Title:
Chief Engineer
At KBR, we deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 85 countries and operations in over 28 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results.
Trinzic is the future independent company to be created through the planned spin-off of KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, expected in January 2027. Our people work at the frontier of what is possible, delivering solutions in challenging environments and advancing some of the world's highest-priority national security and space missions.
Backed by decades of mission success, deep expertise, and trusted partnerships, Trinzic will launch as a global organization with more than 18,000 employees supporting customers around the world. Join us at a defining moment and help shape the future of a company built to tackle complex challenges and make a meaningful impact.
Candidates who join KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business before the spin-off will transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete and will not need to reapply for employment.
KBR is seeking a Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership across a diverse portfolio supporting naval aviation, mission systems, digital engineering, test and evaluation, and future operational capabilities. This position serves as the senior technical authority for the Mission Readiness Operating Unit, driving engineering excellence, technical governance, innovation, and solution development across multiple programs and strategic growth efforts. The ideal candidate is a proven engineering leader with extensive experience supporting Department of Defense customers, developing innovative technical solutions, and leading multidisciplinary engineering teams in complex operational environments.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Serve as the senior technical authority across the Mission Readiness Operating Unit, providing leadership and oversight for engineering strategy, standards, and technical execution. Establish and maintain engineering policies, processes, and best practices while promoting the consistent application of systems engineering, software engineering, digital engineering, mission engineering, and test and evaluation disciplines.
- Provide independent technical assessments and recommendations for major program decisions, strategic initiatives, and engineering investments. Advise business and technical leadership on emerging technologies, engineering capabilities, and technology roadmaps that support current and future customer needs.
- Lead technical governance activities, including engineering reviews, design assessments, risk evaluations, and quality assurance processes. Identify technical risks and develop mitigation strategies to improve program performance, engineering quality, and customer satisfaction.
- Support business growth initiatives by leading technical solution development for strategic pursuits and proposals. Collaborate with capture teams, program managers, subject matter experts, and leadership to develop innovative technical approaches, discriminators, and winning strategies. Participate in customer engagements, technical interchange meetings, industry events, proposal reviews, and architecture discussions.
- Promote collaboration and integration across multiple engineering portfolios, including air vehicle systems, mission integration, development and test, and mission supportability efforts. Identify opportunities to leverage reusable architectures, engineering assets, and technical frameworks across programs and customers.
- Lead the development and implementation of digital engineering strategies and capabilities, including Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), digital thread, digital twin technologies, and AI-enabled engineering processes. Guide technical aspects of Internal Research and Development (IRAD) efforts, prototype development, and emerging technology initiatives.
- Mentor and develop senior engineers, technical leaders, and future chief engineers. Support recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and professional development activities while fostering engineering communities of practice and technical excellence throughout the organization.
- Serve as a trusted technical advisor to government customers, industry partners, and engineering stakeholders. Represent KBR's engineering capabilities in technical working groups, architecture reviews, industry forums, and customer engagements.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
- Minimum 15 years of engineering and technical leadership experience supporting Department of Defense programs.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex technical programs and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Experience in one or more of the following areas: Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Test and Evaluation, Aviation Systems, Mission Systems, Digital Engineering
- Experience supporting business development, capture management, proposal development, and technical solutioning activities.
- Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence technical and business decisions across organizations.
- Active Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
- Professional Engineer (PE), INCOSE CSEP/ESEP, PMP, or similar professional certification.
- Experience supporting NAVAIR, NAWCAD, NSWC, NAVSEA, Fleet organizations, or other Navy customers.
- Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), digital engineering, digital twin technologies, and digital thread implementations.
- Experience with artificial intelligence, autonomy, electronic warfare, advanced mission systems, or emerging defense technologies.
- Experience developing technical strategies and roadmaps for complex defense programs.
Compensation: $206,000-$257,000. The salary range posted is based on the national average. 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.
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.
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.
