Small UAS Engine Engineer

KBR Careers; Beavercreek Township (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR, at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, seeks a Small UAS Engine Engineer to provide propulsion engineering for unmanned aircraft systems, supporting Air Force SPO activities across development, testing, production, and sustainment.

The role involves collaboration with government teams and contractors, reviewing engine data, test planning, and preparing technical content for program reviews, with travel up to 25% and potential surge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (required).
• 5+ years propulsion/engine engineering experience.
• Experience supporting DoD acquisition programs.
• Willingness to travel up to ~25% (surge up to 50%).
• Active DoD Secret clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Provide propulsion engineering support for small piston engines in UAS across development, production, test and sustainment.
• Support PMs, engineers, and IPTs with propulsion analysis, requirements traceability, and technical documentation review.
• Coordinate with prime contractors, UAS vendors, and engine suppliers on designs and data artifacts.
• Support test planning, on-site test execution, data reduction, and durability assessments.
• Participate in TIMs, PDR/CDR, airworthiness activities, and readiness reviews.

Skills

5+ years propulsion experience

Strong communication

DoD experience

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Job description

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

Small UAS Engine Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Title

Small UAS Engine Engineer

Key Responsibilities

The Small UAS Engine SME reports to the R&D Portfolio Manager within the Air Force Acquisition Operating Unit (AFA OU). This position provides engineering and technical support for small piston engines used in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in support of an Air Force System Program Office. The role involves in‑office collaboration with government teams and contractors to support propulsion engineering activities across development, testing, production, and sustainment. The position also supports test events and program execution through coordination, technical analysis, documentation, and travel to contractor and government facilities as required. The role requires a technically credible propulsion engineer who combines strong analytical and systems‑level thinking with disciplined program execution, clear communication, and the ability to collaborate effectively across government, contractor, and test environments.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide engineering and technical support for small piston engines used in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), supporting Air Force System Program Office (SPO) activities across development, production, test, and sustainment.
• Perform in‑office technical support to Program Managers (PMs), engineers, and Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), including propulsion engineering analysis, requirements traceability, technical documentation review, and issue tracking.
• Support coordination activities with prime contractors, UAS manufacturers, and engine vendors, including review of engine designs, data packages, analyses, and compliance artifacts.
• Support test and evaluation activities for small piston engines, including test planning support, on‑site test execution support, test data reduction, performance monitoring, durability assessments, and engine anomaly documentation.
• Participate in program technical forums, including Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs), design reviews (PDR/CDR), airworthiness activities, and readiness reviews, supporting preparation of briefings, technical content, and action items.
• Provide lifecycle and sustainment engineering support, including reliability and maintainability assessments, maintenance concepts, technical order inputs, parts obsolescence tracking, and sustainment planning support.
• Travel as required to contractor facilities, government test locations, depots, and flight test sites to support propulsion engineering activities, testing, and program execution.

Work Environment

• Location: Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
• Travel Requirements: Minimal, 20-25%, with surge up to 50%
• Working Hours: Standard

Required Qualifications And Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of professional experience in propulsion, mechanical systems, or related engineering roles, with exposure to small piston engines (UAS, aviation, powersports, or similar applications).
• Demonstrated experience supporting engineering, test, or sustainment activities across development, integration, or operational environments.
• Ability to review and interpret technical documentation, including engine specifications, test reports, engineering drawings, and performance data.
• Experience working in or supporting government program office or defense acquisition environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to support technical meetings, prepare engineering content, and coordinate across teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to ~25% to contractor facilities, government sites, test locations, and depots. Possible surge up to 50%
• Active DoD Secret clearance is required.

Desired Qualifications And Skills

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience with small piston aviation engines used in UAS, including 2‑stroke, 4‑stroke, or heavy‑fuel engines.
• Hands‑on experience supporting engine ground test or flight test activities, including test data analysis and anomaly investigation.
• Familiarity with UAS propulsion integration, including fuel systems, cooling, controls, and airframe interfaces.
• Experience supporting DoD acquisition programs, including development, production, or sustainment of airborne systems.
• Knowledge of airworthiness processes, military or civil (e.g., Military Flight Release, FAA concepts applied to UAS).
• Experience with sustainment engineering, including reliability analysis, maintenance concepts, depot support, or obsolescence management.
• Ability to develop and support technical briefings and written products for program reviews, test events, and IPT meetings.
• Prior experience working at test ranges, flight test organizations, or contractor facilities in a field support role.
• Top Secret clearance with ability to obtain SCI/SAP is desired.

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.