SATCOM Senior Systems Engineer (Modem)

Title:

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

KBRs National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security this position your work will have a profound impact on the countrys most critical role protecting our national security.

Why Join Us

• Innovative Projects:KBRs work is at the forefront of engineering logistics operations scienceprogram management mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.
• Collaborative Environment:Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.
• Impactful Work:Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense.

The Senior Wideband Anti-Jam Modem (WAM) Systems Engineer will serve as the programs senior technical authority for modem architecture waveform integration and anti-jam system performance supporting the government Lead Engineer. This role carries significant technical responsibility driving architectural conversations and implementation decisions establishing systems engineering standards requirements and representing the governments technical position to various vendors and other government organizations.

The WAM provides wideband protected SATCOM access with integrated anti-jam capability leveraging both the protected tactical waveform (PTW) and direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) frequency hopping and low probability of intercept and detection (LPI/LPD) waveform techniques to support reliable communications in contested and congested electromagnetic environments. The senior engineer will own the modem technical baseline requirements definition through design integration verification and fielding applying deep domain expertise in waveform theory and platform communications architecture.

This is a highly visible technically demanding role requiring the independent ability to evaluate complex modem and RF subsystem performance lead multi-disciplinary technical trades and provide technically credible oversight of vendor design and test execution. The ideal candidate brings extensive hands-on experience in protected waveform development spread spectrum system integration and DoD ACAT program leadership and is comfortable engaging senior Government leadership at Flag or SES level.

Lead the definition and maintenance of the WAM system technical baseline including modem hardware architecture waveform interface specifications anti-jam performance requirements and system-level performance objectives

Direct systems engineering execution across all program phases: requirements analysis and decomposition design oversight integration planning verification and operational test support

Evaluate the vendors technical position during formal Government design reviews TRRs SVRs and program management reviews including review of engineering analysis packages and compliance documentation

Evaluate and guide implementation of anti-jam waveform features including DSSS frequency hopping assessing performance against jam resistance LPI/LPD and operational link margin requirements

Lead link budget development jam-to-signal ratio analysis interference margin assessment and RF chain performance modeling for wideband anti-jam operational scenarios

Provide technical oversight of FPGA-based and SoC-based modem hardware implementation reviewing hardware/software partitioning decisions and DSP algorithm integration for waveform processing functions

Define and review system and interface specifications governing WAM integration into platform communications architectures including ICDs for RF IF networking and control plane interfaces

Lead technical risk identification and mitigation planning across waveform RF digital baseband and platform integration domains; brief risk posture and mitigation strategies to program leadership and Government customers

Serve as the primary technical representative for Government program offices; prepare and deliver senior leadership technical briefings to Flag-level and SES-level audiences

Mentor mid-level and junior systems engineers establish technical review processes and enforce program engineering standards consistent with the Engineering Management Plan (EMP)

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Systems Engineering Computer Engineering or a closely related technical discipline; Master of Science or Ph.D. preferred but not required

10 years of relevant systems engineering experience in defense communications programs with demonstrated technical depth in modem waveform or RF subsystem development

Demonstrated leadership of systems engineering teams or technical working groups on DoD acquisition programs including direct accountability for technical performance and schedule

Deep working knowledge of spread spectrum techniques including DSSS and frequency hopping and their application to anti-jam LPI/LPD operational requirements

Strong foundation in digital communications theory including modulation coding synchronization detection and interference analysis as applied to protected SATCOM systems

Experience leading or overseeing modem integration into platform communications architectures across RF IF baseband and network interface layers

Experience conducting link budget analysis jam-to-signal ratio analysis and Electronic Communication Counter Measures (ECCM) effectiveness assessment for protected wideband waveforms

Direct experience on FPGA or SoC-based modem development programs including review of hardware/software partitioning and DSP algorithm implementation

Experience leading or independently executing DoD acquisition design reviews (PDR CDR TRR) including preparation of contractor technical packages and compliance matrices

Experience preparing and delivering technical briefings to senior Government customers at O-6 equivalent or SES-level

Familiarity with ITAR and export control requirements governing protected communications systems and anti-jam waveform technologies

Preferred Qualifications:

Direct experience on WAM AC2 A3M or comparable anti-jam protected wideband modem or waveform development programs

Experience with MILSATCOM protected waveforms including EHF waveform Advanced EHF (AEHF) modem architectures or TRANSEC implementation

Experience interfacing with PEO Space NAVWAR or SMC program offices in a senior technical representative capacity

Experience with ECCM test and evaluation methodologies and interference vulnerability assessment in operationally representative environments

Experience reviewing or contributing to FPGA modem implementations in VHDL Verilog or equivalent HDL

Familiarity with JITC certification processes and associated test and evaluation requirements for protected Government communications systems

Work Environment:

• Location:San Diego CA or Newport RI
• Working Hours:40 hours per week
• Up to 25% travel required

Basic Compensation:

$140-160k

The offered rate will be based on the selected candidates knowledge skills abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.

Additional 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 a 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 youre 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. Lets shape the future together.

Belong Connect and Grow at KBR

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 teams 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.