Accelerating Decision-making Through Systems Engineering

Did you miss us? Don’t worry, we’re back with all-new episodes to close out the year. First up is Tara Shifflett, chief of technology for the MAGS (Missiles, Aviation and Ground Systems) division of KBR’s Defense and Technology Solutions business unit. Listen as Tara discusses the ins and outs of systems engineering, how KBR experts are using it to accelerate critical projects and democratize data and decision-making, and what’s on the horizon in this exciting and game-changing field.

Creating and maintaining a consistent culture, identity and values can be tricky for a big company, especially when you have nearly 40,000 employees and operate in close to 30 countries worldwide. The onus is on the company to build community while operating in many different, often complex regulatory environments. In this episode, KBR Chief People Officer Jenni Myles speaks about the challenges of building and strengthening corporate culture in never-ending unprecedented times, about how recent U.S. policy changes provided the catalyst to accelerate KBR’s people strategy, and about the importance of creating spaces for employees to belong, connect and grow.

To maintain the strategic advantage, the U.S. Department of Defense needs solutions and technologies that are innovative, creative and on the cutting edge. And they need them fast. It's no wonder they turn to KBR's digital engineering experts and the capabilities delivered at the KBR Digital Engineering Lab. In this episode, Gus Jordt, Air Force acquisitions digital engineering lead with KBR Mission Technology Solutions, discusses KBR digital engineering solutions, current trends, and his thoughts on what’s next in the field.NOTE: At time of recording, the KBR facility was referred to as the "DREAMM Lab." The facility mentioned is actually the KBR Digital Engineering Lab, part of the KBR Digital Engineering Environment.

Mobile phones, electric cars, laptops, not to mention ceramics, glass, lubricants, refrigeration, nuclear and more. The world runs on lithium. And a more sustainable supply is needed to catch up to skyrocketing demand. Listen as Claudia Pudack, Director of Technology for KBR Critical Minerals, discusses critical vs. rare earth minerals, how KBR technologies can help overcome lithium supply-and-demand challenges, and what we can expect going forward for the mineral many are calling “the new oil.”

Policy and tech are upending global norms and affecting pretty much everything. The outlook for the energy industry could be especially chaotic. In this episode, Tomi Dania, regional director – Americas for KBR Advisory Consulting, shares his thoughts on the big challenges and disruptions — like tariffs, executive orders, artificial intelligence and more — that are driving the U.S. energy outlook and how they could affect the global energy transition.

The results of refining processes are all around us, from the fuel in our cars, to the plastics that keep food fresh, to the asphalt on our streets, and beyond. But while refining in general is ubiquitous, there are challenges, including cyclical demand, efficiency and emissions requirements, and maintaining profitability. In this comprehensive interview, Brian Heasley, KBR’s global director of Refining and Clean Fuels, discusses current obstacles refiners face, including policy hurdles and barriers to entry for clean fuel, and how they can capitalize on opportunities through product diversification, circularity and refining residue oil.

Protecting space means protecting life as we know it. That’s not hyperbole. So how do we do that? One solution in KBR’s space portfolio is Iron Stallion®, part of a renowned software suite that helps governments around the world find, watch, track and report on the movement of objects in space. Listen as Missy Thomas and Liz Pearce of KBR Mission Technology Solutions discuss this game-changing technology and its critical role in the new race for space.

Becoming a global employer of choice is a journey. Recruiting the best and brightest — and keeping them — requires a next-gen, people-centric approach to talent acquisition. Don’t miss Javier Rodriguez, senior director of Global Talent Acquisition at KBR, as he discusses the evolving talent landscape, the increasingly important role of technology, the need for close alignment between talent acquisition and business needs, and more in this all-new episode.

From the bottom of the ocean to Earth's orbit, KBR's people are helping solve some of humankind's greatest challenges, including preparing astronauts for the rigors of life on the moon and eventually Mars. In this episode, Tiffany Swarmer from KBR's Science and Space business unit, discusses her work as intravehicular activity escape and survival specialist and mission controller, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conduct space research in the Arctic, and the far-reaching effects her research could have not only for space exploration but also for life on earth.

People of earth, the wait is over! We’re excited to launch an all-new season of KBR’s “In Orbit” podcast with an episode about KBR’s evolved Mission Technology Solutions business. Our first guest of 2025 is Erik Biebighauser — vice president of strategic growth, veteran, and Christmas tree farmer — who spoke with us about the dynamic capabilities of KBR Mission Tech which were enhanced by the acquisition of LinQuest in 2024. Erik gets candid about mission technology, service, purpose and the evolving national security landscape in an episode you don’t want to miss!