SR Systems Engineer (SETA)

Frazer-Nash Consultancy; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer (SETA) to provide independent technical assessments and engineering oversight for space and counterspace programs in Chantilly, VA. You will guide multi‑disciplinary teams, manage system requirements, and ensure compliance with DoD and IC standards throughout the lifecycle.

The role requires deep space system expertise, TS/SCI clearance with polygraph eligibility, and collaboration with government leadership to deliver resilient, future‑ready capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 12+ years of systems engineering experience, including space/counterspace/ISR in DoD/IC.
• Active TS/SCI 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 multi-domain systems.
• Conduct evaluations, 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 ensure alignment with threat environments.
• Assess contractor performance and artifacts for compliance with DoD/IC standards.
• Support integration of space domain awareness and ISR systems into enterprise architectures.

Skills

Space systems engineering

SETA experience

DoD/IC standards

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering or related field

Master’s degree in Systems Engineering or related field

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.