Scientist, Integration & Test (Top Secret/SCI)

L3Harris Technologies; Palm Bay (FL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies is seeking a Scientist, Integration & Test Engineer to lead integration and test operations for space payloads. You will manage a team, coordinate with engineering, manufacturing, and program management, and drive verifications across complex space systems.

Role requires leading test strategies, ensuring safety and quality, and interfacing with customers and leadership. On-site Palm Bay location with occasional travel; active TS/SCI clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 12 years of prior relevant experience.
• Graduate Degree and a minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
• In lieu of a degree, minimum of 16 years of prior related experience.
• Active TS/SCI Clearance

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and optimization of integration and test operations across multiple programs supporting space payloads and space vehicles.
• Develop enterprise-wide test strategies, test plans, verification approaches, and integration roadmaps with Program Management and Engineering.
• Oversee day-to-day activities of the Integration and Test Engineering team, ensuring alignment to program objectives and safety/quality standards.
• Coordinate test readiness, integration sequences, and test campaigns with proper configuration management and technical discipline.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to resolve issues impacting integration or test execution schedules.
• Serve as the primary test operations interface for internal leadership and external customers on all integration and test matters.
• Track program performance, risks, resources, and milestones related to integration and test operations.
• Support business pursuits and proposals, including technical proposal reviews and Basis of Estimate development.
• Support on-site operations at test facilities and partner sites; travel may be up to 10-20%.

Skills

Earned Value Management

Integration & Test Leadership

Verification & Validation Plans

Space Hardware Subsystems

Test Facilities Management

Root-Cause Analysis

Cross-Functional Coordination

Education

Bachelor’s Degree + 12 years

Graduate Degree + 10 years

16 years experience in lieu of 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: Scientist, Integration & Test Engineer (Active TS/SCI)

Job Code: 42945

Job Location: Palm Bay, FL

Job Schedule: 9/80 (Every other Friday off)

Job Description:

This role is part of the L3Harris (LHX) Space Systems Sector within the Space and Mission Systems (SMS) Segment. SMS is the largest and the fastest growing segment within LHX and well postured for continued growth and success in the domain. This position serves as a Scientist, Integration and Test Engineer responsible for leading, planning, and executing test operations across a portfolio of space payload programs. The role provides operations leadership, technical oversight, and strategic coordination to ensure successful integration, verification, and validation of complex space systems. This position also manages a team of engineers and partners closely with engineering, manufacturing, and program management to deliver high-quality mission hardware on schedule.

Essential Functions:

• Lead the planning, execution, and optimization of integration and test operations across multiple programs supporting space payloads and space vehicles.
• Develop enterprise-wide test strategies, test plans, verification approaches, and integration roadmaps in collaboration with Program Management and Engineering.
• Oversee day-to-day activities of the Integration and Test Engineering team, ensuring alignment to program objectives, technical accuracy, and adherence to safety and quality standards.
• Coordinate test readiness, integration sequences, and test campaigns, ensuring proper configuration management and technical discipline throughout all phases.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to resolve issues impacting integration or test execution schedules.
• Serve as the primary test operations interface for internal leadership and external customers on all integration and test matters.
• Track program performance, risks, resources, and milestones related to integration and test operations, ensuring timely communication and mitigation planning.
• Support business pursuits and proposals, including contributing to technical proposal reviews and Basis of Estimate (BOE) development as required.
• Support on-site operations at test facilities and partner sites as required. Travel may be required up to 10-20%.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 12 years of prior relevant experience.
• Graduate Degree and a minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
• In lieu of a degree, minimum of 16 years of prior related experience.
• Active TS/SCI Clearance

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Expert with Earned Value Management processes and variance reporting.
• Experience leading integration and test activities for space payloads, spacecraft buses, or other complex aerospace systems.
• Background in developing or executing verification and validation plans for hardware involving environmental testing, functional testing, or space-qualification processes.
• Knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and software subsystems commonly used in space hardware and how they interact during integration.
• Familiarity with enterprise-level test operations, including multi-program coordination, shared test infrastructure, and cross-program process alignment.
• Ability to interpret system-level requirements and translate them into actionable integration and test strategies.
• Experience establishing and managing test facilities, ground support equipment, or specialized test assets used for space payload or vehicle integration.
• Strong capability in root-cause analysis and leading resolution of issues discovered during integration or test execution.

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.