Senior Principal, Program Management

L3Harris Technologies; Millersville (MD); On-site; USD 133,000 - 247,000; 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, Millersville, MD, seeks a Principal, Program Management (Chief of Staff) to partner with the VP/GM of the Acoustics and Imaging Division. You will drive strategy, enable execution across seven locations, and support financial performance and strategic initiatives in a complex defense environment.

The role requires extensive experience in strategic planning, program management, and cross-functional leadership, with the ability to travel 10–15% and obtain a US security

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or related field with 12+ years experience; or graduate degree with 10+ years.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the VP/GM to develop, refine, and execute the division's multi-year strategic plan across acoustic systems, seabed warfare, imaging, and multi-domain integration.

Skills

Strategic planning

Business operations

Program management

Executive communications

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or related technical discipline

MBA or advanced degree

Graduate degree

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

Principal, Program Management (Chief of Staff)

Job Code

40591

Job Location

Millersville, MD

Schedule

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

Job Description

The Chief of Staff will serve as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to the Vice President & General Manager of the Acoustics and Imaging Division, supporting the leadership of a distributed portfolio encompassing Submarine and Surface Navy Systems. This role will act as a force multiplier for the VP/GM, driving strategic initiatives, ensuring organizational alignment, and enabling operational excellence across multiple sites and mission areas.

Operating as an extension of the VP/GM's office, the Chief of Staff will coordinate across engineering, operations, program management, and sector functions to translate strategy into execution. This position requires a sophisticated understanding of defense business operations, exceptional judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment supporting a division with :800 employees across seven locations.

Essential Functions

• Partner with the VP/GM to develop, refine, and execute the division's multi‑year strategic plan focused on mission relevance, customer alignment, and sustainable growth across acoustic systems, seabed warfare, imaging, and multi‑domain integration
• Lead strategic planning processes including annual operating plans, quarterly business reviews, and long‑range planning cycles; track and drive accountability for strategic initiatives and key performance indicators
• Serve as a key integrator across the division's seven locations, ensuring alignment between engineering, operations, program management, and functional teams on complex operational and organizational challenges
• Prepare executive communications, presentations, and briefings for senior leadership
• Support financial performance management including monthly/quarterly business reviews, forecast processes, and program health monitoring across the portfolio
• Partner with sector functions (Finance, Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, HR) to drive affordability, compliance, and execution velocity
• Support major capture and proposal efforts by coordinating resources, facilitating decision‑making, and tracking business development pipeline alignment with enterprise growth priorities
• Lead or support special projects, transformation initiatives, and process improvements that enhance organizational effectiveness and cultural accountability
• Ability to travel 10‑15% of the time
• Ability to obtain a US Security Clearance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or related technical discipline required and 12 years of related experience or Graduate Degree and 10 years of related experience. In lieu of a degree, a minimum of 16 years of prior related experience.
• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive experience in the defense or aerospace industry
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, business operations, or program management roles
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in complex, matrixed organizations with multiple stakeholders

Preferred Additional Skills

• Exceptional analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑support capabilities
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including executive‑level presentation development
• MBA or advanced degree in relevant field
• Active Secret clearance preferred
• Prior Chief of Staff, strategy, or business operations leadership experience
• Strong understanding of defense acquisition processes, US Navy stakeholders, and maritime/undersea mission areas
• Experience supporting P&L leadership in multi‑site defense business units

Salary Range & Benefits

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Colorado State, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Vermont and New York State is $133K‑$247K. For California, New Jersey, Seattle, Washington D.C., Maryland Greater Washington D.C. area, the city of Denver, Washington State and New York City, the salary range for this role is $153‑$284K. 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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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