Software Engineer - Real-Time Geospatial Mapping for Planetary Exploration

KBR Careers; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 231,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR seeks a Software Engineer in Fremont, CA to contribute to real-time geospatial mapping for planetary exploration. You will help develop Moon mission tools supporting Artemis, CLPS, and Moon-to-Mars initiatives with a web-based interface and 3D terrain visualization.

Work includes integrating AI, data fusion, and geospatial libraries (CesiumJS, GDAL, PostGIS) within a Unix/Linux stack. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and collaborate with NASA Ames teams.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required.
• Experience in UI/UX design and modern web app development.
• Proficiency with server-side services, APIs, and databases.
• Experience with 2D mapping libraries and geospatial visualization.
• Familiarity with map projections and coordinate systems.
• Familiarity with map services and DEM data.
• Experience with 3D graphics in terrain mapping.
• Experience integrating AI tools into user-facing apps.
• Domain knowledge of mobility systems is a plus.
• User-centered design and feedback-driven iterativ e improvements.

Responsibilities

• Develop real-time geospatial mapping tools for lunar exploration.
• Collaborate with CLPS science team to populate mission data.
• Build interactive, web-based terrain models and visualization interfaces.
• Integrate AI tools for summarization and search within data sets.

Skills

UI/UX Proficiency

Server-side APIs

JavaScript mapping

Geographic projections

Map services

3D graphics

AI tools integration

Robotics concepts

Mobility domain knowledge

User-centered design

Tools

CesiumJS

Vue

Webpack

ES6

Bootstrap 5

Docker

Python

Flask

PostGIS

GDAL

SSE

REDIS

Job description

Software Engineer - Real-Time Geospatial Mapping for Planetary Exploration

BELONG. CONNECT. GROW. with KBR.

Around here, we define the future. We are a company of innovators, thinkers, creators, explorers, volunteers, and dreamers. But we all share one goal: to improve the world responsibly and safely.

Description Of Work Effort

Join NASA Ames writing software to help explore the moon! Help us meet the emerging needs of Artemis, Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) and future Moon-to-Mars missions. Looking for a software engineer to assist with development of two coordinated work efforts:

• M2M CSDS - the Moon to Mars Collaborative Science Data System
• WITME - Web-Based Integrated Terrain Model Estimation tool

These tools provide a reusable, science-centric collaboration platform that enables distributed science teams to collectively visualize, analyze, and interpret mission data in support of time-critical decision making. They will prototype capability for uncertainty-aware fusion of orbital and surface terrain data for real-time operational decision support.

M2M CSDS and WITME both build on NASA Ames - developed collaborative data systems and science operations architectures matured through the Exploration Ground Data Systems (xGDS) research project and VIPER mission science operations.

M2M CSDS development will require the applicant to work closely with an active CLPS science team to populate the proof-of-concept M2M CSDS with mission relevant data. Software development will include an interactive, shared planning/replanning and execution monitoring capability that builds on design concepts developed for the Ames-led xGDS in a mature mission-proven environment. The work effort will include the integration of FedRAMP and NASA approved AI tools (e.g. Google Gemini) to provide summarization and search capabilities on the data sets and annotations deployed in M2M CSDS. These capabilities are anticipated to provide substantial benefits for supporting real-time science and operations (e.g. rapid initial generation of shift handover highlights that can be further augmented and edited by science team members).

WITME involves the development and application of statistically principled fusion methods to weight orbital and surface data by their uncertainties, and build unified 3D models with quantitative confidence estimates derived from these data. Specifically, the applicant will help develop effective user interfaces and displays to communicate confidence in terrain model data at different locations. This will enable mission teams to rapidly assimilate new terrain data, improving traverse planning and decision-making through a collaborative web-based interface.

Required Experience & Skills

Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

• UI/UX Proficiency: experience with user-facing application design and implementation. Familiar with modern standards and best practices in UI design and development (responsive design, ADA compliance).
• Proficient in utilizing server-side services, APIs and database tools and understanding how they interface with complex JavaScript applications.
• JavaScript Mapping/Rendering: An understanding of 2D geographic mapping libraries such as OpenLayers, CesiumJS, Three, Leaflet, Google Maps API, etc.
• Geographic Map Projections: Familiarity with using different map projections and coordinate systems.
• Geographic Map Services: Familiarity with services that provide map layers such as Google or Bing Maps, MapBox or any WMS data provider/ DEMs.
• 3D Graphics: Experience with 3D graphics, particularly as used with terrain mapping (e.g. DEMs) and a practical understanding of the underlying mathematical concepts used in graphics

Areas Of Desired Experience & Skills

• AI Tools: Experience integrating AI tools into a user facing application.
• Robotics: Interest in and understanding the needs of working with robots. Direct experience is a plus.
• Domain Knowledge: Experience with mobility systems (air, water, or ground) to understand their operational complexities.
• User-Centered Design: Ability to gather feedback from end-users and iteratively improve tool design based on that input.
• GDAL: Familiarity with GDAL and GeoTIFF files.
• Server side development skills: Python, Flask/Bottle, Docker, REDIS, PostGIS/ Postgres

Expected Technology Stack Includes

• Front End
  • CesiumJS
  • Vue
  • Webpack
  • ES6
  • Bootstrap 5
• Back End
  • Docker
  • Python
  • Flask
  • Postgres / PostGIS
  • Lunaserv
  • GDAL
  • SSE
  • REDIS

Basic Compensation

Jobs on this contract range from $145,000.00 - $230,900.00.

Pay range is specific to the California, San Francisco Bay Area.

The offered rate will be based on the position, contract affordability, the selected candidate’s working location, knowledge, skills, abilities, 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 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.