Lead, Systems Engineer (Platform Engineering)

L3Harris Technologies; Lompoc (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer (Platform Engineering) to sustain the MOSSAIC SDA platform at Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA. You will lead monitoring, performance optimization, and upgrades for the Space Mission Platform and its tenant apps.

Requirements include a Bachelor’s degree with 9+ years of related experience (or MS with 7+), active U.S. DoD Secret clearance with ability to obtain Top-Secret, and strong leadership in an operational environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 9+ years related experience or MS with 7+ years, or 13+ years experience in lieu of a degree.
• Active U.S. DoD Secret clearance with ability to obtain Top-Secret clearance.
• Strong experience with system performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and sustainment in an operational environment.
• Strong understanding of network infrastructure, system administration, and data processing pipelines.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical activities and support cross-functional engineering efforts.
• Strong problem-solving skills, sound judgment, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead monitoring and maintenance of the operational platform and tenant applications to ensure high availability and strong system performance.
• Oversee troubleshooting of system issues, outages, and performance concerns with timely response.
• Provide technical leadership for system sustainment activities and support daily mission operations.
• Mentor junior engineers and administrators in best practices and operational excellence.
• Plan and implement system upgrades, enhancements, patches, and service packs.
• Develop, improve, and maintain system documentation, procedures, and SOPs.
• Coordinate with site support teams, administrators, engineers, and stakeholders to resolve issues.
• Review system alerts, incidents, and trends; drive corrective and preventive actions.
• Prepare performance reports and recommendations for improvements and modernization.
• Ensure compliance with ITAR, EAR, CUI and cybersecurity standards.
• Travel up to 10% as needed.

Skills

System performance monitoring

Troubleshooting

Security/compliance ITAR/EAR/CUI

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring

VMware

Windows Server

Red Hat Enterprise Linux

SQL Server / Oracle

Kubernetes

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

VMware vSphere

VMware Cloud Foundation

Active Directory

DNS

DHCP

Windows Server

Red Hat Enterprise Linux

SQL Server / Oracle

Kubernetes

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 (Platform Engineering)

Job Code: 42610

Job Location: Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA

Job Schedule: 9/80 (Every Other Friday Off)

Job Description

As the premier provider of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission solutions for the United States Space Force, L3Harris is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer/Platform Engineer to perform system sustainment functions related to the MOSSAIC C2 Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission at Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA. The ideal candidate will be responsible for monitoring and maintaining the performance of our Space Mission Platform and its tenant applications. This role is critical in ensuring that our systems operate at peak efficiency and are secure from internal and external threats.

Essential Functions

• Lead monitoring and maintenance of the operational platform and tenant applications to ensure high availability and strong system performance.
• Oversee troubleshooting and resolution of system issues, outages, and performance concerns, ensuring timely response and minimal downtime.
• Provide technical leadership for system sustainment activities and support daily mission operations.
• Guide end-user support efforts, helping resolve complex issues and promoting system best practices.
• Lead the planning and implementation of system upgrades, enhancements, patches, and service packs.
• Conduct and oversee routine system audits to evaluate system performance, integrity, and compliance.
• Develop, improve, and maintain system documentation, technical procedures, and standard operating procedures.
• Coordinate with site support teams, administrators, engineers, and mission stakeholders to resolve issues and improve system operations.
• Review system alerts, incidents, and operational trends, and drive corrective and preventive actions.
• Prepare performance reports, assess system health, and provide recommendations for improvements and modernization.
• Ensure compliance with ITAR, EAR, and CUI requirements, along with company policies and cybersecurity standards.
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, industry trends, and engineering best practices that may improve system performance and mission support.
• Support team development by mentoring junior engineers and administrators.
• Travel up to 10% as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 9 years of related experience, or a graduate degree with at least 7 years of related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
• Active U.S. DoD Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain a Top-Secret clearance.
• Strong experience with system performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and sustainment in an operational environment.
• Strong understanding of network infrastructure, system administration, and data processing pipelines.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical activities and support cross-functional engineering efforts.
• Strong problem-solving skills, sound judgment, and attention to detail.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Experience designing, deploying, and administering VMware Cloud Foundation.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently, lead multiple priorities, and operate effectively in a mission-focused environment.
• Experience administering VMware vSphere.
• Experience administering Active Directory, DNS, and DHCP.
• Experience administering Windows Server and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
• DoD 8570.01M IAT Level 2 certification, such as CompTIA Security+ CE.
• Willingness to participate in a 24x7 on-call rotation.
• Experience administering Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle database systems.
• Understanding of Kubernetes and container orchestration platforms.
• Additional certifications such as Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), Network+, or VMware, Microsoft, or other relevant infrastructure and systems certifications.
• Experience mentoring junior technical staff and leading system improvement initiatives.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California is $127,500-$236,500. 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, 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.

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.