Senior Electro-Optical Systems Engineer

KBR•Greenbelt, MD

10d•$171,400 - $257,100

About The Position

KBR is seeking a Senior Electro-Optical Engineer to support the MIST Contract with NASA at Goddard Space Flight Center. The role works on projects from concept development through product space-flight qualification and calls for specialist-level knowledge in remote-sensing system design and laboratory testing, radiometric modeling and calibration, and Level 1 data-processing algorithms and techniques. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The position involves developing and testing active and passive remote-sensing systems for science and exploration spaceflight applications, including autonomous and human-rated systems. The engineer works with cross-functional engineering teams, customers, technicians, manufacturing and quality personnel, and vendors to develop and qualify electro-optical and opto-mechanical systems, resolve design issues, and validate instrument performance. This position supports KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, which is planned to spin off as Trinzic in January 2027. Employees who join the business before the spin-off are expected to transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete without reapplying.

Requirements

MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Electro-Optical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
12 or more years of experience as an electrical and/or electro-optical engineer in the aerospace arena.
Experience with one or more of: BRDF measurements, fiber optics, fiber lasers, spectroscopy, integrated photonics, laser communication systems, or RF photonics.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Strong knowledge of Zemax or Code V for aerospace applications, with experience designing and/or analyzing optical assemblies and precision mechanisms.
Experience in the development and qualification of flight electro-optical systems.
Ability to work comfortably in a cross-disciplinary environment to develop and implement new designs or troubleshoot existing designs.
Knowledge of optics fabrication and testing methods.
Demonstrated ethical and professional behavior in accordance with company values.
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of detectors, detector systems, fiber optics, and the design and development of laser systems.
Solid understanding of the NASA flight hardware development process and methodology.
Knowledge of optical metrology and interferometry.
Knowledge of optical coating design, processes, and inspection.
Experience in the development and qualification of flight optical systems.
Bidirectional Scatter Distribution Function (BSDF) calibration-related experience.

Responsibilities

Conduct electro-optical design, development, and testing of active and passive remote-sensor systems and subsystems for science and exploration spaceflight applications, including autonomous and human-rated systems.
Administer, design, select, and modify required electro-optical system applications, and develop system requirements and verification methods.
Develop radiometric models of remote-sensing instruments and error sources.
Work with end users to resolve engineering design issues and limitations, provide solutions, and coordinate with applications development on system enhancements.
Perform laser-related Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and functional-safety hazard analysis to identify, manage, and reduce risks.
Monitor and enhance performance and validate performance using NIST calibration of check samples.
Work with mechanical, systems, thermal, and structural engineers, customers, and vendors on opto-mechanical system development projects in cross-functional teams.
Collaborate with engineers, technicians, manufacturing personnel, and quality engineers in a team environment.
Prepare and deliver technical presentations, provide input to project schedules, and support project-level reviews.
Write test procedures, plans, and reports as needed.