Space Operations Center Manager

KBR Careers; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 177,000 - 217,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR seeks a Space Operations Center Manager in Virginia to direct real-time satellite and ground system operations, coordinating with partner centers to synchronize contractor efforts under senior leadership.

The role requires 11+ years in space domain operations or 12+ years with a relevant degree, plus active TS/SCI with Poly. You will lead incident response, C3 oversight, and a 24/7 shift team, delivering timely mission updates and executive briefs.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree plus 11 years of relevant space domain awareness / operations experience OR bachelor’s degree with 12 years of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise OR No Degree with 14 years of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise
• 2 years relevant operations floor experience
• 7 years combined experience in space enterprise operations, including working knowledge of systems integration, dependencies and data flows
• Active TS/SCI with Poly required to be considered
• Familiarity with DOD satellite operations
• Be able to perform contract tasks independently and lead teams
• Strong oral and written communications skills

Responsibilities

• Mission Monitoring & Real-Time Operations: Maintain continuous oversight of satellite and ground system operational status.
• Incidents & Crisis Management: Serve as first-line operational authority during system incidents and lead incident response teams.
• C3 Oversight: Ensure reliable communications flow between organization, mission partners, and national intelligence customers.
• Leadership & Workforce Management: Lead a 24/7 operations shift workforce and evaluate operations personnel for mission readiness.
• Coordination with mission partners: Collaborate with partners to synchronize actions and reporting.
• Reporting & Executive Communication: Provide senior leadership with operational summaries, briefs, and situational updates.

Skills

Space operations

Leadership

Contract management

Operational coordination

Communication skills

Security clearance

Education

Master's Degree

Bachelor's Degree

No Degree

Job description

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! 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.

Title

Space Operations Center Manager

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! 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.

This is a contingent position based upon contract award KBR is seeking a highly motivated and career-oriented Space Operations Center Manager to join our team. As the Space Operations Center Manager, you will direct operations and integration activities at the Space Operations Center to synchronize contractor efforts across all technical requirements and do so in coordination with the manager of the partner Space Operations Center.

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.

Primary Responsibilities

• Mission Monitoring & Real-Time Operations
  • Maintain continuous oversight of satellite and ground system operational status.
  • Ensure timely detection of mission impacts, anomalies, or system degradations.
  • Coordinate immediate triage and direct the response to mission-impacting events.
• Incident & Crisis Management
  • Serve as first-line operational authority during system incidents
  • Lead incident response teams and coordinate with engineering, security, and intel partners.
  • Provide operational recommendations to senior leadership during time-sensitive events.
• Command, Control, & Communications (C3) Oversight
  • Ensure reliable communications flow between organization, mission partners, and national intelligence customers.
  • Validate reporting, alerts, and operational updates are accurate and timely.
  • Oversee operational message traffic, executive notifications, and situational reporting.
• Leadership & Workforce Management
  • Lead a 24/7 operations shift workforce consisting of operators, analysts, and technical specialists.
  • Train, certify, and evaluate operations personnel for mission readiness.
  • Establish performance standards, workflow processes, and knowledge management practices.
• Coordination with mission partners
• Reporting & Executive Communication
  • Provide senior leadership with accurate, timely operational summaries and incident reports.
  • Deliver briefs, mission health updates, and significant activity summaries.
  • Ensure reporting supports national-level situational awareness.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree plus 11 years of relevant space domain awareness / operations experience with demonstrated expertise or bachelor’s degree with 12 years of relevant experience with demonstrated experience with demonstrated expertise or No Degree with 14 years of relevant experience with demonstrated experience with demonstrated expertise
• 2 years relevant operations floor experience
• 7 years combined experience in space enterprise operations, including working knowledge of systems integration, dependencies and data flows
• Active TS/SCI with Poly required to be considered
• Familiarity with DOD satellite operations
• Be able to perform contract tasks independently and lead teams
• Strong oral and written communications skills

Basic Compensation

$177,300 - $216,600

This range is for the Virginia area only

The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or 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.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re excited about making a significant impact in the field of space defense and working on projects that matter, Let's shape the future together.

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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