Junior Optical Engineer / Optical Physicist at KBR, Inc. in Kihei, HI

Title: Junior Optical Engineer / Optical Physicist

At KBR, we deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 85 countries and operations in over 28 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results.

Trinzic is the future independent company to be created through the planned spin-off of KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, expected in January 2027. Our people work at the frontier of what is possible, delivering solutions in challenging environments and advancing some of the world's highest-priority national security and space missions. 

Backed by decades of mission success, deep expertise, and trusted partnerships, Trinzic will launch as a global organization with more than 18,000 employees supporting customers around the world. Join us at a defining moment and help shape the future of a company built to tackle complex challenges and make a meaningful impact. 

Candidates who join KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business before the spin-off will transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete and will not need to reapply for employment.

At KBR, we deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 85 countries and operations in over 28 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results.

Trinzic is the future independent company to be created through the planned spin-off of KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, expected in January 2027. Our people work at the frontier of what is possible, delivering solutions in challenging environments and advancing some of the world's highest-priority national security and space missions. Backed by decades of mission success, deep expertise, and trusted partnerships, Trinzic will launch as a global organization with more than 18,000 employees supporting customers around the world. Join us at a defining moment and help shape the future of a company built to tackle complex challenges and make a meaningful impact.

Candidates who join KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business before the spin-off will transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete and will not need to reapply for employment.

KBR’s ASTRO (Advanced Space Technology Research and Optimization) contract provides mission equipment operations, maintenance, and upgrades to the USSF’s AMOS site in Maui, Hawaii. The AMOS site plays a vital role in national security by monitoring man-made objects in space and continuously developing next-generation capabilities to keep pace with the expanding space domain. This presents an incredible opportunity to push the boundaries of space and telescope technologies.

Position Overview:

KBR is seeking an enthusiastic junior Optical Engineer / Optical Physicist to support the ASTRO contract on Maui supporting the design, integration, analysis, testing, and operational support of advanced electro-optical systems, telescope assets, and mission-critical sensor technologies. The selected candidate will support design, sustainment and modernization of optical systems used for space domain awareness, satellite tracking, astronomical observations, and optical measurement missions.

This position requires a strong foundational background in mathematics and optics to support optical system design, alignment, performance characterization, adaptive and active optics, optical instrumentation, and telescope operations. The optical engineer will work closely with scientists, engineers, operators, and maintenance personnel to improve system performance, increase system availability, and support the integration of new technologies and sensors into existing observatory architectures.

The successful candidate will take a holistic systems-engineering approach to solving complex optical challenges, balancing mission requirements, operational constraints, and technical risk while ensuring exceptional customer support and mission success.

Key Responsibilities

· Support design, analysis, and optimization of optical systems, telescope subsystems, sensor architectures, and electro-optical instrumentation.

· Perform optical modeling, tolerance analysis, stray light analysis, image quality assessments, and performance evaluations for optical systems.

· Support the integration, alignment, calibration, and testing of telescopes, imaging sensors, laser systems, and associated optical hardware.

· Evaluate existing observatory and sensor performance and identify opportunities for modernization, enhancement, and risk reduction.

· Conduct optical performance assessments and develop solutions to improve sensitivity, resolution, tracking accuracy, and overall mission effectiveness.

· Perform laboratory and field testing of optical systems to validate performance requirements and operational readiness.

· Support anomaly investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective actions for optical and electro-mechanical system issues.

· Collaborate with interdisciplinary engineering teams in the areas of software, controls, mechanical, electrical, systems, and operations engineering.

· Develop technical specifications, interface requirements, test plans, design documentation, and operational procedures.

· Support the integration of new sensors, instruments, and mission capabilities into operational observatory environments.

· Develop and maintain system performance models and recommend improvements to enhance reliability and operational uptime.

· Remain current with emerging technologies and advancements in optical engineering, imaging systems, telescope technologies, and space surveillance capabilities.

Additional Duties

This position includes direct support to Government mission priorities through collaboration with operators, maintenance personnel, engineering teams, and external stakeholders. The Junior Optical Engineer / Optical Physicist will assist in defining requirements, evaluating technical solutions, and developing implementation plans to support evolving mission needs.

Responsibilities include supporting off-nominal operations, integrating advanced sensor technologies, assessing system readiness, identifying and mitigating technical risks, and ensuring customer satisfaction through responsive and innovative engineering solutions. The candidate will be expected to apply scientific rigor and engineering judgment to complex operational challenges while maintaining mission focus and technical excellence.

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Astronomy, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

· Minimum 1 year of experience supporting optical, electro-optical, astronomical, or space surveillance systems.

· Strong background in optical design, optical physics, imaging systems, and telescope instrumentation.

· Strong math skills and understanding of basic optics principles gained through a combination of formal study and job experience, with an emphasis on physical optics, geometric optics, instrumentation.

· Experience through formal study and job experience with optical alignment, calibration, and resting.

· Strong communication, organizational, and customer engagement skills.

· Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

· Master's or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Astronomy, or related discipline.

· Experience supporting observatory, telescope, remote sensing, or space domain awareness missions.

· Ability to perform engineering analyses and translate findings into operational solutions.

· Experience developing technical documentation, test plans, and engineering reports.

· Familiarity with systems engineering principles and lifecycle support activities.

· Experience with large-aperture telescopes, astronomical instrumentation, or space surveillance systems.

· Experience using Zemax, Code V, FRED, MATLAB, Python, or similar engineering and optical analysis tools.

· Knowledge of adaptive optics, wavefront sensing, image processing, and advanced sensor technologies.

· Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

Compensation range: 

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

Work Environment:

AMOS is a dynamic work environment, and this contract supports routine operations of and maintenance of telescope equipment, as well as the need to respond to real-world events. The primary work location is Haleakala with occasional work in Kihei offices. KBR supports schedule flexibility and alternative work schedules when compatible with meeting contract requirements. To the extent possible, schedules are forecasted in advance, but upgrades, maintenance or significant tests may require personnel to support non-traditional work schedules. Candidate must have effective verbal and written communication skills; must be able to adapt communication style to suit different audiences or facilitate group discussions; develop accurate written materials to communicate information clearly and concisely. 

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.

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.