Lead Systems Engineer
Kbr· Defense· Sep 10, 2026 · 2mo ago
Huntsville, Alabama
In office
Full-time
Lead/Staff
$160K–$220K est.
20+ years exp
Job description
Title:
Lead Systems Engineer
Program Summary
KBR’s Missile, Aviation, and Ground Systems (MAGS) division delivers mission engineering solutions for critical U.S. Army programs, specializing in aviation and ground systems, integrated air and missile defense, and threat and target systems. As a trusted partner of the U.S. Department of War, MAGS provides innovative, technology-driven solutions to enhance national security. With a global presence and a strong ethical framework, KBR ensures secure, effective, and mission-ready capabilities worldwide.
Job Summary
KBR is seeking a highly accomplished Lead Systems Engineer to provide strategic technical leadership in support of the Fires Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE)-Fires mission. The Lead Systems Engineer will lead multidisciplinary engineering teams responsible for integrating weapons, sensors, launchers, command and control systems, and networks into cohesive, interoperable capabilities that are joint- and coalition-ready. The successful candidate will work closely with government leadership, industry partners, and technical staff to develop and deliver affordable, rapid, and effective solutions that address critical warfighter capability gaps. This position requires expertise spanning systems engineering, acquisition, mission engineering, systems integration, modeling and simulation, test and evaluation, and capability fielding.
The Lead Systems Engineer serves as a trusted advisor to senior government and military leaders, ensuring technical rigor, innovation, and engineering excellence throughout the lifecycle of Integrated Fires programs. The individual will be responsible for strategic technical planning, system architecture and design, hardware/software/network integration, verification and validation, risk management, and transition of capabilities to operational forces. The ideal candidate will be flexible, self-directed, team-oriented, and capable of managing ambiguity.
Key Responsibilities
Partner with the PAE-Fires Executive Leadership Team to define and lead strategic engineering initiatives that advance engineering tools, methodologies and digital engineering capabilities needed to accelerate delivery of warfighting capabilities.
Serve as a senior technical advisor to Government leadership on systems engineering, mission engineering, technology integration, and capability development strategies.
Develop and maintain long-range systems integration strategies, technology roadmaps, and engineering modernization initiatives.
Oversee system requirements, architecture evaluations, technology trade studies, and performance assessments to guide development paths.
Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, technical trends, and innovative solutions applicable to current and future Integrated Fires challenges.
Support and lead Analysis of Alternatives (AoAs), Courses of Action (CoAs), trade studies, engineering assessments, and performance analyses.
Conduct objective assessments of system performance, operational effectiveness, and mission outcomes through scenario development, modeling, simulation, and engineering analysis.
Lead systems engineering activities including requirements analysis, functional decomposition, architecture development, interface definition, requirements allocation, integration planning, and technical management.
Guide the development and implementation of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) solutions and ensure alignment with Government Reference Architectures and digital engineering strategies.
Assist the Government in translating mission objectives, operational needs, and customer requirements into system and capability requirements.
Effectively communicate technical findings, trade-offs, risks, and recommendations to senior Government and military decision-makers.
Provide engineering leadership and oversight throughout the system lifecycle, from requirements development through fielding and transition to operations.
Ensure the integrity, quality, completeness, and technical excellence of engineering products, analyses, recommendations, and deliverables.
Resolve complex technical issues, risks, and conflicts affecting program execution.
Participate in and lead technical design reviews, architecture reviews, engineering assessments, and study efforts as required.
Develop and support forward-looking proposals, demonstrations, prototypes, and experiments that advance Integrated Fires capabilities.
Foster an environment of critical thinking, innovation, technical rigor, and continuous improvement.
Lead, mentor, and oversee Senior, Mid, and Junior level Systems Engineers supporting the PAE-Fires portfolio.
Serve as a trusted technical resource for evaluating engineering concepts, approaches, and solutions proposed by staff and partners.
Promote participation in professional engineering organizations, technical committees, conferences, and industry forums.
Support strategic recruiting, workforce development, retention, and growth of highly qualified technical personnel.
Required Qualifications:
Active Top Secret/SCI (TS/SCI) security clearance with the ability to obtain a Poly required
20 years of technical experience
Master’s degree or higher in Systems Engineering or in related technical or scientific fields such as engineering, physics, mathematics, operations research, engineering management, or related STEM degree.
Broad systems engineering skills and background with experience in US Army and/or joint air and missile defense research, development, test, and operations
Travel 20%
Preferred Qualifications:
Certifications in systems engineering such as INCOSE ASEP, CSEP, ESEP.
Certifications in MBSE and demonstrated experience with MBSE, processes, tools and languages.
Experience with developing solutions for and working on DoD or Army programs.
Expert-level experience in system engineering of large complex System of Systems
Expert-level experience with systems engineering lifecycle
Experience interacting with senior government and military leaders at the O-6 level or equivalent and above
Experience in writing subsystem specifications and managing tasks to cross-discipline technical contributors
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.
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