Title:
Senior Principal Software Engineer – High Energy Laser Systems
Kord, a wholly owned subsidiary of KBR, is a leader in advanced defense solutions with a strong focus on Directed Energy and High Energy Laser (HEL) technologies. Our programs support the U.S. Department of Defense in the development, integration, testing, production, deployment, and sustainment of advanced laser weapon systems that provide critical warfighter capabilities. These complex systems require highly reliable, secure, and real-time software solutions to integrate weapon subsystems, command and control interfaces, safety functions, sensor processing, power management, and platform-level operations.
The Senior Principal Software Engineerwill provide technical leadership for the design, development, integration, testing, and deployment of software solutions supporting High Energy Laser weapon systems. This role will lead software engineers across multiple development efforts while serving as the principal technical authority for software architecture, implementation, integration, and software lifecycle execution.
The position will work closely with systems engineering, hardware engineering, controls engineering, test teams, cybersecurity personnel, program leadership, and customers to deliver high-performance software solutions that meet mission requirements. The successful candidate will possess a strong technical background in software development, software architecture, real-time systems, system integration, and leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Roles and Responsibilities
Define software architectures and technical approaches supporting weapon system operation, subsystem control, command and control interfaces, diagnostics, health monitoring, data management, and user interfaces.
Establish software development processes, coding standards, design practices, and technical baselines.
Oversee software requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, and deployment activities.
Lead software integration efforts involving sensors, laser subsystems, beam control systems, power systems, thermal management systems, safety systems, and external interfaces.
Guide development of embedded software, application software, middleware, and interface software as required by program needs.
Identify and resolve technical risks associated with software performance, reliability, cybersecurity, maintainability, and scalability.
Support hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL), software-in-the-loop (SWIL), laboratory integration, and field testing activities.
Develop technical plans, schedules, work estimates, and staffing plans supporting software execution.
Support customer briefings, technical reviews, proposal efforts, and business development activities.
Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
Minimum 8 years of software engineering experience with complex defense, aerospace, embedded, or mission-critical systems.
Proficiency in C++, C#, Python, Java, or other modern programming languages.
Experience integrating software with hardware devices, sensors, control systems, and external interfaces.
Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical field.
Experience supporting High Energy Laser, Directed Energy, weapon systems, air defense systems, missile systems, or other advanced defense platforms.
Experience integrating software with electro-optical, infrared, radar, tracking, or targeting systems.
Familiarity with beam control systems, laser safety systems, power management systems, and thermal management subsystems.
Understanding of DoD cybersecurity requirements, RMF, NIST standards, and secure software development practices.
Experience supporting system integration laboratories, field demonstrations, qualification testing, and operational evaluations.
Salary Range: $124,400.00 - $186,500.00
The salary range posted is based on Huntsville, AL. The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s location, knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or experience, contract affordability, and in consideration of internal parity.
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.
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.
