Sr RF Systems Engineer

Trinzic; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 183,000 - 274,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan with company match

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

KBR’s National Security Solutions is seeking a Senior Communications Systems Engineer to provide SETA support and systems engineering for RF and laser communication networks spanning space and ground segments, with a focus on evolving architectures and secure communications. On-site in Chantilly, VA, you will work with cross-domain teams to mitigate risks and validate designs.

The role requires TS/SCI with polygraph, advanced degrees, and strong briefing/writing skills to support government

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with current Polygraph.
• Bachelor's degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or related discipline with 15 years related experience; Master’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or related discipline 12+ years related experience; PhD and 9 years’ experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, programmatic, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong briefing and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate enterprise-level architecture designs and program integration solutions and provide recommendations.
• Attend Enterprise, System, Subsystem and Segment level design reviews and program management reviews; assess design maturity, requirements compliance and provide informed technical recommendations.
• Perform independent reviews of contractor communication designs to verify satisfaction of mission needs (Requirements, CONOPs, constraints, etc).
• Prepare and Review test plans and procedures and verification and validation plans for completeness and accuracy. Ensure compliance and provide feedback.
• Monitor enterprise and system test and review verification/validation data.
• Monitor contractor level risks and track mitigation progress.
• Proactively identify and assess emerging technical and programmatic risks to the Program Office and recommend mitigation approaches.
• Develop productive relationships with Contractor counterparts, functional counterparts, and other subject matter experts.
• Provide SETA support in the design, development, and testing of RF (Ka, Ku, S, etc) and laser communication systems.
• Demonstrates expertise and/or familiarity of: Space-to-space, space-to-ground, and ground-to-ground communication networks; Mesh architecture; Internet Protocols; ITU frequency allocation rules; Cryptography implementation and IA accreditation.

Skills

RF communications

Laser communications

Systems engineering

Project leadership

Briefing skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or related discipline

Master’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or related discipline

PhD

Tools

RF hardware

Laser communication systems

Space-to-space / space-to-ground networks

Job description

Title: Sr RF Systems Engineer

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!

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.

We are seeking a Senior Communications Systems Engineer to provide systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) services to our government customer. This position supports space and ground communication networks for multiple satellite systems, that are currently in development and in orbit. It provides subject matter expertise to an evolving communications infrastructure and requires close collaboration with developers and a cross-domain team. Responsibilities include supporting interface development, providing technical support to the communications architecture, and assisting with ongoing operations and anomaly resolution.

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

• Evaluate enterprise-level architecture designs and program integration solutions and provide recommendations.
• Attend Enterprise, System, Subsystem and Segment level design reviews and program management reviews; assess design maturity, requirements compliance and provide informed technical recommendations.
• Perform independent reviews of contractor communication designs to verify satisfaction of mission needs (Requirements, CONOPs, constraints, etc).
• Prepare and Review test plans and procedures and verification and validation plans for completeness and accuracy. Ensure compliance and provide feedback.
• Monitor enterprise and system test and review verification/validation data.
• Monitor contractor level risks and track mitigation progress.
• Proactively identify and assess emerging technical and programmatic risks to the Program Office and recommend mitigation approaches.
• Develop productive relationships with Contractor counterparts, functional counterparts, and other subject matter experts.
• Provide SETA support in the design, development, and testing of RF (Ka, Ku, S, etc) and laser communication systems.
• Demonstrates expertise and/or familiarity of:
  • Space-to-space, space-to-ground, and ground-to-ground communication networks
  • Mesh architecture
  • Internet Protocols
  • International Telecommunications Union (ITU) frequency allocation rules
  • Cryptography implementation and Information Assurance accreditation

Basic Compensation

$183,000 - $274,000 USD annually

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

Work Environment

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

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with current Polygraph
• Bachelor's degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or related discipline with 15 years related experience; Master’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or related discipline 12+ years related experience; PhD and 9 years’ experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, programmatic, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong briefing and writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to be effective in a fast-paced, dynamic and energetic environment.
• Familiarity with defense and intelligence acquisition, budget planning and contracting.
• RF and laser communication expertise and/or familiarity

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.