Lead, Flight Test Field Engineer

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in Ashburn, VA is seeking a Lead Flight Test Field Engineer for the Flight Test and Evaluation team. This role focuses on developmental UAS flight testing, end-user integration, and training across lab and field environments to ensure mission success.

The senior engineer will provide leadership for event planning, system readiness, troubleshooting, and customer support, with extensive travel and potential long shifts as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related technical discipline required.
• Active U.S. TS/SCI security clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical planning, integration, execution, and post-event assessment of developmental UAS flight tests.
• Serve as primary technical liaison among engineering teams, customers, and test-range personnel.
• Lead cross-functional resolution of complex UAS systems and test issues; drive corrective actions.
• Define field-engineering readiness plans, objectives, baselines, and deployment risks.
• Oversee system assembly, preflight checks, maintenance, and readiness activities for safe operations.

Skills

Technical leadership

UAS expertise

Troubleshooting

Test & evaluation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related technical discipline

Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission‑critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end‑to‑end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Lead, Flight Test Field Engineer

Job Code: 46466

Job Location: Ashburn, VA – On Site

Job Schedule: 9/80 - Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked – and have every other Friday off

Job Description:

L3Harris Agile Development Group (ADG) is seeking a Lead Field Engineer to join our Flight Test and Evaluation (T&E) team supporting our family of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Launched Effects (LE) capabilities. The portfolio includes deployable mission effects that can support precision kinetic strike and electronic warfare. The Lead UAS Field Engineer is the senior technical field representative for developmental flight testing, end‑user integration, and training. Operating across lab and field environments, this role leads the technical execution of complex test and fielding activities and serves as a primary interface among engineering teams, customers, end‑users, and test‑range personnel to ensure mission success.

This is a mission‑focused, highly technical position requiring comprehensive UAS systems knowledge, sound engineering judgment, and strong organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills. The role provides technical leadership for event planning, system integration and readiness, complex troubleshooting, maintenance strategy, training, and customer support. The Lead UAS Field Engineer works with minimal oversight against established objectives; resolves ambiguous system‑level issues; leads cross‑functional initiatives of substantial importance; and drives improvements to field‑engineering practices, systems, and processes.

Essential Functions:

• Lead the technical planning, integration, execution, and post‑event assessment of developmental UAS flight test, launched‑effects integration, and field deployment activities.
• Serve as the primary technical field liaison among engineering teams, customers, end‑users, test‑range personnel, and other external stakeholders; communicate system status, risks, technical decisions, and recommended courses of action.
• Lead cross‑functional resolution of complex UAS and launched‑effects system, subsystem, software, firmware, ground‑control, communications, and test‑support issues; conduct root‑cause investigations and drive corrective actions with engineering teams.
• Define and manage field‑engineering readiness plans, technical objectives, acceptance criteria, configuration baselines, and deployment risks for assigned programs and test events.
• Oversee system assembly, inspection, setup, configuration, preflight checkout, maintenance, and readiness activities; provide hands‑on technical support as required for safe and successful operations.
• Lead the setup, integration, operation, and troubleshooting of ground control stations, antenna systems, telemetry links, and test‑support equipment, including software and firmware updates and configuration management.
• Evaluate operational and test data, identify system performance trends, and provide technically sound recommendations that influence product design, test strategy, field procedures, and customer support approaches.
• Establish, improve, and implement field‑engineering processes, technical standards, work instructions, and readiness practices that improve mission performance and reduce operational risk.
• Lead technical briefings and debriefings for program leadership, engineering teams, customers, and operational stakeholders; clearly communicate complex technical information, findings, and recommendations.
• Provide senior‑level customer support through remote and on‑site methods, including issue resolution, technical escalation, corrective‑action follow‑through, and post‑event engagement.
• Train end‑users and customer support personnel in the maintenance, operation, troubleshooting, and safe use of UAS, launched‑effects capabilities, associated user interfaces, and proprietary software; assess proficiency and address technical knowledge gaps.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to field technicians, field engineers, and other team members, review work products, and support development of technical capability across the team.
• Coordinate technical aspects of field logistics, equipment preparation, shipping, and deployment readiness across multiple programs; ensure required equipment, documentation, and personnel are prepared for scheduled events.
• Represent L3Harris professionally in customer, end‑user, and test‑range interactions; build effective working relationships and influence adoption of sound technical practices and solutions.
• Occasionally work 12+ hour shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on short notice as operational demands require.
• Ability to move 51 lbs. unassisted or 100 lbs. as part of a two‑person team.
• Ability to travel CONUS and OCONUS up to 50% of the time.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or another relevant technical discipline and a minimum of 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior relevant experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior relevant experience.
• Active U.S. TS/SCI security clearance.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Military experience or experience supporting military customers.
• Demonstrated expertise with UAS and launched‑effects operations, aviation fundamentals, mission planning, systems integration, and test‑range operations.
• Experience leading developmental or operational test activities in a high‑tempo, high‑consequence environment.
• Experience with systems engineering, complex equipment integration, configuration management, and technical risk management.
• Experience conducting root‑cause analysis and developing corrective actions for complex hardware, software, communications, or system‑integration issues.
• Experience generating technical work summaries, discrepancy reports, test reports, readiness assessments, and customer‑facing technical briefings.
• Experience monitoring and analyzing telemetry data; developing test approaches; and leading technical test briefings and debriefings.
• Experience serving as a technical liaison to customers, end‑users, engineering teams, and external operational stakeholders.
• Experience developing, improving, and implementing field procedures, maintenance strategies, training materials, or technical standards.
• Knowledgeable of basic explosive hazard controls and system safety
• OSHA requirements and ESD best‑practices familiarity.
• Strong hands‑on mechanical, electrical, and troubleshooting skills, including computer networking and the ability to interpret schematic diagrams and technical documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor technical personnel, prioritize work across multiple programs, and communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Virginia Greater D.C. areas is Min $105,500.00 - $196,500.00 Max. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave,
paid time off, and company‑paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employeemay vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargainingagreements.

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug‑free workplace and performs pre‑employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.