Sr Lead Systems Engineer

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.