WASP Project Manager / Senior Systems Engineer

Trinzic; Patuxent Highland (MD); On-site; USD 136,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan

medical

dental

vision

life insurance

AD&D

flexible spending account

disability

paid time off

flexible work schedule

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Project Manager / Senior Systems Engineer to support the U.S. Navy WASP program at NAS Patuxent River.

This role blends project management, systems engineering, operational analysis, software requirements development, and customer engagement in a dynamic defense environment. The successful candidate will lead project-level activities, collaborate with Navy stakeholders, software developers, and fleet users, and grow into broader program management responsibilities while

Qualifications

• 10+ years of operational experience with tactical aviation mission planning systems.
• Current secret security clearance.
• Experience leading projects, teams, or programs.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of military, technical, and leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day execution of the WASP project and support contract performance objectives.
• Develop schedules, plans, reports, and customer deliverables.
• Coordinate with Navy stakeholders, software developers, and engineering teams.
• Translate operational needs into system requirements and software enhancements.
• Analyze aircraft weapons employment, stores loading, mission-planning requirements, and related technical data.
• Review changes to operational publications, flight clearances, and technical guidance and assess impacts to the WASP software baseline.
• Participate in technical reviews, testing activities, and configuration management processes.
• Support Agile software-development activities and release planning.
• Identify program risks, improvement opportunities, and future capability enhancements.
• Contribute to long-term program strategy and growth initiatives.

Skills

Project leadership

Operational aviation experience

Mission planning systems

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

JMPS

WASP

Job description

WASP Project Manager / Senior 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. Security Clearance: Active Secret clearance required

KBR is seeking a Project Manager / Senior Systems Engineer to support the U.S. Navy's Weaponeering and Stores Planning (WASP) program at NAS Patuxent River. WASP is a mission-planning capability used by Naval Aviation to support weapons employment, stores planning, and mission execution for F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft. This role combines project management, systems engineering, operational analysis, software requirements development, and customer engagement. The successful candidate will work directly with Navy stakeholders, software developers, and operational users to ensure the WASP program continues to deliver mission-ready capabilities to the fleet. This position offers a unique opportunity for professional growth. The selected candidate will initially lead project-level activities while gaining exposure to customer relationships, strategic planning, contract execution, and business growth initiatives. Over time, this role is expected to evolve into broader Program Manager responsibilities for the right individual. We are seeking an aviation professional who understands operational mission planning and enjoys solving complex problems. The ideal candidate has enough technical depth to work with engineers and developers, enough operational credibility to engage fleet users, and the initiative to identify opportunities for improvement and growth. Just as importantly, we are looking for someone with an entrepreneurial mindset. This is not a position for someone who simply wants to maintain the status quo. We want a leader who is energized by improving processes, building relationships, identifying new opportunities, mentoring others, and helping shape the future direction of the WASP program.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day execution of the WASP project and support contract performance objectives.
• Develop schedules, plans, reports, and customer deliverables.
• Coordinate with Navy stakeholders, software developers, and engineering teams.
• Translate operational needs into system requirements and software enhancements.
• Analyze aircraft weapons employment, stores loading, mission-planning requirements, and related technical data.
• Review changes to operational publications, flight clearances, and technical guidance and assess impacts to the WASP software baseline.
• Participate in technical reviews, testing activities, and configuration management processes.
• Support Agile software-development activities and release planning.
• Identify program risks, improvement opportunities, and future capability enhancements.
• Contribute to long-term program strategy and growth initiatives.

Basic Qualifications

• 10+ years of operational experience with tactical aviation mission planning systems.
• Current or former Naval Aviator or Naval Flight Officer/Weapon Systems Officer.
• Experience leading projects, teams, programs, or operational initiatives.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of military, technical, and leadership experience.
• Current secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• F/A-18A-F tactical aviation experience
• USN Fighter Weapons School Graduate or Air-to-Ground Weapons Training Officer Course Graduate
• Experience with Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS), WASP, or similar mission-planning tools.
• Systems engineering, testing, software-development, or requirements-management experience.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience supporting Navy acquisition, aviation software, or operational flight programs.
• Familiarity with Agile or SAFe development practices.
• Previous supervisory, department-head, program-management, or military leadership experience.

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 hours/week.

Compensation: $136,000-$190,000. 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

• 401K plan with company match
• medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• AD&D
• flexible spending account
• disability
• paid time off
• flexible work schedule

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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