Title:
Principal Software Engineer
KBR, is seeking a highly motivated Principal Software Engineer to join us in supporting our great nation, supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) development team in Colorado Springs, CO.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as the technical leader for software development efforts supporting high-velocity data stream processing systems
- Define software architecture, technical strategy, and long-term roadmap for mission-critical applications
- Analyze customer requirements and translate mission objectives into scalable system and software solutions
- Lead architecture reviews, design reviews, and technology evaluations
- Drive development of highly available, resilient, and high-performance software systems
- Establish software engineering standards, best practices, and technical governance across teams
- Lead complex integration, test, and deployment activities across multiple programs and stakeholders
- Evaluate vendor technologies, open-source solutions, and emerging technologies for program adoption
- Lead technical investigations, trade studies, and root-cause analyses for mission-critical issues
- Mentor engineers across all levels and provide technical leadership for multiple teams
- Coordinate planning, staffing, scheduling, and execution of software engineering activities
- Serve as a trusted technical advisor to program leadership, customers, and mission partners
Work Environment:
- Location: Colorado Springs, CO – 100% Onsite
- Travel Requirements: Minimal
- Working Hours: Standard
Required Qualifications:
- 10+ years of progressive software engineering experience
- Extensive experience designing and developing distributed, high-availability, mission-critical software systems
- Advanced expertise with Java, Python, or other object-oriented programming languages
- Demonstrated experience leading software architecture and technical strategy efforts
- Experience guiding engineering teams through the full software development lifecycle
- Experience developing complex data processing, integration, or real-time streaming systems
- Demonstrated success leading cross-functional engineering teams and large technical initiatives
- Strong communication skills with the ability to engage engineers, leadership, and customers
Required Education and Experience:
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret / SCI security clearance (U.S. citizenship required)
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical field
- 10+ years of progressive related experience
Desired Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Computer Science or related field
- Deep knowledge of MIL-STD-6016 and MIL-STD-3011
- Experience serving as a software architect, chief engineer, or technical lead across multiple projects
- Experience modernizing legacy systems and implementing technology roadmaps
- Expertise in TDD, CI/CD, DevSecOps, and Agile methodologies
- Security+ or higher DoD 8570/8140 certification
- Demonstrated ability to influence organizational technical direction and mentor engineering talent across multiple teams
Basic Compensation: $142,800 - $214,200 (For the Colorado Springs Area Only)
The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience 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.
