Software Systems Engineer

KBR Careers; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan with company match

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

AD&D

Flexible spending account

Paid time off

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Software Systems Engineer to provide systems engineering and integration leadership for software‑intensive mission capabilities within DoD environments. The role focuses on defining and decomposing requirements, coordinating across multiple contractors and DoD enclaves, and guiding secure integration from development through deployment.

The candidate will operate as the government’s technical integrator, driving interfaces, verification, risk reduction, and alignment across

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
• Strong system engineering and integration capabilities across teams.
• Experience with secure software development lifecycle and DoD-style environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide SE&I leadership for secure software applications in DoD missions.
• Coordinate government and primes to define use cases, constraints, and integration priorities.
• Develop and manage software and interface requirements, including ICDs and IRS.
• Lead software integration into restricted DoD environments and DoD pipelines.
• Define verification strategy, test objectives, and acceptance criteria for software integration.
• Mentor engineers on secure integration patterns and best practices.

Skills

Clearance eligibility

Communication

MS Office

Systems engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/SE

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Jira

Confluence

Job description

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

Software Systems Engineer

KBR’s National Security Solutions team provides high‑end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role – protecting our national security.

You will join a systems engineering team defining the next generation of space communication systems supporting US Space Force (USSF) satellite communications. You will support Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) activities in a multidisciplinary and collaborative environment. You will interface and collaborate with SE&I team members, contractors, government civilians and members of the USSF. You will lead and support several working groups responsible for leading technical discussion, resolve and identify risk, requirement gaps, developing briefings, writing, and tracking action items, and authoring meeting minutes.

The MILSATCOM Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test (MSEIT) effort provides leading edge Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) for the US Space Force’s Space Systems Center (SSC). We support the Space Force’s acquisition of state of the art satellite communications systems, providing global secure, survivable, and protected communications for our nation’s warfighters. We seek technical individuals who will thrive in a highly collaborative work environment of small teams, using the most modern tools and methodologies to tackle the challenges of integrating complex space and ground communications systems.

The Software Systems Engineer provides systems engineering and integration leadership to the Government / DoD for software‑intensive mission capabilities. The role focuses on defining, decomposing, and validating requirements for prime contractor software deliverables, and leading system‑of‑systems software integration back into DoD programs and operational environments,

This position is best suited for a senior engineer who can operate as the Government’s technical integrator—driving interfaces, verification, risk reduction, and deployment alignment across multiple contractors and DoD enclaves.

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: Be part of 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

• Provide engineering analysis and SE&I leadership for secure software applications supporting DoD mission planning and operations, with emphasis on integration oversight rather than feature factory development.
• Serve as the Government’s technical integrator across PTS‑G software elements other Space Force / DoD product teams, ensuring interoperability, data flow, message correctness, and operational alignment.
• Lead Government coordination with prime contractors and stakeholders to define mission use cases, system constraints, and integration priorities within governed DoD environments.
• Develop, refine, and manage software and interface requirements for prime contractors, including: – Interface requirements and message/data definitions (e.g., schema/API expectations)
• Operational constraints for IL environments and cross‑domain data movement
• Produce and maintain Government technical artifacts used for contractor direction and evaluation, such as:
• Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
• Interface Requirements Specifications (IRS)
• Verification cross‑references and requirements traceability
• Test objectives, evaluation criteria, and acceptance measures (software integration focused)
• Plan and oversee software integration into restricted DoD operating environments, including air‑gapped and classified deployments, addressing sustainment constraints, network limitations, and accreditation realities.
• Coordinate software deployment and integration activities with Government teams and primes using DoD‑aligned DevSecOps pipelines, including automated testing, security scanning, artifact management, and compliant delivery processes.
• Ensure end‑to‑end integration supports mission workflows requiring cross‑domain data transport (when applicable), and that interfaces are testable and operationally supportable.
• Define and lead software integration verification strategy: integration test approach, exit criteria, defect triage patterns, and readiness recommendations for Government decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement via architecture and tooling recommendations to improve integration reliability, repeatability, and sustainment readiness.
• Develop and present decision packages, technical recommendations, and risk assessments to customers at multiple levels; facilitate technical interchange with primes and Government teams.
• Mentor engineers on secure integration patterns, interface discipline, verification rigor, and defense software engineering best practices.

Work Environment

• Location: On‑site
• Travel Requirements: Minimal
• Working Hours: Standard

Qualifications

Required:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, systems engineering, or related discipline
• 5 years’ experience in software systems engineering or software integration, including defining requirements and leading integration across teams
• Demonstrated experience in software systems engineering, including requirements decomposition, architecture definition, interface specifications, verification strategy, and integration oversight
• Strong understanding of secure software development lifecycle, secure design principles, and embedding security requirements early in the lifecycle.
• Experience with service‑oriented architectures, microservices, and designing/assessing secure APIs and data interfaces
• Familiarity with cybersecurity processes relevant to DoD delivery, including RMF awareness and ATO‑supporting technical artifacts, as applicable to software
• Proven ability to work across software, systems, and cybersecurity teams and to drive alignment among Government stakeholders and prime contractors
• Strong written/verbal communication skills; able to produce and brief clear recommendations, risks, and options to non‑developer stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in regulated, mission‑driven environments
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

Desired

• Active Secret or higher clearance
• Experience working with or deploying software to DoD networks, classified environments, or mission systems
• Familiarity with DoD‑aligned DevSecOps frameworks.
• Knowledge of STIG hardening, security controls, and vulnerability management tools
• Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, and containerized deployment strategies, including operation in disconnected or restricted networks
• Experience with AWS GovCloud and/or Azure Government environments
• Familiarity with Jira and Confluence for Agile planning and documentation
• Experience implementing Agile development methodologies in government or defense programs
• Background in systems integration, interface control documents (ICDs), or system‑of‑systems engineering
• Systems engineering or program management certifications such as CSEP, ESEP, PMI / PMP

Basic Compensation:

$121,000-$151,000 in California

The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.

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 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.

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