Senior Specialist, Systems Engineering (Optical)

L3Harris Technologies; Palm Bay (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in Palm Bay, FL seeks an experienced Optical Systems Engineer to support program teams across requirements, design, verification, and testing. You will lead multiple activities (RCCAs, FRBs, MRBs) and ensure seamless integration of optical terminals into satellite architectures.

The role requires collaboration with engineering, operations, and quality teams, with potential for a Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or related field; 6+ years experience (or 4+ with graduate degree)
• Graduate Degree in a related field adds value; significant prior related experience may substitute
• Experience with space/defense systems is a plus

Responsibilities

• Manage requirements and interfaces across system levels
• Lead design trades and technical decisions for optical systems
• Coordinate verification and test planning and execution
• Support risk and opportunity management and milestone reviews
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across Space Systems Sector

Skills

Optical communications

Requirements management

System design

Testing & verification

Collaboration

SOW development

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or related field

Graduate Degree (MS/PhD) in relevant field

Tools

DOORS

Jama

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 Systems Engineering
Job Code: 42467
Job Location: Palm Bay, FL
Job Schedule: 9/80
Job Description: The Optical Systems Engineer will support the 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 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.
Essential Functions:

• Responsible for optical communications, electrical engineering principles, and application into hardware
• Evaluate customer and operational needs to help define and coordinate system performance requirements, integrate technical parameters and assure compatibility of all physical, functional and program interfaces
• Supporting the integration of optical terminals into satellite architectures, collaborating with engineering teams on system design, testing, and validation.
• Work with requirements management software such as DOORS, Jama
• Support test and troubleshooting of systems, modules and sub-assemblies of RF modules, working directly with program engineering personnel as required
• Interface with Engineering, Operations, Quality and other supporting functions to drive defect resolution to root cause
• Generate and implement improvements in product and test design and methodologies to reduce cost, increase yield, and improve throughput
• Generate and review the technical content of test procedures, drawings, engineering specifications, reports, Engineering Change Orders, and other documentation
• Execute design trades to support technical decisions
• Participate in and potentially lead business pursuit efforts
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and a 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,

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Familiarity with the Space Development Agency (SDA) OCT Standard
• Experience allocating requirements for free-space optical communication links and ground terminals.
• Experience leading complex technical teams and programs to deliver hardware
• Experience authoring Statements of Work (SOW) for vendors to propose

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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