Scientist, Systems Engineer

About the role

This role provides consultative‑level technical direction and guides multidisciplinary teams in delivering mission‑critical, end‑to‑end system solutions. The individual will work in complex mission environments, collaborating closely with customers, product owners, and engineering teams to ensure system architectures meet evolving mission needs. As a senior technical leader, the incumbent will architect mission concepts, define system requirements, and develop CONOPS, use cases, and systems‑engineering artifacts across the full system lifecycle.

Essential Functions

• Cognizance of customers’ mission needs and industry base.
• A strong business acumen and knowledge of L3Harris’ technical competencies.
• Capability to interpret or generate Concept of Operations (CONOPS) or Operational Descriptions Document (ODD).
• System architecture principles.
• Sufficient background in proposed technology to assess high‑level performance requirements.
• Aptitude for developing innovative solutions.
• Focus on breadth rather than depth; accesses Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) as needed, leveraging a broad technical network within L3Harris.
• Strong professional verbal and written communication skills.
• Support operational analysis and develop concept of operations, design, and implementation plans.
• Support requirements development, analysis, and management.
• Mission operations requirements development and analysis.
• Coordination with Mission Planners and Operational Users.
• Use software tools, scripting, and software/hardware troubleshooting.
• Support development and evaluation of complex system designs and architectures.
• Develop and deliver presentations to communicate design activity plans and status to internal and external customers.
• Customer mission understanding.
• Design Reference Mission analysis and validation techniques and tools.
• Architecture development, MBSE definition, evaluation, and validation.
• Alignment of solutions within a portfolio of products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 12 years of prior relevant experience.
• Graduate Degree and a minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
• In lieu of a degree, a minimum of 16 years of prior related experience.
• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance.

Preferred Skills

• Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience in systems engineering for complex mission system development programs.
• Experience leading technical execution across the full product lifecycle, including requirements, architecture, integration, verification, validation, and sustainment.
• Experience translating customer needs into system‑level solutions while balancing technical, cost, schedule, and risk considerations.
• Experience developing, deriving, allocating, and managing system, hardware, and software requirements.
• Experience with interface definition, requirements traceability, verification planning, and technical problem resolution.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams and supporting technical reviews, customer interactions, and proposal activities.
• Experience with DOORS or an equivalent requirements management tool.
• Experience developing technical and/or cost proposals.
• Experience using earned value management systems to support program planning and performance measurement.
• Experience developing, maintaining, and executing against integrated master schedules.
• Experience supporting programs with multi‑level security, cybersecurity, or information assurance requirements.

Pay

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Virginia (Greater D.C. area) is $153,000.00 – $284,000.00. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as the final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location.

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