Lead Systems Engineer

Title:
Lead Systems Engineer

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 experienced Lead Systems Engineer to lead the MQ-9 Common Control Environment (CCE) engineering team supporting a NAVAIR-led U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9 program. In this role, you will serve as the technical authority and team lead for a group of approximatelynd certification of ground control station (GCS) control software and associated capabilities.

The ideal candidate brings strong experience with unmanned aircraft control systems, software-intensive systems engineering, and DoD acquisition programs, along with a passion for mentoring engineers and shaping technically sound, operationally relevant solutions. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with government engineers and program leadership, influence system architecture and technical decisions, and see your work directly impact fleet operations. Candidates who thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and are eager to deliver innovative, mission-critical capabilities to the warfighter will find this role both challenging and highly rewarding. 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. The selected candidate will provide technical leadership for the integration, testing, and sustainment of the Common Control Environment (CCE) on the MQ-9 MUX MALE platform. Responsibilities include developing and managing requirements, planning and executing lab and flight tests, ensuring interoperability with other mission systems supporting engineering change proposals, analyzing technical risks, and recommending solutions to enhance CCE integration. There will also be close collaboration with program managers, engineers, test teams, and industry partners to ensure the CCE meets performance, safety, and certification standards.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Technical Leadership: Act as the Lead Systems Engineer for MQ-9 CCE (Common Control Environment) capabilities supporting Marine Corps operations. Own system-level requirements flowdown, architecture, interfaces, and technical trade studies for CCE-related efforts. Serve as the technical point of contact to NAVAIR, USMC stakeholders, and platform integrators. Ensure alignment between CCE, GCS hardware, mission systems, data links, and aircraft interfaces
• Team Leadership & Execution: Lead, mentor, and guide a team of 10 engineers (systems, software, integration, and test). Assign work, manage priorities, and ensure engineering deliverables meet schedule, cost, and quality objectives. Provide technical direction, code/architecture reviews, and systems engineering rigor. Support recruiting, onboarding, and professional development of engineering staff.
• Systems Engineering & Integration: Lead systems engineering activities across the full lifecycle: Requirements analysis and allocation, Architecture development, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Verification & Validation (V&V). Integrate CCE functionality with: Block 30 Ground Control Stations, Communications and data-link systems, Mission planning and sensor control elements. Support lab integration, SIL/HIL testing, flight test, and operational evaluation activities, Develop airworthiness and certification artifacts, verify hardware interface documentation, and manage/verify test data to support program technical reviews. Curate technical data to support development of technical manuals (E.g., NATOPS/NATIP) and training/readiness artifacts to support fielding and sustainment.
• Program & Customer Engagement: Interface regularly with: NAVAIR engineering IPTs, USMC operational users, Prime contractors and subcontractors. Support design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR), test readiness reviews, and program technical interchange meetings. Contribute to risk management, technical decision-making, and customer briefings

Basic Qualifications:

• Must be a US Citizen.
• Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret/SCI.
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline
• 10+ years of experience in systems engineering or software-intensive defense programs
• Hands-on experience with unmanned systems, ground control stations, or avionics control software
• Prior experience leading engineering teams (technical lead, IPT lead, or manager)
• Strong understanding of: Requirements management (DOORS or equivalent), Interface definition and control, V-model systems engineering practices

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Engineering
• 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).
• Direct experience with MQ-9, Predator-class UAS, or similar Group 4/5 UAS platforms
• Familiarity with Common Control Environment (CCE) or equivalent UAS control software
• NAVAIR, USMC, or USAF acquisition program experience with knowledge of: Open systems architectures (MOSA), Agile/DevSecOps
• Prior experience supporting PMA-266 or Marine Corps aviation programs
• Active TS/SCI or SCI-eligible clearance

Compensation: $129,000-$194,000. 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 a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

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