Scientist, Business Chief Engineer - Space Superiority and Imaging Division (EO/IR Space Payloads)

L3Harris' Space and Mission Systems is seeking a Chief Engineer with expertise in research & development for electro-optical payloads, subsystems, and software for mid to large aperture national, civil, and commercial space systems. The person in this position will be deployed as an Innovation Chief Engineer for a large business area within L3Harris, responsible for the technical strategy and technical execution of ongoing customer-funded efforts.

About the role

The Innovation Chief Engineer will lead all phases of technology development from mission and technology roadmapping, planning and execution of internal R&D, identifying and assisting with capture of external R&D, through technology insertion and implementation. This role also identifies broader functional needs for insertion and successful implementation of new technologies, including process improvements and capital needs.

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge of national, civil, and commercial space imaging missions to develop sensors, payloads, and space vehicles.
• Provide leadership on optical, electrical, and mechanical assemblies, and drive consistency within technology roadmaps and architectures in area of focus.
• Drive innovation in technical competencies like segmented optical systems, composite optics, smart payloads, and on-board processing.
• Work with business development and business area leads to create and maintain technology roadmaps.
• Develop and determine an execution plan for R&D projects consistent with the technology roadmaps, in alignment with XIS business strategy.
• Identify IR&D, CR&D, and process improvement efforts in alignment with technology roadmaps to create technology differentiators.
• Provide mentorship to develop lower-level engineering staff into future SMEs.
• Responsible for technical leadership and management of current R&D projects.
• Identify areas of common technology needs across the division by working with other Innovation CEs within SSID.
• Interface with Universities and Industrial partners for collaboration on development.
• Identify emerging technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or similar technical field or equivalent and a minimum of 15 years of prior relevant experience.
• Graduate Degree and a minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
• 3+ years of functional management experience, leading a large team (>50 resources) across multiple disciplines.
• Professional experience working with EO/IR space payloads.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance required.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Strong multi-disciplinary technical breadth in Space and Optical Systems.
• Understanding of precision optical component and subsystem requirements generation, manufacturing, and testing.
• Ability to quickly understand missions, customer sets, and drive strategy.
• Experience in technical issue resolution, ensuring root cause is identified.
• Experience with NDAs, Master Research Agreements, and other partnership agreements consistent with co-development projects.
• Experience with development of detailed R&D plans and execution strategies.
• Experience with or understanding of earned value metrics.
• Experience successfully executing multi-site development efforts.
• Able to present results and communicate with customers and senior management.

Pay

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Colorado state, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York state, and Vermont is $133,000.00 - $247,000.00. 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.

Schedule

9-80 (Every other Friday off)

Benefits

• Health and disability insurance
• 401(k) match
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Education assistance
• Parental leave
• Paid time off
• 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.

Relocation assistance is available to qualified applicants.