Lead, Systems Engineering - Link 22

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

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies seeks a Lead, Systems Engineer for Link 22 to develop and integrate tactical data link architectures across airborne and maritime systems. You will lead requirements, design, test, and interoperability efforts, traveling as needed to support program phases.

The role requires deep expertise in Link 22, NATO STANAGs, and multi-node data flows, with DoD clearance. You will collaborate across teams in a demanding defense environment to deliver secure, scalable solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology with 9 years of relevant experience, or graduate degree with 7 years.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Link 22 subject matter expert, leveraging in-depth working knowledge of Link 22 systems, architecture, message standards, network design, and the full range of available configuration options.
• Integrate and configure Link 22 tactical data link systems for use with airborne weapon system and maritime-based communication platforms, ensuring compatibility and operational effectiveness.
• Architect and design Link 22 data flows across multi-node network environments, including Function groups, time slot management, and message routing.
• Develop, manage, and maintain exportable Link 22 configurations for use across multiple programs, platforms, and customer environments.
• Integrate and configure Link 22 hardware and software components, including System Network Controller (SNC), Signal Processing Controller (SPC), and Link-level COMSEC (LLC) ensuring proper interoperability with platform systems and external networks.
• Design and develop physical architectures incorporating Link 22 alongside complementary tactical data links (e.g., Link 16, VMF) across multiple security domains.
• Design, integrate, and test wideband and narrowband communication systems in support of Link 22 operations.
• Translate customer requests and CONOPS into system-level requirements and ensure proper requirement traceability throughout the program lifecycle.
• Write subsystem specifications based on system-level requirements and evaluate alternative solutions to establish preliminary system designs.
• Review and evaluate electrical wiring diagrams to ensure design details trace to system requirements.
• Develop and execute Link 22 standards compliance and performance test procedures, ensuring system performance and capabilities meet defined system requirements and applicable MIL-STD and STANAG specifications.
• Plan and execute Link 22 interoperability testing in lab and operational environments, including participation in multi-national interoperability events.
• Prepare effective presentations to communicate complex technical information, including Link 22 architecture and configuration details, to non-technical professionals and government customers.
• Develop, author, and implement software and system test plans in a collaborative team environment.
• Develop integration, test, and verification scenarios using Link 22 simulation equipment in support of SW development, integration, and test efforts.
• Work in an agile engineering environment.

Skills

Link 22 expertise

Systems engineering

Architecture design

Requirements tracing

STANAG knowledge

Test planning

Agile engineering

DoD clearance

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology

Graduate degree

13+ years experience in lieu of degree

Tools

SNC hardware

SPC hardware

Link 22 hardware/software

SDR systems

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 Engineering Link 22

Job Code: 43457

Job Location: Rockwall, TX

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

Job Description

Perform as part of a team that supports the requirements, design, development, test, and integration of complex, specialized hardware/software systems installed on ground and airborne ISR and communication platforms. The ideal candidate will serve as a subject matter expert in Link 22 tactical data link systems, providing hands-on architecture development requirements, system design, configuration, integration, and training expertise for airborne and maritime-based system applications. Travel requirement will vary with the phase of the program, ranging from <10% during SW development phases to an excess of 50% during integration, testing, and delivery.

Essential Functions

• Serve as the primary Link 22 subject matter expert, leveraging in-depth working knowledge of Link 22 systems, architecture, message standards, network design, and the full range of available configuration options.
• Integrate and configure Link 22 tactical data link systems for use with airborne weapon system and maritime-based communication platforms, ensuring compatibility and operational effectiveness.
• Architect and design Link 22 data flows across multi-node network environments, including Function groups, time slot management, and message routing.
• Develop, manage, and maintain exportable Link 22 configurations for use across multiple programs, platforms, and customer environments.
• Integrate and configure Link 22 hardware and software components, including System Network Controller (SNC), Signal Processing Controller (SPC), and Link-level COMSEC (LLC) ensuring proper interoperability with platform systems and external networks.
• Design and develop physical architectures incorporating Link 22 alongside complementary tactical data links (e.g., Link 16, VMF) across multiple security domains.
• Design, integrate, and test wideband and narrowband communication systems in support of Link 22 operations.
• Translate customer requests and CONOPS into system-level requirements and ensure proper requirement traceability throughout the program lifecycle.
• Write subsystem specifications based on system-level requirements and evaluate alternative solutions to establish preliminary system designs.
• Review and evaluate electrical wiring diagrams to ensure design details trace to system requirements.
• Develop and execute Link 22 standards compliance and performance test procedures, ensuring system performance and capabilities meet defined system requirements and applicable MIL-STD and STANAG specifications.
• Plan and execute Link 22 interoperability testing in lab and operational environments, including participation in multi-national interoperability events.
• Prepare effective presentations to communicate complex technical information, including Link 22 architecture and configuration details, to non-technical professionals and government customers.
• Develop, author, and implement software and system test plans in a collaborative team environment.
• Develop integration, test, and verification scenarios using Link 22 simulation equipment in support of SW development, integration, and test efforts.
• Work in an agile engineering environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology and minimum of 9 years of relevant experience (Software Engineer also considered with 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.
• Strong understanding of core Systems Engineering requirements development, decomposition, traceability, verification, and validation, with the ability to translate customer and stakeholder needs into clear, testable, and compliant system requirements.
• Prior experience creating tactical datalink (TDL) scenarios in support of software development, integration, and testing phases.
• Proven problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities in complex technical environments.
• Demonstrated, hands-on experience integrating and configuring Link 22 tactical data link systems for airborne or ground-based applications.
• Working knowledge of Link 22 network architecture, NPG design, time slot assignment and STANAG 5522 message standards.
• Hands-on experience with Curtiss-Wright & Leonardo DRS Link 22 hardware and/or software products.
• Demonstrated experience architecting Link 22 data flows in multi-node, multi-domain network environments.
• Demonstrated experience performing NILE Link 22 standard and conformance testing for NATO weapon system.
• Prior experience working with NILE PMO and NILE GOTS hardware/software.
• Experience integrating with modernized software defined V/UHF software defined radio systems.
• Active DoD Secret Clearance with eligibility for TS/SCI; requires U.S. Citizenship.

Strongly Preferred

• Security+ Certified.
• Experience creating and managing exportable Link 22 configurations for deployment across multiple platforms or customer environments.
• Ability to support flight test/ability to obtain active flight physical.
• Familiarity with Link 22 software updates, version management, and configuration baseline control.
• Experience with Link 16 and/or other tactical data links and their interoperability with Link 22 networks.
• Familiarity with Leonardo DRS and Curtiss-Wright products and their integration within tactical data link and airborne communication architectures.
• Experience working with domestic and foreign subcontractors, and foreign customers.
• Familiarity with multi-national interoperability testing events and coalition data link environments.
• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment.
• Hands-on experience testing, integrating, and verifying hardware and/or software systems.

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.