Sr. Mechanical Engineer (Flight Hardware Development)

KBR • Houston, TX

27d

About The Position

The Senior Mechanical Engineer participates in developing ground and flight hardware components for systems supporting NASA missions. The hardware is used primarily to maintain astronauts’ health and well-being or to conduct experiments on the International Space Station and in exploration missions. The role applies extensive mechanical engineering knowledge to space-related problems, makes independent technical decisions across a broad range of assignments, and serves in technical leadership roles. Work may receive technical guidance for unusual or complex problems and supervisory approval for proposed project plans.

In the Design Engineering and Fabrication Section, the engineer supports assigned projects through requirements generation and definition; conceptual, preliminary, and detailed hardware design and testing; assembly and fabrication; acceptance and qualification testing; and hardware operations. The role includes planning or coordinating engineering work, reviewing others’ work, mentoring design engineers, providing design-review guidance, and helping ensure technical work meets quality, schedule, and budget expectations. The engineer also tracks and reports tasking, technical status, budget, schedule, and risks, and supports ISO/AS9100/CMMI activities and audits.

The position requires collaboration across engineering disciplines and with contract management, peers, customers, and project teams. The engineer is expected to follow safety, health, environmental, quality, and company procedures; complete assigned training; maintain dependable attendance and work habits; and contribute to continuous improvement. KBR’s Mission Technology Solutions business is expected to spin off as Trinzic in January 2027; employees who join before the separation is complete are expected to transition to Trinzic without reapplying.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• At least 10 years of related experience; the posting cites average experience of 15 or more years, including at least 12 years in flight hardware development.
• Previous working experience with NASA, a NASA contractor, or the Department of Defense.
• Demonstrated success working on complex projects in a dynamic environment.
• Experience developing hardware or products for highly integrated projects.
• Experience mentoring younger engineers.
• Experience troubleshooting hardware issues.
• Ability to identify risks and issues, assess mitigation options, and implement solutions.
• Comprehensive knowledge of engineering disciplines and how to apply appropriate expertise within human spaceflight programs.
• Experience with NASA systems.
• Leadership experience with technical personnel performing complex engineering activities.
• Effective verbal and written communication, including presenting information to customers and communicating technical information in forums.
• Ability to work in a team environment and follow processes and procedures.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, including the ability to lead and motivate personnel and improve efficiency.
• Mature professional judgment in establishing design artifacts, objectives, milestones, and priorities.
• Experience with configuration and data management processes.
• Reliable, dependable work habits and dedication to completing assignments.
• Ability to use MS Office tools.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and established company policies and procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Experience troubleshooting mechanical issues.
• Working knowledge of electrical engineering.
• Experience in machine shop estimation and production planning.
• Familiarity with NASA or DoD work instructions.

Responsibilities

• Develop ground and flight hardware components for systems supporting NASA missions, including astronaut health and well-being and space-based experiments.
• Apply mechanical engineering principles and practices to independently evaluate problems, select engineering techniques, and develop solutions.
• Perform requirements and specifications generation and definition, hardware research, conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design, and testing.
• Support hardware assembly and fabrication, acceptance and qualification testing, and hardware operations.
• Plan, schedule, conduct, or coordinate detailed phases of engineering work within projects.
• Serve in technical leadership roles and provide design-review oversight and guidance to engineers.
• Mentor younger design engineers and participate in reviewing others’ work to help ensure quality.
• Identify and assess risks and issues, develop mitigation options, and implement solutions.
• Determine, track, and report project tasking and technical, budget, schedule, and risk status.
• Support ISO/AS9100/CMMI activities and audits.
• Communicate with contract management, project managers and leads, peers, customers, and contract colleagues.
• Comply with safety, health, environmental, quality assurance, company policies, procedures, and work rules; report safety violations or potential violations.
• Complete assigned training, maintain acceptable attendance, and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Deliver work products under time and budget constraints and to established quality standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, and disability benefits.
• Paid time off.
• Flexible work schedule may be available.
• Professional training and development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior