Title:

KBR’s Mission Engineering Division delivers complex technical solutions and expert support to the U.S. Department of Defense, specializing in modeling and simulation, cyber transformation, air vehicle mission integration, and lifecycle support. As a trusted partner with a proven history in mission technology, KBR collaborates closely with clients to develop innovative and effective solutions. With a strong ethical framework, KBR prioritizes data security, privacy, and responsible information management to ensure mission success.

KBR is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented professional to join our team as a Systems Engineer for the Smart Sensor Payload, a next-generation, AI (Artificial Intelligence) enabled payload designed to provide persistent ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and advanced targeting capabilities of the USMC MQ-9 MUX MALE platform. The selected candidate will perform tasks to ensure the integration, testing, and sustainment of the Smart Sensor payload on the MQ-9 MUX MALE platform. If you have a passion for systems engineering and supporting advanced unmanned aviation programs, this is the perfect opportunity to apply your expertise and contribute to mission-critical projects. Our ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic environment and is eager to deliver innovative systems engineering solutions to the Fleet. This position supports tasking at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Program Executive Office, Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO(U&W)), located in Patuxent River, MD.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Responsibilities include developing and managing sensor requirements, verifying data fusion, planning and executing lab and flight tests, and ensuring interoperability with other mission systems.
• Supports engineering change proposals, analyzing technical risks, and recommending solutions to enhance Smart Sensor Payload capability and survivability.
• Collaborate closely with program managers, engineers, test teams, and industry partners to ensure the Smart Sensor Payload meets performance, safety, and certification standards. This position offers the opportunity to influence innovative ML (Machine Learning) capabilities that directly support the warfighter and advance the Navy and Marine Corps’ unmanned aviation mission.
• Develop and apply systems engineering products and analyses to support requirement development, acquisition, deployment, and sustainment of unmanned aviation systems and associated autonomous functions/systems.
• Perform end-to-end technical integration of the Smart Sensor Payload with the MQ-9 MUX MALE platform and Ground Control Station.
• Develop airworthiness and certification artifacts, verify hardware interface documentation, and manage/verify test data to support program technical reviews.
• Confirm platform integration with sensor and data fusion requirements and ensure AI/ML data collection outputs align to government standards and integrate with joint network architectures and operator GUIs (Graphic User Interfaces).
• Ensure interoperability with MUX MALE partner payloads and communication pathways to ensure end-to-end mission threads across air vehicle, ground stations, and C2 nodes.
• Curate technical data to support development of technical manuals (E.g., NATOPS/NATIP) and training/readiness artifacts to support fielding and sustainment.​

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering & 2(+) years of experience.   
• Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain, with the ability to obtain/maintain Top Secret/SCI. Contract requires US Citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or pursuing)
•  Certification in Systems Engineering
• Experience with NAVAIR Systems Engineering Technical Review (SETR) process.
• Familiarity with DoD aviation development, production, sustainment, and/or testing
• Knowledge of U.S. Government, DoD, and/or USN correspondence development practices, along with the ability to write formal engineering reports and construct briefing materials using MS Office tools (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Demonstrated experience at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
• Previous experience with military avionics systems, particularly sensor integration
• Previous experience with unmanned aviation systems, particularly the MQ-9A
• Experience with military aviation systems, either manned or unmanned.

Additional Notes: The selected applicant may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 hours/week

Basic Compensation: $84K-$126K. 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 sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short term incentives, long term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

Benefits: KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include a 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 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.