Software Engineer - Real-Time Geospatial Mapping for Planetary Exploration

KBR; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KBR Benefits

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Software Engineer to join the Real-Time Geospatial Mapping team supporting planetary exploration. You will build and integrate web-based tools using JavaScript frameworks and mapping libraries to support mission data visualization and decision making.

Working with CLPS science teams, you will help develop 3D terrain models, data fusion, and UI interfaces that enable real-time planning and operations for Artemis-era missions.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Web Development: expertise in JavaScript with at least one MVC framework (Vue/React/Bootstrap/Angular).
• UI/UX proficiency: responsive design and ADA compliance.
• Proficient in utilizing server-side services, APIs and databases with complex JS apps.
• Knowledge of 2D geographic mapping libraries like OpenLayers, CesiumJS, Leaflet, Google Maps API.
• Familiarity with geographic map projections and coordinate systems.
• Experience with 3D graphics for terrain mapping (DEMs) and related math concepts.

Skills

U.S. Citizenship

JavaScript

UI/UX Design

APIs & Databases

Geographic Mapping

3D Graphics

Geographic Projections

Tools

Docker

Python

Flask

PostgreSQL / PostGIS

GDAL

CesiumJS

OpenLayers

Job description

Software Engineer - Real-Time Geospatial Mapping for Planetary Exploration

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.

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.

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

• Web Development: Expertise in JavaScript including at least one common JavaScript MVC framework (e.g., Vue, React, Bootstrap, or Angular)
• 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 include401K 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 foster 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.