Lead, Systems Engineer - Mission Protection

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and disability insurance

401(k) match

Flexible spending accounts

Employee education assistance

Parental leave

Paid time off

Company-paid holidays

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer – Mission Protection to support a high-visibility national security program. You will lead the Mission Protection team and act as the primary authority on protection activities for space and ground assets, ensuring survivability in contested environments.

Responsibilities include threat modeling, risk management, and integrating protection into lifecycle activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience; graduate degree with 7 years or 13 years with no degree.
• Active Top Secret/SCI with CI Poly clearance required.
• 5 years of threat modeling, vulnerability analysis, and risk management.
• 5 years of experience with Weapons and Tactics (W&T) team, integrating protection strategies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct mission protection assessments across space, cyber, and ground architectures.
• Collaborate with mission planners, operators, and partners to integrate protection strategies.
• Lead development of mitigation plans and implement countermeasures for mission assurance.

Skills

Threat modeling

Risk assessment

Leadership

Communication

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Graduate degree

Tools

STK

ODTK

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, Systems Engineer – Mission Protection

Job Code: 44786

Job Location: Springfield, Virginia (100% On-site)

Job Schedule: 5/8 Monday-Friday

Job Description:

L3Harris Technologies is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer – Mission Protection to support a high-visibility, mission-critical national security program. This individual will lead the contractor Mission Protection team and serve as the primary authority for Mission Protection activities supporting sensitive space and ground capabilities for U.S. Government operations.

This position is responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating threats across space, cyber, and ground segments. The selected candidate will apply operational security (OPSEC), counterintelligence, cyber defense, and threat analysis principles to protect critical systems and ensure the survivability and resilience of U.S. assets in contested and degraded environments.

The ideal candidate demonstrates strong leadership, technical depth in threat-informed engineering, and the ability to integrate Mission Protection requirements into operational planning, system architecture, and lifecycle activities.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct mission protection assessments to identify vulnerabilities across space, cyber, and ground architectures.
• Collaborate with mission planners, operators, and mission partners to integrate protection strategies throughout the system lifecycle.
• Lead the development of mitigation plans and help implement countermeasures aligned with mission assurance priorities.
• Coordinate with DoW and IC stakeholders to ensure protection efforts are synchronized with national-level guidance and classification policies.
• Develop and maintain program-specific threat models, Concept of Operations (CONOPS), and risk management frameworks.
• Lead the Mission Protection contracting team to red/blue team assessments, tabletop exercises, and program security reviews.
• Prepare briefings and documentation for senior leadership on threat assessments, mitigation strategies, and mission assurance outcomes.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Battlespace Awareness operations certification.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively in classified operations centers, supporting 24/7 mission requirements when needed.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience briefing senior stakeholders.

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.
• Active Top Secret/SCI with CI Poly clearance required.
• 5 years of experience with threat modeling, vulnerability analysis, and risk management.
• 5 years of experience working with or supporting a Weapons and Tactics (W&T) team, with familiarity in integrating protection strategies.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Graduate of Air Force Weapon School or Advance Instructor Course (AIC).
• DoW/NRO Systems Liaison / Field Representative
• Strong Orbital Mechanics background.
• System Tool Kit (STK) Level 2/3 Certification; Orbital Determination Tool Kit (ODTK)

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Virginia - Greater Washington, D.C. Area is $127,500 - $236,500.00. 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-ZB1

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 (https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf) or Spanish (https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf) . For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights_10_20.pdf) or Spanish (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRightsSp_10_20.pdf) .