Senior Specialist, Systems Engineer - Flight Safety Test Coordinator and Team Lead

L3Harris; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Specialist, Systems Engineer to lead flight safety testing for critical national security programs. This role involves conducting orbital analysis, utilizing advanced analytical tools, and leading a multidisciplinary team to ensure mission success in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in orbital mechanics and satellite operations, along with proven leadership skills. Join a dynamic team committed to excellence and innovation in the defense sector, where your expertise will directly impact national security efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 6+ years of experience or 10 years without a degree.
• Strong background in orbital mechanics and satellite operations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct orbital analysis for space situational awareness and mission planning.
• Lead efforts to plan and execute space-related test events.

Skills

Orbital Mechanics

Collision Avoidance (COLA)

Satellite Operations

Scripting (Python, MATLAB)

Analytical Skills

Leadership Skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or related field

Graduate Degree

Tools

Automated Analysis Tools

Flight Safety Tools

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 Technologies is the Trusted Disruptor in the defense industry. 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, Systems Engineer – Flight Safety Test Coordinator and Team Lead (Active TS/SCI w/ CI Poly Required)

Job Code: 23137

Job Location: Springfield, VA

Job Description:

L3Harris Technologies has an opening for a Flight Test Coordinator and Team Leader for an important National Security program.

We are seeking a highly motivated and mission-focused individual to support orbital analysis and space test integration efforts within a dynamic operational environment. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and collaborative coordination to contribute to both real-time operations and long-term planning across the national security space enterprise.

As part of a multidisciplinary team, the ideal candidate will support the planning, execution, and assessment of space-based mission activities, with a focus on orbital behavior analysis, tool validation, and test event support. A strong foundation in space systems, analytical tools, and mission operations is critical to success in this position.

This role requires strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of Orbital Mechanics, Collision Avoidance (COLA), satellite operations, and the ability to operate in a dynamic, high-tempo environment.

Essential Functions:

1. Conduct orbital analysis to support space situational awareness, anomaly resolution, and mission planning, leveraging both real-time and predictive modeling techniques.
2. Utilize and evaluate automated analysis tools; conduct thorough testing and vetting of tool outputs to ensure accuracy, reliability, and operational readiness.
3. Develop and maintain operational checklists to support repeatable, reliable mission execution and improve team readiness and consistency.
4. Apply scripting capabilities (e.g., Python, MATLAB) to streamline analysis workflows, automate tasks, and enhance mission planning processes.
5. Demonstrate a strong understanding of spacecraft and vehicle components, including the ability to assess potential vulnerabilities – particularly in systems with optical payloads (e.g., concerns may include stray light contamination, jitter, resolution limitations, or target obscuration from space environmental factors).
6. Support and lead efforts to plan and execute space-related test events at the enterprise level, working with a range of stakeholders and senior decision-makers.
7. Provide technical assessments and feedback on space mission design, operational testing, and post-test analysis activities.
8. Coordinate across multiple government entities to ensure integrated planning, effective execution, and shared situational awareness in space operations.
9. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, demonstrating flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and emerging technologies.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience. 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.
2. Degree in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Optics or related field.
3. Minimum of 6 years’ experience in orbital mechanics, including collision avoidance, and or satellite operations.
4. 3+ years’ experience with systems engineering processes, including vulnerability and/or orbit analysis.
5. 5+ years’ experience with government customers.
6. Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with CI Poly required.

Preferred Additional Skills:

1. Strong networking and interpersonal skills to interface effectively with a diverse range of operators, planners, and senior-level stakeholders.
2. Strong leadership and followership background with the ability to influence, mentor, and lead a diverse team of space professionals.
3. Relevant project management experience leading a team.
4. Relevant experience using flight safety tools.

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