Lead, Software Engineering

Jobtome; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 136,000 - 251,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and disability insurance

401(k) match

Flexible spending accounts

EAP

Education assistance

Parental leave

Paid time off

Company-paid holidays

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in San Diego, CA, is seeking a Lead, Software Engineering to own system and software architecture across embedded, platform, and cloud environments. You will guide design, integration, and testing with Java and C++, and mentor junior engineers while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

The role requires a strong background in object‑oriented design, multi‑threaded programming, and a current Active Secret Clearance, with up to 20% travel.

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.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a technical lead, software architect, or project-level software leadership role.
• Active Secret Clearance

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of system and software architecture: analyze requirements, develop use cases, and translate them into forward‑looking architectural strategies, design decisions, and implementation plans.
• Lead design, implementation, integration, and test using Java and C++
• Serve as a technical point of contact across programs: recommend technologies, champion engineering best practices, and influence process improvements that increase reliability and delivery speed.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve software defects or system integration issues, including support for deployed operational systems
• Collaborate with customers and cross‑functional engineering teams to clarify requirements, support operations, and identify technical improvements
• Produce and maintain technical documentation, participate in design/code reviews, and contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes
• Provide coaching and mentorship to junior engineers, supporting a culture of learning and growth
• Travel up to 20%

Skills

Java

C++

Technical leadership

Architecture design

Cloud exposure

RTOS experience

Clearance (Active Secret)

Communication

Defense domain

Multithreading

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Graduate Degree

Tools

FreeRTOS

Linux

Java

C++

Python

Rust

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 Engineering

Job Code: 43870

Job Location: San Diego, CA

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

Job Description:

At L3Harris, our software engineers solve meaningful problems that directly impact missions across the globe. We foster a culture of innovation and value individuals from diverse backgrounds who challenge assumptions, introduce new ideas, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Our teams work across the full engineering lifecycle—from concept and architecture through deployment, sustainment, and evolution of real operational systems.

We’re expanding to meet growing demand in space and airborne technologies, and we’re looking for versatile software engineers who thrive on curiosity, enjoy tackling complex technical challenges, and can contribute across embedded, application and cloud environments.

Day to day, you will collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams on requirements, design, integration, hardware/software interfaces, testing, debugging, and defect resolution across the full software development lifecycle. You will also use a wide range of programming languages, tools, and operating systems to build, evaluate, and document software solutions for embedded and platform-based environments.

Essential Functions:

• Take ownership of system and software architecture: analyze requirements, develop use cases, and translate them into forward‑looking architectural strategies, design decisions, and implementation plans.
• Lead design, implementation, integration, and test using Java and C++
• Serve as a technical point of contact across programs: recommend technologies, champion engineering best practices, and influence process improvements that increase reliability and delivery speed.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve software defects or system integration issues, including support for deployed operational systems
• Collaborate with customers and cross‑functional engineering teams to clarify requirements, support operations, and identify technical improvements
• Produce and maintain technical documentation, participate in design/code reviews, and contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes
• Provide coaching and mentorship to junior engineers, supporting a culture of learning and growth
• Travel up to 20%

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.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a technical lead, software architect, or project-level software leadership role.
• Active Secret Clearance

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to support customer interactions
• Strong mastery of object‑oriented design, multi‑threaded programming, concurrency models, synchronization techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to lead architecture decisions and guide teams across embedded, platform, and cloud domains.
• Proactive, self‑driven technical learner with exposure to cloud computing or AI technologies.
• Experience with RTOS environments (e.G., FreeRTOS, Linux) is helpful
• Strong proficiency with modern languages and ecosystems: Java, Python, Rust.
• Experience in space, aerospace, or defense systems.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California is $135,500 - $250,500. 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
• 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.

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.