Senior Specialist, Systems Engineering - Joint Exercise Planner

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 107,000 - 198,000; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies, Inc. is seeking a Senior Specialist, Systems Engineering – Joint Exercise Planner in Springfield, VA.

The role supports the National Reconnaissance Office by developing and executing exercises that validate readiness, refine TTPs, and integrate NRO equities into joint and interagency space events. Responsibilities include designing scenarios, coordinating with NRO partners, and producing AARs, briefs, and assessments for leadership engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience; Graduate Degree and minimum 4 years; in lieu of a degree, at least 10 years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrated experience with Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC), Joint Planning Process (JPP), or similar frameworks.
• Design and coordinate SDA‑related scenarios in accordance with NRO priorities and JELC processes.
• Integrate NRO mission threads (e.g., protection of highly sensitive satellites, RPO detection, custody management, launch characterization, anomaly resolution, data integration).
• Develop injects and storylines that simulate adversary counterspace threats and space operating environment complexities.
• Serve as the SDA/NRO representative during exercise planning conferences and working groups.
• Coordinate with Combatant Commands and interagency partners to ensure NRO equities are incorporated.
• Align exercises with NRO training, certification events, and operational rehearsals.
• Participate as White Cell or Control Cell lead for SDA/NRO vignettes.
• Manage real‑time injects, scenario pacing, and exercise adjudication during execution.
• Support senior leader engagement with tailored briefs and assessments.
• Develop measures of performance and effectiveness for NRO injects and objectives.
• Produce After Action Reports and document lessons learned in JLLIS or NRO repositories.
• Provide recommendations to refine SDA doctrine, CONOPS, and TTPs based on outcomes.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree / 6+ years experience

Graduate Degree / 4+ years experience

10 years experience in lieu of degree

Tools

JTIMS

JLLIS

STK

ODTK

Excel

PowerPoint

Project

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 Engineering – Joint Exercise Planner
Job Code: 45879
Job Location: Springfield, Virginia
Job Schedule: 5/8 Monday-Friday

Job Description: L3Harris Technologies has an opening for a Joint Exercise Planner that will support the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) by developing and executing exercises that validate operational readiness, refine tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and integrate NRO equities into joint, interagency, and coalition space events. The planner will work closely with NRO mission partners, the National Space Defense Center (NSDC), and various Combatant Commands to design realistic scenarios that stress capabilities and improve the resilience of national space systems. This position requires expertise in exercise planning, operational integration, and SDA mission awareness, with the ability to align NRO objectives to the broader space enterprise training and exercise cycle.

Essential Functions:

• Demonstrated experience with Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC), Joint Planning Process (JPP), or similar frameworks.
• Design and coordinate SDA‑related scenarios in accordance with NRO priorities, Combatant Command directives, and JELC processes.
• Integrate NRO mission threads (e.g., protection of highly sensitive satellites, RPO detection, custody management, launch characterization, anomaly resolution, and commercial SDA data integration).
• Develop injects and storylines that simulate adversary counterspace threats and space operating environment complexities.
• Serve as the SDA/NRO representative during exercise planning conferences and working groups.
• Coordinate with Combatant Commands, and interagency partners to ensure NRO equities are incorporated.
• Align exercises with NRO internal training, certification events, and operational rehearsals.
• Participate as White Cell or Control Cell lead for SDA/NRO vignettes.
• Manage real‑time injects, scenario pacing, and exercise adjudication during execution.
• Support senior leader engagement by developing tailored briefs, updates, and assessments during events.
• Develop measures of performance and effectiveness for NRO‑specific injects and objectives.
• Produce After Action Reports (AARs) and document lessons learned in JLLIS or NRO repositories.
• Provide recommendations to refine SDA doctrine, CONOPS, and TTPs based on exercise outcomes.

Qualifications:

• 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.
• Active Top Secret/SCI with CI Poly required.
• 4+ years of experience in space operations, intelligence operations, or military/government exercise planning.
• Up to 50% travel CONUS/OCONUS

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Proficiency with planning tools (e.g., JTIMS, JLLIS) and space modeling/simulation tools (STK, ODTK, or similar).
• Strong MS Office skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Project)
• Excellent analytical and attention to detail abilities.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Virginia - Greater Washington, D.C. Area is $106,500 - $197,500.00. 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.

#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.