Image Processing Engineer

Title:

Image Processing 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.

Join us at the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center and help shape the future of Earth science data systems. As part of our mission-driven team, you'll contribute to projects that make a global impact, supporting research, innovation, and technology that empower scientists and decision-makers worldwide.

Position Overview

KBR is seeking an Image Processing Engineer in Sioux Falls, SD, to support the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. This is a full-time, onsite position requiring consistent, in-person collaboration with team members, scientists, and mission partners.

In partnership with NASA and the Landsat project, this position supports Landsat product generation, which processes satellite imagery used by scientists, researchers, government agencies, and organizations around the world. You will develop and optimize high-performance image processing applications that support operational satellite data processing and future Earth observation initiatives.

Why You'll Love This Role

• Contribute to meaningful, mission-critical Earth science initiatives
• Develop software supporting one of the world's longest-running satellite programs
• Work alongside experienced engineers and scientists who value innovation
• Apply advanced software engineering techniques to large-scale image processing systems
• Solve complex performance and scalability challenges
• Work with modern cloud technologies and scientific data-processing platforms

Core Responsibilities

As a Image Processing Engineer, you will independently execute engineering tasks and contribute throughout the software development lifecycle.

• Design, develop, and maintain image-processing software components
• Develop software primarily in C, with supporting development in Python
• Optimize algorithms and processing workflows to reduce runtime and improve processing throughput
• Design and maintain applications that write to and query relational databases
• Develop solutions that ingest, process, and distribute large volumes of satellite imagery and derived products
• Support cloud-based image-processing architectures and workflows
• Perform software planning, requirements refinement, and technical design activities
• Develop, execute, and document unit and integration tests
• Troubleshoot operational processing issues and implement corrective actions
• Participate in code reviews, design reviews, and technical discussions
• Collaborate closely with Systems Engineers, Software Engineers, Scientists, and mission stakeholders

Education & Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical discipline.

Experience

• Seven or more years of professional software engineering experience
• Experience developing software in C within Linux/Unix environments
• Experience working with data-intensive processing systems
• Experience supporting cloud computing environments
• Experience interfacing with relational database systems

Required Skills

• Strong proficiency in C programming
• Working knowledge of Python
• Experience writing software that interfaces with databases
• Relational database experience
• Linux/Unix expertise
• Experience improving software performance and decreasing processing runtime
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycle practices
• Experience with Git-based source control management
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a highly skilled technical team

Desired Skills

• Digital image processing experience
• Remote sensing or Earth observation experience
• Scientific computing experience
• Cloud-native processing architectures
• AWS cloud services experience
• Postgres database experience
• Satellite ground-system experience
• Mathematics, physics, or related scientific background
• Experience with AI-assisted software development and documentation tools

Special Requirements

• Three years of continuous residency in the United States for issuance of a Government Security credential
• Ability to obtain and maintain a national agency check and background investigation for facility access

Experience and/or Education in lieu of these qualifications will be reviewed for applicability to meet these requirements.

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.​ 

Click here to learn more:  KBR Benefits | KBR 

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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.