Defense Acquisition Program Management Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Title:

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.

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.

Position Summary:

KBR, Inc. is seeking a highly-experienced Defense Acquisition Subject Matter Expert (SME) to join our team at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Florida. The selected candidate will initially serve on a hand-picked team driving Acquisition Transformation across the Armament Directorate, leading organizational change initiatives to implement new Portfolio Acquisition Executive authorities by modernizing lifecycle management processes, deploying digital tools and data-driven dashboards, and refining governance structures. Subsequently, the candidate will provide strategic guidance to Materiel Leaders and Program Managers on acquisition strategy, resource allocation, risk management, and program execution.

Key Responsibilities:

Acquisition Transformation

• Working with senior leaders across the organization, drive the implementation of revised organizational, systems and operational processes required to implement Acquisition Transformation and new PAE authorities, providing the hands-on change management support necessary to ensure cross-functional adoption and long-term sustainability.
• Engineer, document, and deploy standardized acquisition workflows, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and playbooks to modernize lifecycle management across the Directorate.
• Facilitate cross-functional working groups to identify process inefficiencies, bridge organizational gaps, and refine governance structures across multiple teams.
• Partner with Directorate stakeholders to champion new digital tools and business rhythms, ensuring consistent communication and role clarity during periods of organizational change.
• Lead organizational change management activities, including stakeholder impact analysis and the development of engagement strategies to minimize resistance to new processes.
• Execute data fusion activities by aggregating disparate technical, financial, manufacturing, and contracting data streams into centralized digital environments to create a "single source of truth."
• Develop and maintain high-fidelity dashboards, scorecards, and predictive metrics that translate complex programmatic data into actionable decision-support products for senior leadership.
• Monitor the health of newly implemented processes, identifying opportunities for iterative refinement based on program performance and user feedback.
• Draft strategic communications materials, including executive-level messaging, talking points, and briefing decks that articulate transformation progress to senior Government leadership.

Acquisition Decision Support

• Provide SME-level Defense Acquisition Program Management, and Organizational operations decision support to Materiel Leader responsible for planning and executing high-priority Air Force and Joint-Service weapon acquisition programs
• Provide Senior-level guidance on strategy, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder communication to effectively navigate the Department of War Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and execution process for weapons systems programs
• Educate and directly provide advanced decision analysis to Materiel Leaders, Branch Chiefs, and Program Managers, including Program Management, execution, finance, and contracting
• Directly provide guidance and products required to execute weapon system acquisition programs as directed
• Provide SME-level materiel support to Senior leader discussions with industry counterparts
• Support cross-functional teams in all life-cycle phases, including research and development, manufacturing, and fielded product support
• Deliver SME-level policy analysis and education, ensuring Program Managers and leaders throughout the organization are apprised of new policies, regulations, and statutory requirements for means and methods affecting program design and execution
• Develop Acquisition Strategies to deliver weapon systems to meet US and Partner Nation warfighter requirements
• Coordinate frequently with Congressional staffs, Department of Defense, Air Force, and Navy staffs regarding requirements, budgets, and financial/contracting policy
• Develop and implement Program Management and Systems Engineering processes and data integration techniques to increase effectiveness and efficiency of SPO operations
• Provide contract strategies and designs for Procurement Contracting Officer consideration
• Assist in the development of system cost estimates through identification and phasing of work required to meet warfighter needs, developing and reviewing assumptions, and translating program needs to the cost estimation team
• Author and coordinate annual Selected Acquisition Reports (SAR), quarterly Defense Acquisition Executive Summary (DAES), and Monthly Activity Reports (MAR) reporting as required

Work Environment:

· Location: On-site (Eglin AFB, FL)

· Travel Requirements: Near term Low 0%; Long term moderate, 20%

· Working Hours: Standard – Core hours 0900 - 1500

Qualifications:

Required:

• Active DoD Secret clearance
• SAP eligibility (Counterintelligence Polygraph may be required)

• Bachelors Degree
• 10+ years experience executing the required tasks with 3+ years advising the leadership level, or serving in n ACAT I leadership position
• 5+ years experience in a System Program Office or on an Acquisition Directorate Staff
• Deep knowledge of the defense acquisition system and organizational processes required to execute within a program and at the Directorate level. Includes both organize, train and equip processes and program execution processes.
• Level III Defense Acquisition University certification
• Direct experience on ACAT I programs in the development or production phase
• Expertise managing large Defense Acquisition projects and improving processes
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, internal and customer facing
• Availability for ad-hoc and recurring customer and team meetings during core business hours. Position likely to have limited telework.

Desired:

• Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility
• Masters Degree in related field
• Former Senior Materiel Leader, Materiel Leader, Program Manager, or Deputy Program Manager of an ACAT I Defense Acquisition program with 15+ years experience
• Experience bringing Agile, Digital Engineering, or advanced data integration management techniques to bear on Defense Acquisition

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.