Director of Systems Engineering - EO Chief Engineer

L3Harris Technologies; Wilmington (MA); On-site; USD 184,000 - 341,500; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris’ Space and Airborne Systems seeks a Chief Engineer for electro‑optical payloads, leading technical strategy and execution on large programs from concept to deployment. You will direct cross‑discipline teams, ensure rigorous baselines, and drive architectural consistency across missions.

The role requires 15+ years in engineering with aerospace/defense experience, and a Secret clearance. Salary is described, relocation assistance available, and a strong focus on mission success and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or a similar technical field or equivalent and a minimum of 15 years of prior relevant engineering experience.
• Experience working within the aerospace and defense industry.
• 3+ years of functional management experience, leading a large team across multiple disciplines.
• Experience with requirements elicitation, analysis and functional allocation, conducting systems requirements reviews, developing concepts of operation and interface standards, developing system architectures, and performing technical/non‑technical assessment and management as well as end‑to‑end flow analysis.
• Active Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for optical, electrical, and mechanical assemblies, and drive consistency within technology roadmaps and architectures in area of focus.
• Lead system modeling and analysis for VIS and IR instruments, large optical assemblies, and payload electronics control sub‑systems.
• Works to achieve annual business revenue objectives and manage project initiatives of strategic importance to the organization.
• Identifies IR&D efforts in alignment with technology roadmaps to create technology differentiators.
• Leadership of pursuits with emphasis on technical baseline rigor, cost justification, executability, reuse efficiency, and risk management.
• Provide mentorship to develop lower‑level engineering staff into future SMEs.

Skills

Security clearance

Space systems knowledge

Technical leadership

Requirements elicitation

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science

Graduate degree

Job description

L3Harris’ Space and Airborne Systems seeks a Chief Engineer for electro‑optical payloads, leading technical strategy and execution on large programs from concept to deployment. You will direct cross‑discipline teams, ensure rigorous baselines, and drive architectural consistency across missions.

The role requires 15+ years in engineering with aerospace/defense experience, and a Secret clearance. Salary is described, relocation assistance available, and a strong focus on mission success and