Sr Scientist, Systems Engineering (Space Vehicle Fault Management)

Harris Geospatial Solutions; Colorado Springs (CO); Remote; USD 157,000 - 291,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Sr Scientist in Systems Engineering to lead fault management for space vehicles. This role involves developing and implementing strategies to detect, isolate, and recover from faults at the spacecraft level, ensuring robust operations through all program phases. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in fault management engineering and a strong background in space vehicle operations. Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to excellence and innovation in the defense sector, where your expertise will directly impact national security initiatives and technology solutions.

Benefits

Health and Disability Insurance

401(k) Match

Flexible Spending Accounts

Education Assistance

Parental Leave

Paid Time Off

Company-Paid Holidays

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in fault management engineering and space vehicle operations.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical teams in developing fault management strategies for space vehicles.
• Identify failure modes and develop fault trees for spacecraft operations.

Skills

Fault Management Engineering

Space Vehicle Operations

Fault Detection Algorithms

Reliability Models

Technical Documentation

Mentoring

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering

Graduate Degree

Tools

DOORs

CAMEO

CREO

JIRA

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 Technologies is the Trusted Disruptor in the defense industry. 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: Sr Scientist, Systems Engineering (Space Vehicle Fault Management)

Job Code: 22387

Job Location: Remote or Palm Bay, FL or Rochester, NY or Ft. Wayne, IN or Colorado Springs, CO or San Diego, CA

Job Description:

L3Harris' Space and Airborne Systems seeks a Space Vehicle (SV) Fault Management Engineer to join our growing team. The individual in this position will serve as an SV Fault Management Engineer Lead across the Space Sector at L3Harris, responsible for reviewing supplier fault management designs and/or designing, developing, and implementing fault detection, isolation, and recovery strategies at the SV level. This includes all phases of the program lifecycle: Capture and Proposal, Program Execution and Operations. The SV Fault Management Engineer will be responsible for leading technical teams of spacecraft bus, mission payload, communication payload and systems engineers through the product life cycle activities ranging from initial requirements and architectures, design and development, integration and test and operations. The role will include direct support to Programs and Customers to ensure execution activities of all functional disciplines for existing portfolio programs and new pursuits.

Essential Functions:

• Identifying potential failure modes and developing fault trees to understand the impact of system failures on spacecraft operations
• Standardize SV level Fault Management engineering activities for all phases of the program life cycle
• Standardizing SV level fault management requirements derivation and flow down
• Develop guidelines for SV level fault management trade studies, analyses and integration activities tailorable for each mission area and program
• Review and/or develop program SV level fault management engineering work products for consistency
• Support major technical reviews and failure investigations as a fault management subject matter expert
• Mentor and train SV level fault management engineers
• Share lessons learned, best practices, ongoing concerns/issues, and potential opportunities across similar programs
• Ensure engineering excellence on executing programs through consistent and repeatable SV level fault management engineering integration activities across the Sector
• 25% travel as required

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 15 years of prior related experience. Graduate Degree with a minimum of 13 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 19 years of prior related experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or adjacent field.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• High level of prior experience in following areas:
• On-orbit operations of space vehicles
• Space vehicle fault management architectures and designs
• SV level fault analysis methodologies including reliability models and FMEA/FMECAs
• Integrating fault detection algorithms and diagnostic capabilities into space vehicle avionics and software systems to enable real-time monitoring and response to anomalies
• Developing procedures and algorithms for autonomous or operator-assisted responses to system faults, including reconfiguration, redundancy management, and safe mode operations
• Planning and executing simulations and tests to validate fault management strategies and ensure the robustness of the spacecraft’s response to anomalous conditions
• Generating technical documentation, procedures, and guidelines for fault management operations and training spacecraft operators on anomaly response procedures.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Familiarity with test bed and simulator design process
• Familiarity with ConOp development
• Familiarity with SW engineering processes such as Agile/Waterfall, DevSecOps, Continuous Integration as well as SW development related to embedded/RT/architecture patterns
• Familiarity with Digital Engineering and MBSE tools such as DOORs, CAMEO, CREO, JIRA
• Strong track record of executing all phases of space vehicle programs (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PSR, operations, etc.)
• System-level requirements verification including allocation, flow down, analysis, testing, & demonstration
• Ability to make risk-based decisions balancing technical, cost and schedule
• Leading both internal and external supplier engineering teams
• Accustomed to leading technical engagement with internal and external customers in formal presentations as well as informal table-top discussions
• Excellent communication and presentation skills and the ability to work harmoniously in a team environment with government customers and other contractors
• Proven analytical and troubleshooting skills demonstrated by related work experience
• Experience in mentoring and growing technical staff
• Strong coordination and organization skills with a focus on details
• Strong track record of leading fault management engineering teams through all phases of a space program; pursuits and proposal, design and development, integration and test, and operations

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Colorado State, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Vermont and New York State is $157,000-$291,000. For California, Seattle, Washington D.C., Maryland Greater Washington D.C. area, the city of Denver, Washington State and New York City, the salary range for this role is $180,500-$335,000. 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. The application window for this requisition is anticipated to close June 30, 2025.

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.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer.