Sr RF Systems Engineer
- TS/SCI clearance
How this pay compares
This posting states $183k–$274k a year. Open RF engineer jobs in Virginia post a median of $185k a year, the middle half $159k–$205k, across 13 jobs that state their pay, so this one is above the middle half of what they post.
RF and communications engineers in Virginia: pay by town and employer
About the job
## Title Sr RF Systems 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.
We are seeking a Senior Communications Systems Engineer to provide systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) services to our government customer. This position supports space and ground communication networks for multiple satellite systems, that are currently in development and in orbit.
It provides subject matter expertise to an evolving communications infrastructure and requires close collaboration with developers and a cross-domain team.
Responsibilities include supporting interface development, providing technical support to the communications architecture, and assisting with ongoing operations and anomaly resolution. ## 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. ## Key Responsibilities - Evaluate enterprise-level architecture designs and program integration solutions and provide recommendations. - Attend Enterprise, System, Subsystem and Segment level design reviews and program management reviews; assess design maturity, requirements compliance and provide informed technical recommendations. - Perform independent reviews of contractor communication designs to verify satisfaction of mission needs (Requirements, CONOPs, constraints, etc). - Prepare and Review test plans and procedures and verification and validation plans for completeness and accuracy.
Ensure compliance and provide feedback. - Monitor enterprise and system test and review verification/validation data. - Monitor contractor level risks and track mitigation progress. - Proactively identify and assess emerging technical and programmatic risks to the Program Office and recommend mitigation approaches. - Develop productive relationships with Contractor counterparts, functional counterparts, and other subject matter experts. - Provide SETA support in the design, development, and testing of RF (Ka, Ku, S, etc) and laser communication systems. - Demonstrates expertise and/or familiarity of: Space-to-space, space-to-ground, and ground-to-ground communication networks - Mesh architecture - Internet Protocols - International Telecommunications Union (ITU) frequency allocation rules - Cryptography implementation and Information Assurance accreditation ## Basic Compensation $183,000 - $274,000 USD annually The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity. ## Work Environment - Location: On-site - Travel Requirements: Minimal - Working Hours: Standard ## Required Qualifications - Active TS/SCI with current Polygraph - Bachelor's degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or related discipline with 15 years related experience; Master’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or related discipline 12+ years related experience; PhD and 9 years’ experience. - Excellent interpersonal, leadership, programmatic, and problem-solving skills. - Strong briefing and writing skills. - Demonstrated ability to be effective in a fast-paced, dynamic and energetic environment. - Familiarity with defense and intelligence acquisition, budget planning and contracting. - RF and laser communication expertise and/or familiarity ## 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.
From KBR's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
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About KBR
KBR's space work: NASA human spaceflight support at Johnson Space Center, Stennis Space Center operations and space systems engineering for the Space Force.
Pay on its listings: 70.4% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an employee on KBR's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
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