Principal Software Engineer

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! 

KBR’s National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role – protecting our national security. 

Why Join Us? 

• Innovative Projects: KBR’s work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program 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. 

 Position Summary:

KBR is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Software Engineer to support the Air Force’s Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) Division.  The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise in Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management (C3BM) in the research and development phase. Knowledge of aerial and terrestrial networks, digital infrastructure, software development processes, and the ability to communicate technically complex topics in an easy-to-understand way. This role requires a strategic, solutions-focused professional with exceptional leadership, acquisition, and system integration capabilities.   

You will be responsible for providing expert-level technical advice directly to the Software and Applications Branch Lead Engineer. As such, you will be expected to understand all the details associated with the Branch’s software factory, its target digital infrastructure, and be able to provide advice on the specific technical approaches required to develop and deploy C3BM software applications across the DAF BATTLE NETWORK.    

This role will focus on enabling the Lead Engineer to maintain the technical baseline while enabling him to make cost, schedule and performance trades that attempt to balance sound software engineering practices, cybersecurity and architectural constraints.  In addition, you will provide technical advice to the various other ABMS product lines as they integrate applications delivered from your branch in their product lines, most especially those product lines which provide ABMS’ digital infrastructure capabilities.  Lastly, you’ll enforce the rigor required to field a combat ready product while maintaining an agile approach to satisfying user requirements. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Software Engineering Technical Advice: 

• Provide subject matter expert advice on digital infrastructure integration. 

• Utilize your understanding of agile/iterative software development principles to enable the product line’s lead system integrator to deliver C3BM software that meets operational user requirements. 

• Lead technical review of proposed software solutions and recommend improvements to ensure requirements, schedules, and quality standards are met. 

• Conduct trade studies which enable program leadership to best balance software engineering practices, cybersecurity and architectural constraints to meet user needs. 

• Support software engineering development for modernization programs including risk management, performance measurement, cycle-time reduction, and process improvement. 

• Support the creation, review, and updating of program documentation related to software engineering requirements. 

• Support OEM software assurance efforts involving program protection and cybersecurity. 

• Acquisition Lifecycle Support: 

• Provide extensive knowledge of modernization strategies, software engineering methodologies, digital infrastructure capabilities, and lifecycle procurement for C3BM software platforms and applications. 

• Assist in planning, organizing, and managing critical aspects of development, production, deployment, and sustainment for C3BM software applications. 

• Work with other program office functional personnel to address product support, cybersecurity, and affordability over the product’s lifecycle. 

• Training, Awareness & Collaboration: 

• Deliver expert-level support in integration, communication, coordination, and planning to enable software integration with multiple disparate hardware product lines. 

• Deliver training and awareness programs on Air Force-specific software engineering requirements for acquisition program office personnel. 

• Promote DEVSECOPS best practices across all assigned products, ensuring that program personnel understand and implement those practices within the assigned product line’s CI/CD pipeline. 

• Serve as a liaison between program office, user community and contractor personnel to ensure clear communication and adherence to product owner priorities. 

Work Environment: 

• Location: On-site (Hanscom AFB, MA) 

• Travel Requirements: Moderate, 20-40%  

• Working Hours: Standard – Core hours 0900 – 1500 

Qualifications: 

Required: 

• Education & Experience: 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related technical field. 

• 10+ years of experience in software engineering with a specific focus on Air Force acquisition programs or similar DoD systems. 

• Technical Expertise: 

• Demonstrated ability to deliver software applications that meet operational user requirements in an agile software development environment 

• Demonstrated ability to deliver software applications that meet the cybersecurity requirements necessary to achieve an authority to operate 

• Experience with cloud-based IaaS, PaaS and SaaS solutions in an Air Force or DoD context (e.g., AWS GovCloud, Azure Government). 

• Proficiency with the tools and technologies commonly used in DEVSECOPS efforts (e.g. GitLab, Docker, etc.). 

• Communication and Collaboration: 

• Proven ability to lead technical staff and manage complex modernization efforts 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts to program managers, contractors, and non-technical stakeholders. 

• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines within the DoD acquisition environment. 

• Ability to navigate the complexities of military contracting processes and collaborate with defense contractors to ensure compliance with Air Force requirements. 

• Clearance: 

• Top Secret, SCI Eligible (Position may require access to Special Access Programs) 

 Desired: 

• Demonstrated ability to work well independently or as a team member with geographically dispersed team members. 

• Demonstrated ability to drive projects to closure and to assimilate and correlate project information in a fast-paced environment. 

• Demonstrated ability to communicate with technical and non-technical project teams. 

• Familiarity with DoD and Air Force software engineering-related acquisition initiatives. 

• Experience evaluating software centric contract proposals. 

Certifications: 

• Highly Preferred: Agile Product Owner and/or Scrum Master 

• Preferred: DAWIA Engineering and Technology Management Practitioner  

Ready to Make a Difference? 

If you’re 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. Let's shape the future together.