Systems Engineer - Hardware/Software Integration

Title:
Systems Engineer - Hardware/Software Integration

At KBR, we deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 85 countries and operations in over 28 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results.

Trinzic is the future independent company to be created through the planned spin-off of KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, expected in January 2027. Our people work at the frontier of what is possible, delivering solutions in challenging environments and advancing some of the world's highest-priority national security and space missions.

Backed by decades of mission success, deep expertise, and trusted partnerships, Trinzic will launch as a global organization with more than 18,000 employees supporting customers around the world. Join us at a defining moment and help shape the future of a company built to tackle complex challenges and make a meaningful impact.

Candidates who join KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business before the spin-off will transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete and will not need to reapply for employment.

Systems Engineer - Hardware/Software Integration

Position Overview

As a Systems Engineer focused on Hardware/Software Integration, you will support the design, development, integration, and testing of complex airborne and mission systems composed of diverse hardware, software, communications, sensing, and control components. Working in a collaborative small-team environment, you will partner closely with software engineers, researchers, and system architects to rapidly prototype, integrate, test, and mature advanced capabilities from concept through demonstration.

This role combines systems engineering with hands-on technical development and integration. You will contribute to software development in C/C++, evaluate and integrate hardware devices and interfaces, develop hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop test environments, and support experimentation activities that reduce technical risk and accelerate capability development.

Success in this role requires a strong understanding of system architectures, hardware/software interactions, integration and troubleshooting methodologies, and the ability to work effectively within complex, multidisciplinary engineering efforts. You will collaborate with software engineers, hardware engineers, test engineers, program leadership, and government customers to define requirements, integrate system components, identify and resolve technical issues, and transition prototype capabilities into operationally relevant solutions.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, integration, and testing of complex systems incorporating embedded hardware, sensors, communications devices, processing platforms, and software applications
• Develop and maintain system architectures, interface definitions, and technical documentation for hardware and software subsystems
• Collaborate closely with software engineers to develop, integrate, and test C/C++ applications supporting real-time and near real-time system functions
• Design, implement, and maintain hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), and system integration test environments
• Develop and integrate low-level software interfaces, middleware, drivers, and communication protocols supporting system functionality
• Evaluate, integrate, and troubleshoot hardware devices including sensors, radios, cameras, control systems, compute platforms, networking equipment, and mission-related subsystems
• Support laboratory, field, and flight-test activities including system setup, integration, experiment execution, data collection, and performance analysis
• Conduct system verification, validation, and performance characterization activities to ensure technical requirements are met
• Identify technical risks, integration challenges, and system deficiencies early in the development lifecycle and drive resolution activities
• Analyze system behavior and performance using experimental data, logs, telemetry, and engineering analysis tools
• Communicate technical findings, design recommendations, and test results to engineering teams, program leadership, and customers
• Collaborate across multiple disciplines to mature prototype capabilities into robust operational solutions
• Demonstrate technical ownership, initiative, accountability, and attention to mission success

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or related technical discipline
• Ability to obtain a secret security clearance
• 5+ years of experience in systems engineering, software engineering, integration engineering, embedded systems, robotics, autonomous systems, aerospace systems, or related fields
• Experience developing software using C and/or C++
• Experience integrating hardware and software systems in laboratory, field, or operational environments
• Understanding of software-hardware interfaces including networking, serial communications, Ethernet, USB, CAN, RS-232/422/485, I2C, SPI, GPIB, and similar protocols
• Familiarity with Linux-based development environments and software deployment processes
• Familiarity with CMake, GIT, and miscellaneous development frameworks, tools, etc.
• Familiarity with modeling, simulation, and mission analysis tools including AFSIM, MATLAB/Simulink
• Oscilloscope and logic analyzer familiarity
• Familiarity with standard SDKs for commercial drone controller platform
• Familiarity with Linux system calls
• Familiarity with MCU development
• Experience supporting integration, testing, troubleshooting, and verification activities for complex technical systems
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within cross-functional engineering teams
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Hands-on technical drive and accountability
• High motivation, creativity, and flexibility in a dynamic research and development environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or related technical discipline, or 3+ years of additional and pertinent experience
• Experience developing low-level software, hardware interfaces, device drivers, or embedded systems applications
• Experience with autonomous systems, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), robotics, aerospace systems, or mission systems development
• Experience designing or supporting hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), or digital engineering test environments
• Experience integrating sensors, cameras, radios, navigation systems, flight controllers, or other mission hardware
• Experience with Linux systems administration, scripting, and automation
• Proficiency with Python and modern C++ development practices
• Familiarity with real-time systems, distributed architectures, and multi-threaded software development
• Experience with networking technologies, tactical communications, telemetry systems, and data transport architectures
• Experience with laboratory, ground-test, and flight-test execution and data analysis
• Experience using Git, CI/CD pipelines, Agile development processes, and collaborative software engineering tools
• Experience supporting government research and development programs, rapid prototyping efforts, or advanced technology demonstrations

Work Environment

Location: Albuquerque, NM
Travel: Minimal
Schedule: Full-time | Hybrid
Clearance: Active DoD Secret or equivalent

Other 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 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.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're excited about making a significant impact in the field of space defense and working on projects that matter, we encourage you to apply and join our team at KBR. Let's shape the future together.

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.