Sr Systems Engineer (AI/ML Integration)

Trinzic; Lexington Park (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with match

Medical/Dental/Vision

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer (AI/ML Integration) to provide technical leadership for AI/ML-enabled capabilities within the MQ-9 Program Office. The role focuses on guiding architecture, requirements, evaluations, and integration activities across aerospace and defense systems.

The selected candidate will collaborate with government, industry, and engineering teams to ensure AI/ML capabilities are effectively integrated into operations while supporting acquisition, test, production,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related STEM field.
• Minimum eight (8) years of experience supporting design, integration, test, acquisition, or sustainment of complex aerospace/defense systems.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience developing, integrating, testing, or deploying AI/ML solutions.
• Active Secret security clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret; US Citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Develop systems engineering products to support requirements, acquisition, deployment, and sustainment of unmanned aviation systems and autonomous capabilities.
• Support AI/ML implementation strategies, concept plans, and technical roadmaps.
• Define and maintain system requirements, interface definitions, and architecture products for AI/ML-enabled systems.
• Assess and recommend AI/ML approaches and architectures to support mission requirements.
• Conduct technical trade studies, analyses of alternatives, and evaluations to inform program decisions.
• Coordinate with government stakeholders, development teams, test organizations, and platform integrators.
• Provide systems engineering oversight of AI/ML data management, model development, validation, integration, and deployment.
• Support engineering investigations and deficiency analyses to identify root causes and corrective actions.
• Prepare and deliver technical reports and briefing materials for program leadership.
• Lead multifunctional engineering efforts supporting AI/ML capability integration across MQ-9 enterprise.

Skills

AI/ML concepts

System architecture

Requirements analysis

Trade studies

Technical evaluations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering/Systems Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Sr Systems Engineer (AI/ML Integration)

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.

This position supports tasking at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO(U&W)) located in Patuxent River, Maryland. The selected candidate will support the Smart Sensor team in the development, integration, testing, acquisition, and sustainment of advanced unmanned aviation capabilities. This role focuses on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to support mission effectiveness, operational decision‑making, and autonomous system capabilities across the MQ-9 program portfolio.

Job Summary

KBR is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer (AI/ML Integration) to provide technical leadership supporting AI/ML‑enabled capabilities within the MQ‑9 Program Office. The selected candidate will serve as a systems engineering subject matter expert responsible for guiding architecture development, requirements definition, technical evaluations, and integration activities associated with AI/ML technologies. This role requires an understanding of AI/ML concepts and their application within complex aerospace and defense systems, with a focus on evaluating technical approaches and supporting informed program decisions. The successful candidate will collaborate with government, industry, and engineering stakeholders to ensure AI/ML capabilities are effectively integrated into operational systems while supporting acquisition, test, production, and sustainment objectives.

Role And Responsibilities

• Develop and apply systems engineering products and analyses to support the requirements, acquisition, deployment, and sustainment of unmanned aviation systems and associated autonomous capabilities.
• Support the development of AI/ML implementation strategies, concept plans, and technical roadmaps aligned with operational and program objectives.
• Define and maintain system requirements, interface definitions, and architecture products for AI/ML‑enabled systems and capabilities.
• Assess, evaluate, and recommend AI/ML approaches, technologies, and architectures to support mission and operational requirements.
• Conduct technical trade studies, analyses of alternatives, and engineering assessments to inform program decisions and investment priorities.
• Coordinate with government stakeholders, development teams, test organizations, and platform integrators to support successful system implementation and fielding.
• Provide systems engineering oversight of AI/ML data management, model development, validation, integration, and deployment activities performed by technical teams.
• Support engineering investigations and deficiency analyses to identify root causes, evaluate corrective actions, and recommend technical solutions.
• Prepare and deliver technical reports, engineering assessments, briefing materials, and decision‑support documentation for program leadership.
• Lead and coordinate multifunctional engineering efforts supporting AI/ML capability integration across the MQ‑9 enterprise.
• Other duties as assigned in support of mission and business requirements.

Basic Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related STEM field.
• Experience: Minimum eight (8) years of experience supporting the design, integration, test, acquisition, or sustainment of complex aerospace, aviation, autonomous, or defense systems. Minimum three (3) years of experience developing, integrating, testing, or deploying AI/ML solutions. Experience conducting requirements analysis, system architecture development, trade studies, and technical evaluations. Experience supporting systems engineering activities within a U.S. Government defense acquisition environment.
• Security Clearance: Active Secret security clearance with ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance. U.S. Citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience supporting AI/ML‑enabled systems, autonomous systems, sensor fusion, decision‑support systems, or advanced analytics capabilities.
• Understanding of machine learning concepts, model development lifecycles, data management practices, and AI system integration considerations.
• Experience evaluating AI/ML architectures and technical approaches for operational defense applications.
• Previous experience supporting NAVAIR programs or military aviation systems.
• Experience supporting unmanned aviation platforms, particularly MQ‑9 or similar Group 4/5 UAS programs. INCOSE ASEP, CSEP, or ESEP certification, or DAWIA certification.
• Experience preparing engineering reports, technical correspondence, and executive‑level briefing materials using Microsoft Office applications.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40 hours/week.

Compensation

$105,000-$157,000. The salary range posted is based on the national average. The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s location, knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or experience, contract affordability, 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 a 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.