R&D Systems Engineer

About the role

KBR is seeking an innovative R&D Systems Engineer to join our team, providing critical technical services to the U.S. Government (USG). This role supports a dedicated USG Program Office focused on pioneering the next generation of national security space systems. You will provide Systems Engineering & Technical Advisory (SETA) support, concentrating on the research and development of revolutionary ground systems that command, control, and process data from advanced satellite constellations.

Responsibilities

• Technical Analysis: Conduct in-depth technical analysis and review of ground system concepts, architectures, and technologies
• Review & Processing: Review and contribute to design, modeling, and analysis for orchestration, task scheduling, data processing.
• Evaluation & Optimization: Evaluate and optimize data processing workflows, from initial satellite downlink and data ingestion to final dissemination. Assess the integration of machine learning and AI technologies to enhance data exploitation and automate ground system functions.
• Lifecycle Support: Provide technical and programmatic expertise throughout the entire project lifecycle. This includes concept development, system definition, acquisition planning, design, development, integration and test (I&T), and transition to mission operations.
• Cost Analysis: Perform analysis of alternatives to optimize system performance, cost, and schedule.
• Innovation & Collaboration: Actively participate in an enterprise-wide R&D environment, contributing to and leveraging shared knowledge to advance organizational capabilities in satellite ground systems.
• Innovation Scouting: Curate state of the art technology for evaluation.
• Work Environment: Location: On-Site
• Travel Requirements: Minimal 0-20%
• Working Hours: Standard

Requirements

• Clearance: Active TS/SCI with Polygraph
• Education: Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years, Master’s degree with 3+ years, or a PhD with 0+ years of relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Ground Systems Engineering: In-depth knowledge of systems engineering and integration as applied to satellite ground networks, command and control systems, and data processing pipelines
• Tasking & Scheduling: Experience with satellite mission planning, autonomous tasking, contact scheduling, and resource management systems.
• Communications & Data: Experience with space-to-ground communications links, data routing, and processing of overhead sensor data (e.g., SIGINT, IMINT).
• Automation & AI/ML: Knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies applied to ground system automation, performance monitoring, or data analysis.
• Lifecycle Experience: Experience with system acquisition, design, development, I&T, or mission operations for satellite ground systems.
• Modeling & Simulation: Proficiency in system modeling, simulation, and performance analysis for complex ground architectures.
• Domain Knowledge: Familiarity with the IC mission, organizations, systems, and processes.

Skills

• Demonstrated expertise in satellite ground system architecture, operations, and data processing.