Sr Lead Systems Engineer

Location: Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Maryland

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

Title:

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

KBR’s National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to customers across the Intelligence Community (IC) and national security enterprise. In this role, you will operate at the intersection of systems engineering, technical program leadership, and enterprise mission integration, supporting capabilities that have direct impact on national security outcomes.

Why Join Us?

Innovative Projects:
KBR’s work is at the forefront of engineering, mission IT, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and program integration across the IC and DoD.

Collaborative Environment:
Join a high-performing, multidisciplinary team that values collaboration, intellectual rigor, and trusted-advisor relationships with senior government stakeholders.

Impactful Work:
Your contributions will shape how mission-critical capabilities are conceived, evaluated, integrated, and delivered in some of the nation’s most complex operational environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic & Mission Planning:
  Support the evolution of sponsor strategy, priorities, and roadmaps by translating mission needs and operational gaps into actionable technical and programmatic options.
• Systems Engineering & Integration:
  Perform advanced systems engineering across the full lifecycle—requirements definition, architecture development, integration, assessment, and sustainment—ensuring performance, interoperability, cost, and schedule objectives are met.
• Performance & Portfolio Management:
  Develop and apply program and portfolio assessment methodologies to track cost, schedule, performance, and risk. Ensure strategic intent is effectively executed using best practices in business, mission, and operational analytics.
• Enterprise Architecture & Investments:
  Apply foundational knowledge of enterprise and mission architecture to support IC technical collection portfolios and investment alignment. Maintain awareness of IC and DoD technical investment strategies, performance targets, and dependencies.
• Decision Support & Strategic Foresight:
  Provide recommendations to senior sponsors, including proposed strategies and roadmaps; identification of capability gaps, risks, and dependencies; and analysis of funding and programmatic trade-offs.
• Business & Investment Analysis:
  Develop business cases, concepts of operations (CONOPS), schedules, and investment justification materials. Monitor trends and account for lifecycle costs, risks, and outcomes.
• Advisory & Liaison Role:
  Serve as a trusted liaison among IC program managers, DoD partners, and industry. Lead discussions on capabilities, services, and requirements, and communicate complex technical topics clearly to senior, non-technical audiences.
• Collaboration & Leadership:
  Assist government clients with program goals, schedules, reporting, and reviews. Provide technical direction, coordination, and mentoring across multi-disciplinary teams in fast-paced environments.

Work Environment

• Location: On-site
• Travel Requirements: Minimal (0–20%)
• Working Hours: Standard

Required Qualifications

• Clearance: Active TS/SCI with polygraph
• Education & Experience:
  • BS degree with at least 15 years of related experience.
  • Master’s degree preferred.
  • Doctorate in a technical domain may be considered
• Demonstrated experience in systems engineering, technical integration, and/or senior technical program leadership within IC or national security environments
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to produce high-quality written and briefing products for senior audiences
• Experience working across multiple organizations while managing competing, time-sensitive priorities
• Proficiency producing deliverables in multiple formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Acrobat, dashboards)
• Technical Expertise:
  • Expert knowledge of Artificial Intelligence concepts, applications, and implementation considerations
  • Expert understanding of data integration challenges and complexities
  • Ability to support architecture and design of AI strategies, implementation plans, and policies

Desired Qualifications

• Technical degree in Engineering or Science with practical, applied experience
• Broad experience working across the Intelligence Community with touchpoints to the DoD
• Experience supporting enterprise or portfolio-level governance and investment processes
• AI-related certification(s)

Basic Compensation

$189,300 - $284,000
This range is for the Maryland area only.

Compensation is based on candidate qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Additional Compensation

KBR may offer bonuses, relocation assistance, and short- or long-term incentives in accordance with internal policy or contractual designation.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re motivated to impact mission outcomes at scale and operate as a trusted engineer and advisor within the national security community, we encourage you to apply and join 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.