Specialist, Systems Engineer- Watch Officer

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 93,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and disability insurance

401(k) match

Flexible spending accounts

EAP

Education assistance

Parental leave

Paid time off

Company-paid holidays

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies is seeking a Watch Officer to support a critical National Security Program in Springfield, VA. The role focuses on 24/7 operations, SITREPs, and real-time briefings to government leadership.

The ideal candidate holds a TS/SCI with poly, at least 4 years of related experience, and familiarity with satellite operations tools such as STK, MATLAB, and Python. Shift work is required, with advancement opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 4 years of related experience; Graduate Degree or equivalent with 2 years prior related experience; In lieu of a degree, minimum of 8 years of prior related experience.
• Active Top Secret/SCI with CI Poly clearance required.
• At least one year of demonstrated experience in preparing and disseminating SITREP products.
• At least one year of proven experience delivering daily stand-up operational briefings to senior stakeholders and mission partners.

Responsibilities

• Draft and disseminate SITREPs for stakeholders.
• Continuously track mission activities using advanced monitoring tools and brief government customers in real-time.
• Support internal/external exercises and drills.
• Update current operations tools to provide the up-to-date picture.
• Develop and utilize model and simulation tools to analyze satellite operations.
• Provide critical assistance during satellite launch and early orbit operations.
• Participate in daily operations stand-up meetings with updates on priorities and risks.
• Provide inputs for monthly IPRs detailing achievements and challenges.
• Support onboarding of new and enhanced tools.

Skills

SITREP preparation

Briefings to senior stakeholders

Operational tracking

Stakeholder coordination

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Graduate Degree or equivalent

Tools

STK

MATLAB

FreeFlyer

Python

PERL

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 – Watch Officer Job Code: 45914 Job Location: Springfield, Virginia Job Schedule: 5/8 Monday-Friday (Rotating Shifts 1-3)

Job Description

L3Harris Technologies is seeking a Watch Officer to support a critical National Security Program. The successful candidate will join a high-performing team of government and contractor professionals supporting 24/7 operations in a fast-paced environment focused on advancing the customer’s space warfighting mission. As a Watch Officer, the candidate will facilitate unity of effort, enhance space domain awareness, and provide integrated assessment and tracking of ongoing operations to assist government leadership. This role demands close coordination with internal and external stakeholders, along with routine development of mission-focused analysis and operational communication. Our team is cohesive, collaborative, and mission focused. We are regularly tasked with developing operational solutions for unique and unprecedented mission objectives. Operators will train on, operate, and refine processes for advanced tools while also supporting requirements development for future capabilities. We are looking for individuals who proactively identify issues, propose innovative solutions, and help implement continuous improvements. The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic and evolving operational environment, demonstrates exceptional initiative, maintains composure under pressure, and is motivated to grow into leadership or specialized roles within the program. This position supports 24x7 operations and requires shift work. Opportunities for advancement include non-shift work positions.

Essential Functions

• Draft and disseminate Situation Reports (SITREPs) that provide a concise and accurate summary of current operations, mission progress, and significant events to internal/external stakeholders.
• Continuously track mission activities and operational developments using advanced monitoring tools. Summarize and relay updates to government customers in real-time, ensuring that decision-makers have access to the most relevant and accurate information to guide mission-critical decisions.
• Provide support to internal/external exercises and rehearsal of concepts drills.
• Update to current operations tools to provide most up to date current operations picture.
• Develop and utilize model and simulation tools to analyze satellite operations and predict system behavior under various scenarios.
• Provide critical assistance during satellite launch and early orbit operations by contributing technical expertise, operational insights, and real-time support, as required.
• Actively participate in daily operations stand-up meetings to provide updates on ongoing activities, highlight key operational priorities, and address any challenges or risks impacting mission success.
• Provide detailed inputs for monthly in-progress reviews (IPRs), summarizing operational achievements, challenges, and areas requiring attention.
• Support onboarding of new and enhanced tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 4 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree or equivalent with 2 years prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 8 years of prior related experience.
• Active Top Secret/SCI with CI Poly clearance required.
• At least one year of demonstrated experience in preparing and disseminating SITREP products.
• At least one year of proven experience delivering daily stand-up operational briefings to senior stakeholders and mission partners.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Experience supporting or working as part of operations teams, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate in dynamic, high-pressure environments to achieve mission objectives.
• Possess knowledge of, or experience with, space operations, including managing and monitoring satellite systems, performing telemetry analysis, and conducting mission-critical activities such as orbital adjustments, payload operations, and anomaly resolution.
• Experience working with orbital state data and utilizing associated tools such as Systems Tool Kit (STK), MATLAB, FreeFlyer, or similar software. Proficiency in analyzing and interpreting orbital mechanics, satellite trajectories, and mission planning data to support operational and strategic objectives.
• Experience with software languages for scripting, modeling, simulations, and data transfers, including Python, PERL, or similar programming tools.
• Experience with Microsoft Office suite programs, MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Virginia - Greater D.C areas is $92,500 - $171,500.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.

• health and disability insurance
• 401(k) match
• flexible spending accounts
• EAP
• education assistance
• parental leave
• paid time off
• company-paid holidays

LI-TP1

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.