Senior Specialist, Systems Engineer - Space Vehicle

Harris Geospatial Solutions; Indiana, Northern (PA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies is seeking a Senior Specialist, Systems Engineer for space vehicle programs in Palm Bay, FL. The role focuses on system architecture, requirements, and lifecycle support across payload, bus, software, ground, and mission elements.

The ideal candidate will have strong systems thinking and experience with aerospace or defense programs, and the ability to lead cross‑functional teams through design, integration, and test activities.

Qualifications

• BS in a STEM field with 6+ years of relevant experience, or graduate degree with 4+ years (or 10 years of related work).
• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Support space vehicle‑level systems engineering from concept through design, integration, testing, launch, and operations.
• Develop and decompose spacecraft system requirements to subsystems and components.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams to ensure program success and system compatibility.
• Lead technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and manage risk and traceability.

Skills

Systems engineering

Aerospace engineering

Requirements development

Interface management

Risk assessment

System integration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related STEM

Graduate degree (MS/PhD) in a related field

Tools

MBSE

Requirements management tools

Configuration management

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, Systems Engineer – Space Vehicle
Job Code: 44453
Job Location: Palm Bay, Florida
Job Schedule: 9/80 (Every Other Friday Off!)

Job Description

The L3Harris Spectral Solutions division is seeking a Systems Engineer to support space vehicle–level development for missile warning and missile defense missions. This role contributes to the technical planning, requirements development, integration, verification, and lifecycle support of advanced space-based systems supporting critical national security objectives. The Systems Engineer works across multidisciplinary teams to help define, allocate, and manage interfaces among payload, bus, software, ground, and mission elements in alignment with program goals and customer needs. This position supports system architecture trades, technical assessments, and risk identification to help deliver balanced solutions that meet performance, schedule, cost, and mission assurance requirements. The role assists in translating mission needs into system and subsystem requirements and helps maintain traceability throughout design, integration, and test activities. The Systems Engineer may lead small technical efforts or coordinate with cross‑functional contributors to resolve system‑level issues and support program execution. This position also contributes to verification and validation planning, anomaly resolution, configuration management, and technical reviews across the space vehicle lifecycle. The ideal candidate brings strong systems thinking, collaboration, and communication skills, along with experience supporting complex aerospace or defense programs in a team‑oriented engineering environment.

Essential Functions

• Support space vehicle‑level systems engineering for satellite programs from concept development through design, integration, test, launch, and mission operations support.
• Contribute to the development, decomposition, allocation, and management of spacecraft system requirements to subsystem and component levels.
• Coordinate with cross‑functional technical teams including systems, payload, avionics, flight software, mechanical, thermal, power, propulsion, guidance and control, integration and test, and mission operations to support successful program execution.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of the space vehicle architecture, technical baseline, and interface definitions to help ensure system compatibility and mission success.
• Perform system‑level trades, performance analyses, and technical assessments affecting spacecraft capability, cost, schedule, reliability, and risk.
• Support system integration, verification, validation, and test planning to ensure compliance with program requirements and mission objectives.
• Participate in major technical reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR, and post‑launch readiness activities, and communicate technical status to internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify, assess, and help mitigate technical risks and opportunities associated with spacecraft design, manufacturing, integration, environmental test, and launch vehicle interfaces.
• Collaborate with program management, production, quality, supply chain, and subcontractor teams to support successful execution of the space vehicle build and delivery.
• May lead small technical efforts and provide guidance to less experienced engineers while supporting disciplined engineering execution and continuous improvement.
• Job is onsite in Palm Bay, Florida

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related STEM discipline and a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience; or a Graduate degree and a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Experience supporting space vehicle systems engineering on government, civil, or commercial satellite programs.
• Experience supporting spacecraft integration and test, environmental qualification, launch site operations, or on‑orbit anomaly resolution.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), requirements management tools, and configuration management processes.
• Familiarity with System‑level performance analysis (e.g., image analysis, thermal analysis, structural analysis, end‑to‑end performance, reliability analysis)
• Strong understanding in space vehicle design considerations in various orbital regimes: radiation, space charging, thermal, telecom, power, propulsion, disposal, etc.
• Familiarity with top level mission analysis and trades such as conops, DITL, coverage maps, revisit rates, etc. in support of mission formulation
• Well versed in functions, responsibilities and interconnectivities between Space Segment, Ground Segment and Launch Segment
• Active security clearance
• Experience in spacecraft, satellite, or other complex aerospace system development with responsibility at the subsystem, system, or vehicle level.
• Experience with requirements management, interface control, system integration, verification and validation, and technical baseline management across the product lifecycle.
• Ability to work effectively across cross‑functional engineering teams, communicate technical issues clearly to leadership and customers, and support execution in a multi‑site development environment.

#LI-ZB1

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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