Lead DAAS Systems Engineer

Title:
Lead DAAS 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 highly experienced Lead DAAS (Detect and Avoid System) Systems Engineer to lead the MQ-9 DAAS engineering effort in support of a NAVAIR-led U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9 Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Expeditionary (MUX) Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) program. This position represents a senior technical leadership role with responsibility for defining, integrating, and delivering airspace integration and safety capabilities critical to MQ-9 operations in shared and non-segregated airspace. The selected candidate will serve as the technical authority and organizational lead for a large, multidisciplinary engineering team of more than 25 engineers, spanning systems engineering, software, integration, test, and certification disciplines. This role reports directly to the PMA-266 Chief Engineer and plays a key role in program-level technical decision-making, risk management, and customer engagement. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in detect-and-avoid / sense-and-avoid systems, aviation safety, and software-intensive unmanned aircraft systems, combined with demonstrated success leading large engineering teams on complex DoD acquisition programs. This role is well-suited for a senior systems engineer who thrives in high-visibility leadership positions and is motivated by delivering mission-critical capabilities that enable safe and flexible MQ-9 operations for 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. The selected candidate will provide technical leadership for the integration, testing, and sustainment of the Detect and Avoid System (DAAS) on the MQ-9 MUX MALE platform. Responsibilities include developing and managing requirements, planning and managing the execution of lab and flight tests, ensuring interoperability with other mission systems supporting engineering change proposals, analyzing technical risks, and recommending solutions to enhance DAAS integration. There will also be close collaboration with program managers, engineers, test teams, and industry partners to ensure the DAAS meets performance, safety, and certification standards.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Technical Authority - DAAS Capability: Serve as the Lead Systems Engineer for the MQ-9 Detect and Avoid System (DAAS) across the full lifecycle. Own DAAS system architecture, requirements allocation, interfaces, and technical trade studies. Ensure DAAS design supports: Safe operation in shared civil and military airspace & Compliance with FAA, DoD, and host-nation airspace requirements. Provide authoritative technical guidance across collision avoidance logic, sensor integration, pilot-in-the-loop concepts, and system performance
• Engineering Leadership & Team Management: Lead and coordinate a team of 25+ engineers across multiple IPTs and functional disciplines. Set technical direction, assign priorities, and ensure execution against cost, schedule, and performance objectives. Mentor senior and mid-level engineers and develop future technical leaders. Support workforce planning, staffing strategies, and technical skill development.
• System-of-Systems Integration: Lead DAAS integration across: Onboard aircraft sensors and mission systems. Mission Computing Environment (MCE). Common Control Environment (CCE) and Ground Control Stations. Command, control, and data-link infrastructure. Oversee system integration lab (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), flight test, and operational assessment activities. Ensure DAAS functionality is properly displayed, alerted, and acted upon by remote aircrew.
• Program & Chief Engineer Support: Report directly to the PMA-266 Chief Engineer and provide regular technical status, risk, and recommendation briefings. Represent the DAAS effort at: Technical interchange meetings (TIMs), Design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR), Test readiness and airworthiness reviews. Contribute to program-level technical governance, ECP development, and capability roadmaps
• Program & Customer Engagement: Interface regularly with: NAVAIR engineering IPTs, USMC operational users, Prime contractors and subcontractors.
• May take on supervisory role within KBR managing up to ten employees

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, Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline
• 12+ years of experience in systems engineering or software-intensive defense programs
• Hands-on experience with unmanned systems, ground control stations, or avionics control software
• Significant experience with DAAS / Sense-and-Avoid, airspace integration, or aviation safety-critical systems
• Demonstrated experience leading large engineering teams (15+ personnel) on DoD acquisition programs
• Strong background in: Requirements management and traceability, Interface definition and control, Software-intensive and safety-critical systems, Verification, validation, and certification processes

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
• NAVAIR, USMC, or USAF acquisition program experience and familiarity with: FAA UAS airspace integration, concepts, Open systems architectures (MOSA), Agile / DevSecOps in safety-critical environments
• Experience in a Chief Engineer-facing or program-level technical leadership role
• Prior experience supporting PMA-266 or Marine Corps aviation programs
• Active TS/SCI or SCI-eligible clearance

Compensation: $181,000K-$215,000K. 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.