SR Systems Engineer (SETA)

KBR; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer (SETA) to support government programs with independent technical assessments and engineering oversight. You will guide multi‑disciplinary teams across the full lifecycle of space systems to ensure mission alignment and compliance.

The role requires 12+ years in systems engineering, an active TS/SCI clearance, and experience with DoDAF/MBSE. On‑site work in Virginia, with a focus on resilient, future‑ready space capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering.
• 12+ years of systems engineering experience in space, counterspace, or ISR with DoD/IC.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph eligibility.
• Experience with DoDAF, MBSE tools, or similar engineering frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Provide SETA support to government program managers with independent technical assessments and acquisition support for space programs.
• Lead development, integration, and optimization of space system architectures aligned with mission objectives.
• Oversee requirements development, verification, validation, and configuration management across complex multi‑domain systems.
• Conduct evaluations, design trade studies, and risk assessments to inform decision‑making.
• Direct end‑to‑end lifecycle engineering activities from concept to sustainment.
• Coordinate with intelligence analysts and mission partners to align capabilities with evolving threats.
• Assess contractor performance and artifacts to ensure compliance with DoD/IC standards.
• Support integration of space domain awareness and ISR into enterprise architectures.

Skills

Systems engineering

DoD/IC experience

DoDAF

MBSE tools

Systems integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

Tools

MBSE tools

DoDAF

Job description

Title: SR Systems Engineer (SETA) KBR is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer (SETA) to support our customer in Chantilly, VA. The Senior Systems Engineer Expert serves as a SETA advisor providing high‑level technical expertise to our customer's mission. This role delivers independent systems engineering oversight, ensuring that government interests are protected throughout the design, development, integration, and sustainment of mission‑critical space systems. The engineer will guide multi‑disciplinary teams and contractors across the full systems engineering lifecycle, ensuring technical rigor, mission alignment, and compliance with DoD and Intelligence Community standards. The position requires deep expertise in space system architectures, threat‑driven engineering, and the evaluation of emerging technologies for operational relevance. As a SETA professional, the engineer will work closely with government leadership, program offices, and mission partners to ensure resilient, effective, and future‑ready space capabilities.

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: Join 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.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Provide SETA support to government program managers, offering independent technical assessments, engineering oversight, and acquisition support for space and counterspace programs.
• Lead the development, integration, and optimization of space system architectures aligned with our customers mission objectives.
• Oversee system requirements development, verification, validation, and configuration management across complex multi‑domain systems.
• Conduct technical evaluations, design trade studies, and risk assessments to inform government decision‑making.
• Direct end‑to‑end lifecycle engineering activities, including concept development, prototyping, testing, deployment, and sustainment.
• Coordinate with intelligence analysts, operators, and mission partners to ensure system capabilities align with evolving threat environments.
• Assess contractor performance, technical deliverables, and engineering artifacts to ensure compliance with DoD, IC, and mission‑specific standards.
• Support integration of space domain awareness (SDA), counterspace capabilities, and ISR systems into enterprise architectures.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, engineering baselines, and program‑level systems engineering artifacts.

Work Environment:

Location: Chantilly, Va and Reston, VA [On‑site] Travel Requirements: Minimal Working Hours: Standard 40 hours per week Basic Compensation: $175,000 - $220,000 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.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 12+ years of systems engineering experience, including direct work with space, counterspace, or ISR systems within the DoD or Intelligence Community.
• Demonstrated expertise in systems engineering processes, including requirements development, architecture design, integration, and testing.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance with eligibility for a polygraph.
• Experience with DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF), MBSE tools, or similar engineering frameworks.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired)

• Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of experience supporting space or counterspace programs within the Intelligence Community or national security space enterprise.
• Experience with advanced modeling and simulation tools, digital engineering environments, or space domain awareness systems.

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.

KBR — Delivering Solutions, Changing the World. KBR brings together the best and brightest to deliver science, technology and engineering solutions that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most critical missions and objectives. In everything we do, we are guided by our ONE KBR Values.

Our ONE KBR Values:

• We Value Our People – We create diverse, inclusive environments in which each person can feel safe, respected and valued, and where everyone has opportunities to grow and reach their full potential.
• We Deliver – We are uncompromising in our commitment to deliver innovative, high‑quality, technology‑led solutions for our customers and exceptional, sustainable value for all our stakeholders.
• We Are People of Integrity – We value honesty, trust, courage, fairness, prudence and tenacity. We believe doing what’s right for the planet, the communities where we work, and our people is good for business.
• We Empower – We empower our people with a shared purpose, the right tools and the supportive culture they need to be proactive decision‑makers, to be adaptive to change, and to succeed.
• We Are a Team of Teams – We have a will to succeed, but we value the achievements of our team of teams over individual accomplishments. Our collective focus makes us a better, stronger, more effective company.

We have also embedded environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in every business operation and corporate function. Not only are we committed to operating safely, sustainably and equitably, but we are also committed to using our capabilities and expertise to help our customers accomplish their sustainability goals.

Worldwide, KBR employs a diverse workforce approximately 29,000 people strong, with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in 40 countries.