Senior Specialist, Optical Systems Engineering

L3Harris Technologies; Palm Bay (FL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies is seeking a Senior Specialist, Optical Engineering in Palm Bay, FL (also Fort Wayne, IN) to lead requirements management, design, verification, and testing for space hardware programs. The role demands collaboration with cross‑functional teams across the system lifecycle and strong leadership in complex programs.

The engineer will develop performance models, run simulations, and address system risks while guiding technical input for business pursuits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree plus 6+ years in related field, or Graduate Degree with 4+ years, or 10+ years of related experience in lieu of a degree.
• Experience with optical design, integration, and test of optical assemblies.
• Experience leading technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Apply optical and electrical engineering principles to hardware development and space systems.
• Review, allocate, and verify system requirements for free‑space optical links and ground terminals.
• Develop performance models and simulations (link budgets, pointing/tracking) and mitigation strategies (adaptive optics).
• Integrate optical terminals into satellite architectures and collaborate with cross‑functional teams on design, testing, and verification.
• Lead complex technical programs to deliver hardware on schedule and within scope.

Skills

Optical design & testing

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Graduate Degree

Tools

DOORS

Jama

MATLAB

Zemax

Code V

FRED

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: Senior Specialist, Optical Engineering

Job Code: 47084

Job Location: Palm Bay, FL or Fort Wayne, IN

Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days - totaling 80 hours worked - and have 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. The products we develop perform a variety of missions for our customers with both space-based and ground-based applications. The Systems Engineers that support these missions lead the technology across the entire system lifecycle. They engage in all the of critical phases and milestone reviews including pursuit, SDR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PSR, and system operation.

The Optical Systems Engineer will support the larger program team performing critical functions such as requirements management, interface management, system design, risk and opportunity management, verification planning, test planning, and leading multiple event-based activities such as RCCAs, FRBs, MRBs, and addressing any open action items. All Systems Engineers must be able to work and lead in collaborative environments, fostering the success of the overall team.

This position is located in Palm Bay, FL: https://careers.l3harris.com/en/florida or Fort Wayne, IN:

https://careers.l3harris.com/en/Fort-Wayne

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for applying optical communications and electrical engineering principles to hardware development.
• Review, develop, analyze, and allocate system requirements for free‑space optical communication links and ground terminals.
• Develop and run performance models, including link budgets, pointing/acquisition/tracking simulations, and mitigation techniques such as adaptive optics.
• Integrate optical terminals into satellite architectures and collaborating with cross‑functional engineering teams on design, testing, and validation.
• Oversee space hardware development and testing activities.
• Responsible for leading complex technical teams and programs to successfully deliver hardware on schedule and within scope.
• Manage and verify system and component requirements using tools such as DOORS or Jama.
• Managing subcontractors, authoring Statements of Work, and ensuring compliance with program obligations.
• Responsible for supporting system, module, and sub‑assembly testing; troubleshooting; defect resolution; and continuous product and test process improvement.
• Responsible for evaluating customer needs, conducting design trades, assessing and mitigating program risks, and leading technical input for business pursuits.
• Must be able to obtain a US DoD Secret security clearance

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience in related fields. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
• Experience with optical design, integration, and test of optical assemblies.
• Experience leading technical teams.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Familiarity with the Space Development Agency (SDA) OCT Standard
• Experience with MATLAB for data analysis and automation of testing procedures.
• Familiarity with evaluating and selecting vendors to supply critical components for advanced systems.
• Experiences with earned value management
• Experience in using Zemax and/or Code V optical software for advanced design and analysis purposes.
• Experience with FRED or similar stray light analysis software for evaluating and mitigating optical system interference.
• Active DoD Secret Security Clearance.

#LI-KB1

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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