Chief Engineer

Chief Engineer

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

Around here, we define the future.

We are a company of innovators, thinkers, creators, explorers, volunteers, and dreamers. But we all share one goal: to improve the world responsibly and safely.

On the Human Health and Performance Contract 2 (HHPC2) we are at the forefront of safeguarding astronaut health, ensuring human performance, and advancing technologies for human space exploration. We are seeking a Chief Engineer for the HHPC2 Engineering Department at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, TX.

What You'll Do:

In this role, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the department's efficiency, directly influencing how flight hardware projects are executed and how team members are supported to achieve organizational goals. You will support the engineering staff in the analysis, investigation, and resolution of routine, complex, and emergent engineering issues. You will provide technical guidance for interface between project teams and NASA technical teams.

You will:

• Serve as the primary technical advisor to the Engineering Department leveraging your technical knowledge and experiences to drive flight hardware projects to successful outcomes
• Develop and modify engineering processes in coordination with the Department Manager, Deputy Department Manager for Flight Hardware, and Functional Managers
• Collaborate with Flight Hardware Discipline Leads for development and administration of training to ensure consistency of technical training across the Flight Hardware teams
• Train/coach best practices for fully informed decision making and mentor Flight Hardware project technical teams, particularly in areas of cross-functional training, development and application of lessons learned, and execution of engineering lifecycle per EA-023 and SA-WI-014
• Identify and resolve technical conflicts/synergies between engineering teams
• Support HHPC2 and Engineering Department strategic planning and business development opportunities
• Lead flight hardware readiness, risk evaluation, and technical disposition activities, including chairing Test Readiness Reviews, advising technical risk decisions and providing final approval of waivers, deviations and nonconformances
• Identify investments in engineering infrastructure which align with strategic objectives of the customer base
• Support corrective and preventive actions, closure actions, and implementation of lessons learned and best practices from contract performance evaluations and other outcomes affecting the Engineering Department
• Guide root cause, resolution, and systems updates for the Engineering Department to prevent repeat occurrences

What You Bring:

You have a strong foundation in systems thinking rooted in NASA systems engineering principles. You anticipate upstream and downstream impacts and guide teams toward integrated, risk-informed decisions. You understand how complex elements interact and translate this understanding to audiences at all levels. You use extensive experience in flight hardware development and design, mentoring engineers from disparate disciplines, root cause analysis, continuous improvement initiatives, and collaboration with peer managers. You bring mature, professional judgment and experience to plan and accomplish goals. You comply with KBR's Safety, Health and Environmental Plan, Quality Plan, and all safety policies and procedures, and complete all assigned training.

Your Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or in a related field
• 17+ years of applicable professional experience, minimum 10 years in hardware development, experience support NASA flight hardware projects highly preferred
• Familiarity with NASA contracts and processes desired

Your Skills:

• Demonstrated experience working projects in accordance with EA-023, Project Management for the Engineering Directorate and/or SA-WI-014, Project Management of Flight Hardware Developments
• Demonstrated experience with engineering project management, development, design and execution under the Human and Health Performance Contract 2 is highly desirable
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, including the ability to clearly express technical concepts in verbal and written forms; ability to tailor conversations to adapt to technical vs. non-technical audiences
• Familiarity with project management and system engineering practices
• Demonstrated engineering leadership with strong communication, mentoring ability, adaptability, and a proven commitment to safety, quality, and effective collaboration across complex technical projects
• Experience with performing root cause analysis and implementing corrective and preventive actions for systemic issues
• Familiarity with Lean and Six Sigma concepts

What to Expect

This position is expected to be 100% on site

Why 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 an 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 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.

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.