Lead Systems Engineer, Systems Engineering

L3Harris Technologies; Greenville (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in Plano, TX is seeking an experienced Lead Systems Engineer to drive requirements development, architecture, and system integration across ISR platforms. You will lead cross-disciplinary teams to deliver end-to-end mission capability and ensure traceability from concept to verification.

The role requires strong communication with customers and stakeholders, expertise in MBSE and lifecycle processes, and readiness to travel to local sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Active US Secret security clearance or higher.
• Current Security+ Certification.
• Bachelor’s Degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer engineering, software engineering or related field.
• Graduate Degree acceptable with 7+ years of related experience.
• In lieu of a degree, a minimum of 13 years of related experience.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in systems engineering for complex defense, aerospace, or ISR-related systems.
• Demonstrated experience with ISR platforms, mission systems, sensors, payload integration, battle management command & control systems.
• Demonstrated experience with technical documentation, interface control, and requirement management tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead system requirements management, decomposition, traceability, verification, and validation.
• Define, analyze, allocate, and manage system, subsystem, and component requirements.
• Conduct trade studies across hardware, software, and system design alternatives.
• Support hardware selection for mission systems, processing, networking, sensors, storage, and infrastructure.
• Develop and review verification plans, test procedures, and test reports.
• Mentor technical leaders and support onboarding of new team members.
• Coordinate with subcontractors, government customers, and cross-functional teams.
• Plan and manage systems engineering schedules and major project initiatives.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Architecture development

Verification & validation

Trade studies

Technical leadership

MBSE tools

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Systems Engineering or related field

Graduate Degree

In lieu of a degree: 13 years of experience

Tools

DOORS

Cameo

JIRA

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, Systems Engineering

Job Code: 44626

Job Location: Plano, TX

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

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to support the requirements, development, integration, test and sustainment of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform capabilities. This role will be responsible for managing system requirements, architecture development, system integration & testing, and ensuring end-to-end mission capability across the ISR platform. The candidate will have experience with complex airborne and ground ISR systems and strong understanding of systems engineering processes throughout the full lifecycle.

Essential Functions

• This position includes an expectation of 10 to 15% shift, on-call, or weekend work. As well as the ability to travel to or work at other local sites as needed.
• Lead system requirements management, decomposition, traceability, verification, and validation.
• Define, analyze, allocate, and manage system, subsystem, and component requirements.
• Evaluate requirements flow-down, definition quality, and traceability.
• Conduct trade studies across hardware, software, and system design alternatives.
• Support hardware selection for mission systems, processing, networking, sensors, storage, and infrastructure.
• Develop and review verification plans, test procedures, and test reports.
• Resolve complex technical issues and support final platform trade-off decisions with Chief Engineers.
• Communicate technical recommendations and influence processes with engineers, program managers, customers, and stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain technical direction, engineering standards, and design principles.
• Support technical planning, design reviews, integration, and system-level decision-making.
• Identify, assess, track, and mitigate technical risks.
• Develop, track, and present technical metrics, results, and milestone reviews.
• Prepare and present technical information for internal and external meetings.
• Produce architecture documents, technical roadmaps, trade studies, and decision records.
• Develop customer-facing technical communications and recommendations.
• Read and interpret technical specifications, drawings, test procedures, and publications.
• Support and document verification testing in lab, ground, and flight environments.
• Analyze verification and test data for system performance and compliance.
• Provide hands-on support for software and hardware integration, testing, and verification.
• Mentor technical leaders and support onboarding and development of new team members.
• Drive systems engineering process improvement and technical excellence.
• Plan and manage systems engineering schedules and major project initiatives with minimal oversight.
• Coordinate with subcontractors, government customers, and cross-functional teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Active US Secret security clearance or higher.
• Current Security+ Certification.
• Bachelor’s Degree in systems engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering or related field 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, a minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in systems engineering for complex defense, aerospace, or ISR-related systems
• Demonstrated experience working with ISR platforms, mission systems, sensors, payload integration, battle management command & control systems.
• Demonstrated experience with technical documentation, interface control, and requirement management tools.
• Demonstrated experience in performing trade studies and supporting technical decision-making for hardware and/or software selection.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Active Top Secret with SCI security clearance
• Knowledge of radar, EO/IR, SIGINT, Communications or Networking
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and methods
• Experience with DOORS, Cameo, JIRA or other lifecycle engineering tools.
• Experience evaluating Swap-C consideration and environmental constraints in hardware selection
• Experience supporting system integration labs, ground test, flight test or operational test events.
• Understanding of cybersecurity and system interoperability consideration in ISR environments.
• Knowledge of systems engineering lifecycle processes including requirement development, decomposition, integration, verification and validation.

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.

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