Account Director, Surface Warfare

Title:
Account Director, Surface Warfare

KBR's Mission Engineering Division partners with the U.S. Navy and Joint Forces to address their most complex and time-sensitive operational challenges. Our teams integrate mission engineering, systems engineering, and digital transformation to accelerate the delivery of decisive capabilities that strengthen the Nation's defense posture.

Through our focused collaboration with NSWC Dahlgren Division, we align with the Division's strategic vision and evolving mission priorities to advance innovation and technology transition across critical domains. By working closely with the Potomac Tech Bridge, the University of Mary Washington - Dahlgren Campus, and regional industry and academic partners, we help connect the region's innovation ecosystem with KBR's global engineering and integration expertise - turning emerging technologies into operational advantage.

The Account Director, Surface Warfare , will play a pivotal role in driving strategic growth and mission alignment for KBR's Mission Engineering Division, leading engagement and capture efforts focused on NSWC Dahlgren Division and its surrounding innovation ecosystem. This leader will identify, shape, and secure new business opportunities; develop and execute integrated account strategies; and expand KBR's footprint across Dahlgren's systems-engineering, digital-integration, and technology-transition initiatives. Serving as a trusted connector and advocate, the Account Director, Surface Warfare, will link Dahlgren's mission needs with KBR's capabilities in systems engineering, software integration, and mission technology innovation. Success in this role requires close collaboration with NSWC Dahlgren leadership, the Potomac Tech Bridge, regional industry and academic partners, and internal KBR technical and capture teams to deliver timely, mission-ready solutions that advance the Navy's and Joint Force's operational advantage. This position requires a minimum of 25 % travel.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Serve as the voice of the customer : Act as the primary liaison between NSWC Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) and KBR's internal teams, ensuring Dahlgren's mission needs and priorities are fully represented in KBR's engineering and capture strategies.
• Engage the regional innovation ecosystem : Build and sustain relationships with organizations that drive Dahlgren's innovation mission - including the Potomac Tech Bridge, the University of Mary Washington - Dahlgren Campus, and regional industry and academic partners - to strengthen collaboration and accelerate technology transition.
• Shape and capture opportunities : Identify, shape, and pursue opportunities under Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) such as the Naval Surface Technology & Innovation Consortium (NSTIC), and engage NSWCDD CSO/OTA pathways as part of prototype-to-transition workflows, as well as through traditional NAVSEA contracting authorities.
• Promote innovation and prototyping : Support the development of white papers, CSOs, and technology demonstrations that advance KBR's role as a rapid problem-solving partner to Dahlgren.
• Maintain an internal engagement plan : Track leadership changes, organizational shifts, and department-level focus areas across Dahlgren's technical departments; ensure contact management, visit schedules, and engagement reporting are current.
• Engage NSWC Dahlgren leadership : Proactively engage senior leaders to validate priorities, refine problem statements, and shape opportunities aligned to the Division's evolving needs.
• Coordinate KBR internal alignment : Translate NSWCDD guidance into actionable strategies - synchronizing KBR's investments, R&D activities, and technical capabilities with capture and delivery plans.
• Develop and execute account strategy : Create customer-specific plans that integrate business development, engineering, and operations to deliver a consistent message and measurable results.
• Lead market awareness efforts : Coordinate with industry and consortium members to gather insight on upcoming acquisition strategies, program timing, and contracting pathways.
• Assess customer trends : Provide senior leadership with 3-5-year horizon analysis on customer direction, technology priorities, and partnership opportunities to inform capture campaigns.
• Monitor and strengthen performance : Conduct customer assessments on current contract and task performance, ensuring internal teams maintain responsiveness, quality, and customer trust.
• Achieve measurable outcomes : Drive growth in pipeline quality, awards, and partnerships that advance KBR's NSWCDD account objectives and Mission Engineering Division growth targets.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical, business, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience supporting the Department of Defense or U.S. Navy; direct experience with NSWC Dahlgren Division or other NSWC Divisions strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of government acquisition processes, OTAs, CSOs, and NAVSEA contracting authorities.
• Proven ability to build and sustain relationships with government, industry, and academic partners across complex organizations.
• Familiarity with federal budget, investment, and technology-transition processes that shape Dahlgren's innovation and research, development and acquisition initiatives.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a technical or business discipline - or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Established network within the NSWC Dahlgren Division enterprise, particularly among technical departments, Tech Bridge leadership, and regional innovation partners.
• Demonstrated success leading capture, program development, and partnership initiatives within DoD R&D or systems engineering environments.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, capable of articulating complex technical capabilities in operationally relevant terms.
• Proven ability to integrate internal teams and external stakeholders to deliver mission-driven, innovative solutions.
• Track record of growth achievement - developing qualified pipelines, securing new awards, and expanding customer relationships over time.
• Experience working with multiple Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) divisions, demonstrating familiarity with their missions, stakeholders, and operational environments.

Travel: This position requires a minimum of 25 % travel.

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.

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include a 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.

#LI-ML2 #PV2

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.