and their implications for mission readiness.

Skills

Space/IC analysis

Systems engineering

Modelling & Simulation

Threat analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Physics/Math/CS

Tools

STK

AFSIM

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Title

SETA Systems Engineer (Mid)

KBR is seeking a Systems Engineer (SETA) to support our customer in Chantilly, VA. The Technical Professional (SETA) provides systems engineering and analytical support to help inform national security space decisions. In this role, you will integrate all‑source intelligence with engineering analysis, modeling, and simulation to evaluate foreign space and counterspace capabilities and assess their implications for U.S. and allied space and ground architectures. You will contribute to trade studies, mission thread analysis, and test and evaluation planning to reduce technical risk for government programs. The position requires close coordination with partners across the Intelligence Community (IC), DoD, and mission stakeholders to ensure analytic rigor, traceability, and alignment with threat‑informed requirements and CONOPS. You will produce high‑quality technical assessments and briefings that support strategy, resourcing, and operational readiness.

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: Join 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.

Key Responsibilities

• Support threat‑informed mission engineering activities, including end‑to‑end mission thread analysis, resiliency assessments, and deployment analysis.
• Develop and execute modeling and simulation (M&S) cases using tools such as STK, AFSIM, or custom Python/MATLAB models to characterize system performance, coverage, and timelines.
• Translate intelligence on foreign space and counterspace systems into technical requirements, measures of performance/effectiveness (MOP/MOE), and risk considerations for architectures and programs.
• Coordinate with stakeholders across customer mission centers, Service components, USSF/SSC, the IC, and Combatant Commands to ensure analytic consistency and support decision processes.
• Contribute to test and evaluation planning (developmental and operational), including modeling for test design, data sufficiency, and evaluation criteria.
• Produce clear, technically grounded assessments, reports, and briefings on space threat systems and their implications for mission assurance and resilience.
• Provide SETA support across the acquisition lifecycle, including requirements analysis, architecture decomposition, integration, verification/validation, and configuration management.
• Apply analytic standards, review methodologies, and quality assurance practices to engineering and all‑source analytic products.

Work Environment

• Location: Chantilly, Va and Reston, VA [On‑site]
• Travel Requirements: Minimal
• Working Hours: Standard 40 hours per week

Required Qualifications

• Experience: 5–10 years in space, defense, or IC analysis or systems engineering, including exposure to space threat analysis or mission/architecture assessments within the IC/DoD environment.
• Modeling & Simulation: Demonstrated experience using space mission M&S tools (e.g., STK, AFSIM, or equivalent) to support analytic or engineering tasks.
• Architecture Knowledge: Working understanding of space and ground architectures, including interactions among mission, ground, and user segments.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related technical field from an accredited institution.
• Clearance an active TS/SCI security clearance with Poly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree: M.S. in Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, or a related discipline.
• Advanced Methods/Tools: Experience with MBSE (SysML/UML), digital engineering environments, or advanced modeling approaches (e.g., Python/MATLAB toolchains, Monte Carlo methods).
• Mission/Enterprise Awareness: Familiarity with Intelligence Community and Combatant Command organizations (e.g., NRO, NSA, NGA, USSPACECOM), and understanding of how space and counterspace intelligence informs operational planning and joint mission execution.

Basic Compensation

$156,200 to $187,000

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 a sign‑on bonus, relocation benefits, short‑term incentives, long‑term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

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.