Lead, Software Engineer

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.; Herndon (VA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 251,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and disability insurance

401(k) match

Flexible spending accounts

Parental leave

Paid time off

Company-paid holidays

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies, Inc. in Herndon, VA is seeking a Lead Software Engineer (Software IPT Lead) to drive software architecture, lead agile teams, and oversee cost estimates, proposals, and CAM activities.

The role includes embedded Linux‑based work and ensuring compliance with DO‑178C and safety standards. The project involves software requirements development, verification, and integration across end-to-end lifecycle phases with visibility into milestones and KPIs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 9 years of experience; graduate degree with a minimum 7 years; in lieu of a degree, 13 years of experience.
• 2+ years in an agile or software lead role.
• 5+ years of experience with C/C++ in design and development.
• Experience creating and presenting software proposals with cost estimates and proposals.
• Experience tracking earned value and leading large software planning efforts.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to software architecture specification and documentation.
• Structure work to enable clear progress assessment.
• Track software team performance against milestones and KPIs.
• Provide validation and verification of design concepts and implementations.
• Review design activities for compliance with customer requirements, standards, quality and safety.
• Design and implement software using C/C++.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded systems

Agile leadership

Software architecture

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Graduate Degree

Tools

Linux OS

U-Boot

Python

Java

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, Software Engineer (Software IPT Lead)

Job Code : 42068

Job Location: Herndon, VA (on-site)

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

In a fast moving and increasingly complex world, L3Harris is anticipating and rapidly responding to challenges with agile technology – creating a safer and more secure future. We develop advanced sonar systems and support software that enables system control, data acquisition, and analysis. This is a critical role supporting our maritime sector as a software lead. Work includes software requirements development, software test and integration, and both application‑level and embedded C/C++ development, including Linux‑based GUI and system control work.

In addition to technical contributions, this position conducts the day‑to‑day software lead activities by providing technical guidance, assigning tasks, reviewing and approving formal documentation, and estimating labor, tools, and other resources to meet budget and schedule commitments. This person may also perform Control Account Management (CAM) duties.

Essential Functions:

• Contribute to software architecture specification and documentation
• Structure work to enable clear progress assessment
• Track software team performance metrics against critical program milestones and KPIs
• Provide independent validation and verification of design concepts and implementation approaches.
• Review and oversee design activities for compliance with customer requirements, company standards, software quality, and safety.
• Design and implement software using C/C++
• Prepare design review materials in support of SRR, PDR, CDR, and other technical audits.
• Participate in flight safety certification activities.
• Estimate and track financial progress as a CAM.
• Foster and maintain positive relationships with customers, suppliers, colleagues, industry groups, and government agencies.
• Support software development through all lifecycle phases.
• Travel about 10%.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Security Clearance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
• 2+ years in an agile or other software lead role.
• At least 5 years of experience with software design and development using C/C++ programming languages.
• Experience creating and presenting software proposals including developing and reviewing cost estimates and proposal packages.
• Experience tracking earned value.
• Experience leading large software planning efforts.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Active Secret Clearance.
• Experience with Linux OS configuration, including kernel modifications, drivers, and U‑Boot.
• Familiarity with multiple programming languages such as C/C++, Python, and Java.
• Ability to interpret and clearly communicate engineering plans and specifications, with solid knowledge of engineering theory and design criteria.
• Excellent general computer skills and ability to quickly learn new hardware and software applications.
• Experience using and configuring networking equipment.
• Experience developing software for real-time embedded operating systems.
• Experience with DO-178C software flight safety certification.
• Experience building board support packages and drivers in Linux.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and the Greater D.C, Denver, or NYC areas is $135,000 MIN - $250,500 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 employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

#LI-IK1

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.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

L3Harris Technologies is an E‑Verify Employer. Please click here for the E‑Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.