Title:
Chief Engineer (Top Secret)
KBR is searching for a highly skilled Chief Engineer to support development of first-of-kind operational space or space related missions for the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO). As the Chief Engineer, you will lead a small team of technical specialists and engineers through requirements development, design reviews, and provide technical oversight of fielding, testing, operations, and sustainment of large-scale optical systems. A successful candidate should be a leader and problem solver with a proven ability to deliver superior results as part of a high performing team in a high-profile, fast-paced environment. The candidate will apply advanced principles, theories, and concepts for highly classified systems, while also effectively communicating complex results with management and executive leadership.
In this position, you will provide System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) to the Space RCO at Kirtland AFB, NM. The Space RCO is one of three US Space Force acquisition organization and is the one specializing in delivering first-of systems to fill quick-turn needs to deliver operational capability to the USSF. For each project, Space RCO sets up small, agile and empowered teams, to include program manager, technical specialists, contracting, finance, security, and they use right acquisition strategies to set the effort up for success. You will work in one of these small, highly empowered teams where every team member is directly responsible for the success of the program.
Role and Responsibilities*

• Leads requirements development and decomposition, design reviews, interpretation, and analysis of technical solutions for complex optical systems.
• Leads technical programs, projects, or tasks whose technical complexity requires engineering oversight.
• Ensures completion of tasks within estimated time frames and budget constraints.
• Provides input to the government customer concerning risks to performance, schedule, and budget due to either proposed contractor plans or contractor's execution of accepted plans.
• Ensures the quality of the program, project, or task deliverables meet or exceed standards or metrics and assesses such deliverables to ensure that the final deliverables will meet the warfighting purpose for which they are intended.
• Plans and performs engineering research, design development, and other engineering assignments in conformance with the design, engineering, and customer specifications.
• Responsible for the overall technical/engineering portions of major projects or programs.
• Coordinates with multiple partners/agencies to ensure system engineering communities support delivery milestones.
• Tracks and advises design trades and associated cost, schedule, and technical impacts to requirements.
• Initiates, supervises, and/or develops requirements from a project's inception to conclusion for complex to extremely complex programs.
• Provides strategic advice, technical guidance and expertise to program and project staff.
• Provides detailed analysis, evaluation and recommendations for improvements, optimization development and/or maintenance efforts for client specific or mission critical challenges/issues.
• Leads studies and analyses of data to provide advice and recommend solutions.
• Communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy-oral and written.
• Other duties as required.

Required skills:

• Minimum fifteen (15) years DoD/IC, or relevant industry work experience.
• Previous experience as a Chief Engineer on an ACAT I/II-equivalent program.
• Experience in multiple engineering disciplines related to mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, optical systems, control systems, software, and astrodynamics.
• Experience in DoD program management including program development and transition.
• Experience with Integrated Master Schedules, and risk management.

Desired skills:

• Expert knowledge in development and fielding EO systems.
• System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) to Government program office.
• Experience with rapid prototyping and transition to operations.
• Experience leading a small team of highly capable technical and programmatic personnel.

Education:

• An applicable engineering or optics degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
• Relevant MA/MS/ME degree
• (Desired) PhD in physics, optical engineering, or optical sciences

Clearance:

• Active TOP SECRET clearance with sensitive compartmentalized information (SCI) and special access program (SAP) eligibility.
• No less than two (2) years total SAP and/or SCI environment experience and 1-year total within last 5 years.
• Candidate must maintain a TS/SCI clearance as a condition of employment and willingness to submit to a Counter-Intelligence polygraph.

Work Location & Travel:

• This position is full-time, on site at Kirtland AFB, NM and will require travel up to 25% of time within the continental United States.

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.