Lead Skytower Systems Engineer

Title:

Lead Skytower Systems Engineer

KBR’s Mission Engineering Division delivers complex technical solutions and expert support to the U.S. Department of Defense, specializing in modeling and simulation, cyber transformation, air vehicle mission integration, and lifecycle support. As a trusted partner with a proven history in mission technology, KBR collaborates closely with clients to develop innovative and effective solutions. With a strong ethical framework, KBR prioritizes data security, privacy, and responsible information management to ensure mission success.

KBR is seeking a motivated and experienced Lead Systems Engineer to manage the MQ‑9 SkyTower I and SkyTower II engineering efforts in support of a NAVAIR‑led U.S. Marine Corps MQ‑9 program. This position provides technical leadership for the design, integration, test, and fielding of airborne network extension and communications relay capabilities that are central to the Marine Corps’ distributed and expeditionary operations. The Lead SkyTower Systems Engineer serves as the technical authority and team lead for a team of approximately 8–10 systems and software engineers, coordinating across hardware, software, networking, and integration disciplines. The ideal candidate brings strong experience in software‑intensive systems, networked mission systems, and DoD acquisition programs, and thrives in a collaborative environment working directly with government engineers, operators, and industry partners. This position supports tasking at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Program Executive Office, Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO(U&W)), located in Patuxent River, MD. The selected candidate will provide technical leadership for the integration, testing, and sustainment of the SkyTower I and II on the MQ‑9 MUX MALE platform. Responsibilities include developing and managing requirements, planning and executing lab and flight tests, ensuring interoperability with other mission systems supporting engineering change proposals, analyzing technical risks, and recommending solutions to enhance SkyTower integration. There will also be close collaboration with program managers, engineers, test teams, and industry partners to ensure the SkyTower meets performance, safety, and certification standards.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Technical Leadership – SkyTower I & II: Serve as the Lead Systems Engineer for MQ‑9 SkyTower I and SkyTower II capabilities. Own system requirements, architecture, interfaces, and technical trade studies. Ensure SkyTower designs meet operational requirements for airborne network extension, relay, and gateway functions. Balance legacy capability sustainment (SkyTower I) with next‑generation development and integration (SkyTower II).
• Team Leadership & Execution: Lead and coordinate a team of 8–10 engineers across systems engineering, software integration, and test. Assign engineering tasks, manage priorities, and ensure technical deliverables meet cost, schedule, and performance goals. Mentor engineers and promote sound systems engineering practices.
• Systems Integration: Lead integration of SkyTower capabilities across: MQ‑9 air vehicle and pod interfaces. Mission Computing Environment (MCE), Common Control Environment (CCE) and Ground Control Stations, Tactical data links and joint networks. Support lab integration, ground test, flight test, and operational assessment activities. Develop airworthiness and certification artifacts, verify hardware interface documentation, and manage/verify test data to support program technical reviews. Curate technical data to support development of technical manuals (E.g., NATOPS/NATIP) and training/readiness artifacts to support fielding and sustainment.
• Customer & Program Engagement: Interface regularly with NAVAIR, PMA‑266 IPTs, and USMC stakeholders. Support technical interchange meetings, design reviews, and test readiness reviews. Identify and manage technical risks, dependencies, and integration challenges

Basic Qualifications:

• Must be a US Citizen.
• Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret/SCI.
• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline
• 10+ years of experience in systems engineering or software‑intensive defense programs
• Experience with networked mission systems, communications, or data‑link integration
• Prior experience leading engineering teams or serving as a technical lead
• Strong understanding of: Systems engineering lifecycle and V‑model execution. Requirements management and interface control. Software‑intensive system integration

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Engineering
• Certification in Systems Engineering
• Experience with NAVAIR Systems Engineering Technical Review (SETR) process.
• Familiarity with DoD aviation development, production, sustainment, and/or testing
• Knowledge of U.S. Government, DoD, and/or USN correspondence development practices, along with the ability to write formal engineering reports and construct briefing materials using MS Office tools (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Direct experience with MQ‑9, Predator‑class UAS, or similar Group 4/5 UAS platforms
• Familiarity with airborne gateway, relay, or network extension concepts:  NAVAIR, USMC, or USAF acquisition program experience with knowledge of: Open systems architectures (MOSA),  Modular payload integration, Agile/DevSecOps
• Prior experience supporting PMA‑266 or Marine Corps aviation programs
• Active TS/SCI or SCI‑eligible clearance

Compensation: $129,000-$194,000. 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.