Software Engineer - Real-Time Geospatial Mapping for Planetary Exploration

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

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan with company match

Medical, dental, vision

Life insurance

Flexible spending account

Disability

Paid time off

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Software Engineer for Real-Time Geospatial Mapping to support NASA Ames and Artemis missions. You will contribute to two coordinated efforts, M2M CSDS and WITME, developing a shared science-centric platform for visualization, analysis, and decision support in time-critical scenarios.

You will work with geospatial libraries (CesiumJS, OpenLayers), 3D terrain modeling, and AI-enabled tools, collaborating with a CLPS team to deliver robust UI, backend services, and data pipelines

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Experience designing user-facing applications with responsive, accessible UI.
• Experience with server-side services, APIs and databases in complex JavaScript apps.
• Strong knowledge of geographic mapping libraries and projections.
• Hands-on with 3D terrain visualization and related math concepts.
• Familiarity with GDAL and geospatial data formats.

Responsibilities

• Develop software for M2M CSDS and WITME in collaboration with NASA CLPS teams.
• Integrate FedRAMP and NASA-approved AI tools for data summarization and search.
• Build web interfaces to communicate terrain model confidence and enable rapid planning.
• Support real-time science and operational decision-making in a mission context.

Skills

UI/UX proficiency

APIs & databases

JavaScript mapping/rendering

Geographic map projections

Geographic map services

3D graphics in terrain

User-centered design

AI tool integration

Education

Tools

Docker

Python

Flask

PostGIS

Postgres

GDAL

Redis

SSE

OpenLayers

CesiumJS

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.