Specialist, Systems Engineer - Spacecraft Operator

L3Harris Technologies; Palm Bay (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies seeks a Spacecraft Operator to support day-to-day mission operations for a Leo satellite with an infrared payload, coordinating with the Palm Bay team and the primary operations group. The role requires hands-on TT&C experience, telemetry analysis, and anomaly resolution to sustain mission readiness.

The selected candidate will provide operational guidance, develop procedures, and brief program leadership, customers, and engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 4+ years of related experience; higher degree preferred.
• 2+ years operating in a SOC or space operations environment.
• Active Secret Clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Support TT&C activities, including spacecraft commanding and monitoring health.
• Develop and execute day-to-day operational plans, timelines, and procedures.
• Analyze telemetry to identify trends, anomalies, and corrective actions.
• Coordinate with distributed teams and customers for mission success.
• Prepare technical and operational briefings for leadership and operators.

Skills

Spacecraft ops

TT&C

Telemetry analysis

Operational planning

Anomaly resolution

Team coordination

Real-time guidance

Communications

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Graduate Degree

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

Specialist, Systems Engineer – Spacecraft Operator

Job Code

44429

Job Location

Palm Bay, Florida

Job Schedule

9/80 (Every Other Friday Off!)

Job Description

L3Harris Technologies is seeking a Spacecraft Operator to support mission critical national security space operations within the Spectral Solutions Enterprise. The selected candidate will support day-to-day operations of a LEO satellite with an infrared (IR) payload, working in coordination with the primary operations team located at our Palm Bay operations facility. The role requires hands-on experience with spacecraft Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C) operations, telemetry analysis, spacecraft commanding, operational planning, and anomaly identification and resolution. The individual will serve as a remote operational interface supporting data transfers, operational guidance, mission briefings, customer coordination, and the development and testing of operational products. The position requires an individual capable of independently assessing spacecraft and ground-system information, providing technically sound operational recommendations, and coordinating activities between geographically separate operations teams, engineering organizations, and the customer.

Essential Functions

• Experience supporting spacecraft or satellite operations, preferably within an operational command-and-control or satellite operations center (SOC) environment.
• Experience performing Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C) activities, including spacecraft commanding and monitoring spacecraft health and status.
• Experience conducting telemetry (TLM) analysis to identify spacecraft performance trends, off-nominal conditions, and potential anomalies.
• Experience supporting spacecraft commanding, including command preparation, validation, execution support, and post-command verification.
• Experience supporting LEO spacecraft operations, with small satellite experience highly desirable.
• Experience developing and supporting day-to-day spacecraft operational plans, procedures, timelines, and mission activities.
• Demonstrated experience identifying, troubleshooting, and supporting the resolution of spacecraft, payload, ground-system, or mission anomalies.
• Ability to interpret operational data and provide real-time or near-real-time technical and operational guidance to spacecraft operators.
• Experience supporting operational data transfers and ensuring mission data and operational products are properly coordinated between geographically separated sites.
• Ability to develop, validate, and maintain operational products, including procedures, checklists, plans briefings, and technical documentation.
• Experience supporting product development, integration, verification, and test activities prior to operational implementation.
• Ability to prepare and deliver technical and operational briefings to program leadership, mission operators, engineering teams, and customers.
• Ability to operate effectively with a geographically distributed operations team and provide remote support to the primary mission operations location.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex spacecraft and mission information into actionable operational guidance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 4 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 2 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 8 years of prior related experience.
• 2+ years’ experience developing and executing operational test plans, test procedures, readiness activities, and verification events.
• 2+ years’ experience operating in a SOC or relevant operational environment executing space operations.
• Active Secret Clearance required.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Previous experience supporting similar on-orbit Infrared satellite missions.
• Experience working directly with government customers and cross-functional engineering, operations, and program teams.
• Experience developing professional presentations using Microsoft Office applications, effectively communicating past performance, current operational status, and future mission activities and objectives.
• Experience conducting anomaly investigations, root-cause analysis, and development of operational workarounds or corrective actions.

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.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.