Space Acquisition PEM Support Analyst

Title:

Space Acquisition PEM Support Analyst

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.

Key Responsibilities:

KBR is seeking a highly qualified, self-starting Space Acquisition Program Element Monitor (PEM) Support Analyst dedicated to the Missile Warning & Tracking (MW&T) and Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next Gen OPIR) enterprise.This role serves as a key acquisition, programmatic, and technical bridge between the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration (SAF/SQ) at the Pentagon and the program execution offices within Space Systems Command (SSC) Space Sensing Directorate (SSC/SYD84).The incumbent directly supports SAF/SQ in executing its oversight responsibilities as the Space Service Acquisition Executive (SAE), collaborating with the Chief of Space Operations (CSO), USSF Staff, and SSC leadership. The analyst will monitor program health, develop integrated program baselines, guide budget justification materials, and ensure alignment across four core Next Gen OPIR branches: 
Next Gen OPIR Integration (SSC/SYD84/S9_10 / SYD84/CC/S9)
Space Modernization Initiative (SMI) (SSC/SYD84/S9 / S9_10)
Block 0 GEO (SSC/SYD84/MW / MWG)
Block 0 Polar (SSC/SYD84/MW / MWP)

Key Duties & Responsibilities (Day-to-Day)Working independently or as part of a high-tempo multi-disciplinary team, the candidate will:Portfolio Monitoring & Decision Point Analysis: Deliver independent, objective evaluations of Next Gen OPIR Block 0 GEO, Block 0 Polar, SMI, and Integration efforts approaching major acquisition milestones and technical interchange meetings. PPBE & Budget Formulation: Support SAF/SQ PEMs in formulating, defending, and tracking Program Element (PE) budget submissions, Justification Books (J-Books), Congressional Staffer Briefings (CSBs), and appeals for MW&T programs. POM Compliance & Strategy Alignment: Assess program alignment against the Defense Planning Guidance (DPG), Space Program Assessments, the Three-Star Programmer’s Review, and Defense Management Action Group (DMAG) deliverables. System-of-Systems Integration: Coordinate with SSC/SYD84/S9_10 and MW branches to ensure synchronization among space vehicle manufacturing, sensor payload development, ground tracking/processing architectures, and auxiliary sensor insertion. Modernization & Transition (SMI): Evaluate Space Modernization Initiative (SMI) technology maturation efforts to ensure rapid, cost-effective transition into operational MW&T baselines. Policy & Capability Assessment: Analyze national, DoD, Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), and commercial developments impacting space sensing capabilities, assessing cross-domain resilience (cyber, terrestrial, maritime, and air integration).Executive Communication & Secretariat Support: Draft executive-level point papers, background briefs, talking points, and decision packages for SAF/SQ leadership, the CSO, and Congress.

The Space Acquisition Analyst will primarily support SAF/SQ. Working independently, or as part of a diverse multi-disciplined team, the candidate will:
• Provide impartial assessments of programs approaching key decision points as well as prime Contractor technical and operational issues.
• Review and provide recommendations on existing and proposed Space Force acquisition and capability area policies and implementation.
• Review and evaluate the impact of national, DoD, JCS, and civil government policies and activities that affect Space Force acquisition programs and capability areas.
• Develop and maintain an integrated baseline to capture the architecture, performance, utility, costs, and milestones associated with programs (operational, in development, and future).
• Analyze system level and system-of-systems level requirements, needs, and capabilities.
• Explore opportunities for integration, as well as for migrating into the NSS enterprise new and emerging technologies, concepts, research, and development efforts from DoD, IC, civil, and commercial sources.
• Identify integration opportunities across the NSS enterprise including the integration of space with non-space (cyber, terrestrial, maritime, and air) capabilities.
• Collaborate with external systems engineering organizations.
• Provide technical and acquisition support to communicate critical information, such as senior leader decision forums, annual planning guidance, and the results of periodic portfolio reviews to support decisions affecting future space and space-related systems and capabilities.
• Provide the required expertise in planning, programming, budget, and execution to ensure SAF/SQ’s program and budget submissions correlate with existing plans, policy, guidance, and architectural decisions. 
• Support the assessment of the DoD program/budget submissions to develop Space Program Assessments and evaluate service POM compliance with policy intent. 
• Provide assessments to SAF/SQ and advise the Three-Star Programmer’s Review and Defense Management Action Group (DMAG) on 
• Assist the SAF/SQ in assessing NSS programs for capability gaps and overlaps and formulating recommendations to support NSS decision makers.
• Any other tasks closely associated with the performance of duties listed above.


 
   

Work Environment:

• Location: On-site, Pentagon

• Travel Requirements: Minimal 0-20% to NCR region

• Working Hours: Standard

Qualifications:

Required:

• Active Top Secret security clearance with current SCI eligibility.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in engineering, space operations, physics, business, finance, or a related technical/analytical field.

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in space operations, national security space acquisition, or related defense space programs.

• Direct experience working within a military service headquarters staff (e.g., SAF/SQ, HQ USSF, Air Staff, OSD, or Joint Staff).

• Domain Knowledge: Thorough understanding of Defense Space and National Security Space architectures, acquisition strategies, requirements generation (JCIDS), and operations.

• Acquisition Competency: Working familiarity with the DoD 5000 series, Middle Tier of Acquisition (Section 804), and PPBE processes.

• Core Skills: Exemplary oral and written communication skills; proficiency in synthesizing complex technical sensor and program data into clear executive narratives.

Desired:

• Direct background or familiarity with Missile Warning / Missile Tracking / Missile Defense architectures (e.g., SBIRS, Next Gen OPIR, Resilient MW/MT, Tracking Layer).

• Familiarity with the organizational construct and operations of Space Systems Command (SSC/SYD84), including MWG (GEO), MWP (Polar), and S9/S10 (Integration & SMI).

• Experience formulating or defending Program Objective Memorandum (POM) builds and preparing Space Program Element budget documentation.

• Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace, National Security Studies, or MBA.

• DAWIA or Defense Acquisition credentialing in Program Management, Engineering, or Financial Management.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40hrs

Basic Compensation:

The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.

For Virginia, the compensation will be $170,000K-$185,000K.

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 sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short term incentives, long term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

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.

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.