Ground Systems Engineer

KBR•Chantilly, VA

8d•$150,000 - $225,000•Onsite

About The Position

KBR National Security Solutions is seeking a Senior Ground Systems Engineer to provide Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support to a major U.S. Government organization responsible for acquiring, integrating, and operating proliferated satellite constellations. The role focuses on the satellite ground segment, including mission operations, command and control, data processing, dissemination, and user interfaces. The engineer will work within an integrated Government and contractor team to deliver resilient, scalable space capabilities for national security missions. The position supports the planning, engineering, integration, testing, operation, and maintenance of ground systems. It includes requirements and architecture development, interface management across spacecraft and mission segments, evaluation of contractor designs and test results, operational readiness activities, and preparation of analyses, recommendations, plans, reports, and briefings for Government stakeholders. The position is on-site in Chantilly, Virginia, with minimal travel (less than 25%) to contractor facilities, test sites, or launch locations. Working hours are flexible, with support during standard Government work hours and surge support during integration and launch phases.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Active TS/SCI clearance with a current polygraph.
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data analytics, or a related STEM technical discipline; specific contract requirements regarding education and experience will prevail.
At least 8 years of experience supporting satellite ground system development, integration, and test.
Knowledge of the Government customer’s space and ground domain mission and technical capabilities.
Systems engineering background and understanding of the systems development life cycle, from concept and requirements through design, integration and test, deployment, maintenance, and decommissioning.
Experience in requirements definition, system architectures, systems analysis and design, interface and data architectures, validation, and verification.
Ability to take initiative, address customer requirements proactively without supervision, and define solutions for broad, abstract topics.
Familiarity with model-based systems engineering, digital engineering concepts and tools, Agile/DevSecOps development methodology, and cloud technologies.
Ability to use standard business management tools and financial systems, MS Office, and project management software.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain trusted client relationships.
Knowledge of U.S. Government contracting and federal acquisition regulations, spacecraft lifecycle milestones, and review processes, and ability to operate successfully in this environment.
Ability to work both in a team environment and independently.
Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical issues clearly to all levels of Government leadership.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or Ph.D. degree in a related STEM technical discipline.
At least 10 years of experience supporting ground system development, integration, and test.
Experience working across multiple satellite ground programs or production lines.
Experience initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling DoD or Intelligence Community projects or programs.
Deep knowledge of satellite Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) architectures.
Experience defining, developing, configuration managing, auditing, and verifying large-scale ground system architectures.
Familiarity with JIRA and Confluence.
Familiarity with modeling languages such as Python, SysML, and UAFML.
Experience with cloud-based technologies and automation to optimize platform performance and reliability.

Responsibilities

Advise and assist the Government with planning, engineering, integration, and operation and maintenance activities for ground systems.
Analyze and document site system architecture and the impacts of system updates and deliveries.
Support requirements definition, architecture development, and trade studies for spacecraft ground systems.
Interface with spacecraft, payload, network, and user-segment teams to define and manage end-to-end system interfaces.
Support integration and test planning and execution across ground and space segments.
Evaluate contractor designs, test results, and operational concepts for compliance with mission requirements.
Assist with operational readiness activities, including rehearsals, exercises, and transition to sustainment.
Contribute to system documentation, reviews, and decision briefings for Government leadership.
Collaborate with Headquarters Directorates, site organizations, and mission partners to ensure shared understanding of project requirements and cost, schedule, and technical risks.
Develop and deliver analyses, recommendations, plans, reports, and briefings to the Government.
Support development and integration of automated test solutions and continuous improvement in software design and architecture.