Lead, Systems Engineer - Space Vehicle

Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related STEM field and at least 9 years of relevant experience; alternatively, a graduate degree and at least 7 years of relevant experience, or 13 years of related experience in place of a degree.
• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance.
• Preferred: Experience leading space vehicle systems engineering for government, civil, or commercial satellite programs.
• Preferred: Background in spacecraft integration and test, environmental qualification, launch site operations, or resolving on-orbit anomalies.
• Preferred: Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering, requirements management tools, and configuration management practices.
• Preferred: Knowledge of system-level performance analysis, including image, thermal, structural, end-to-end performance, or reliability analysis.
• Preferred: Understanding of space vehicle design across orbital regimes, including radiation, space charging, thermal, telecommunications, power, propulsion, and disposal considerations.
• Preferred: Familiarity with mission analysis and trades such as concepts of operations, day-in-the-life analysis, coverage maps, and revisit rates.
• Preferred: Understanding of the functions and interrelationships of space, ground, and launch segments.
• Preferred: Active security clearance.
• Preferred: Experience developing spacecraft, satellites, or other complex aerospace systems, with system- or vehicle-level responsibility.
• Preferred: Experience in requirements management, interface control, system integration, verification and validation, and technical baseline management across the product lifecycle.
• Preferred: Ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams, communicate technical issues to leadership and customers, and support work in a multi-site development environment.

Responsibilities:

• Lead space vehicle systems engineering for satellite programs from concept development through design, integration, testing, launch, and mission operations support.
• Develop, decompose, allocate, and manage spacecraft requirements from system level through subsystems and components.
• Coordinate engineering work across systems, payload, avionics, flight software, mechanical, thermal, power, propulsion, guidance and control, integration and test, and mission operations teams.
• Develop and maintain the space vehicle architecture, technical baseline, and interface definitions to support compatibility and mission success.
• Direct system-level trade studies, performance analyses, and design decisions involving capability, cost, schedule, reliability, and risk.
• Lead system integration, verification, validation, and test planning to confirm compliance with program requirements and mission objectives.
• Support major technical reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and FRR, as well as post-launch readiness activities; present technical status to internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify, evaluate, and mitigate technical risks and opportunities related to spacecraft design, manufacturing, integration, environmental testing, and launch vehicle interfaces.
• Work with program management, production, quality, supply chain, and subcontractors to deliver the space vehicle successfully.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to systems engineers and multidisciplinary teams, promoting disciplined engineering and continuous improvement.

Technologies:

• Support
• Security

More

We are L3Harris, a defense technology company delivering end-to-end solutions across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains in support of national security missions. Our Spectral Solutions division is hiring a Lead Systems Engineer – Space Vehicle to support space-based missile warning and missile defense programs. The role is based onsite in Palm Bay, Florida, with a 9/80 schedule that provides every other Friday off. We offer an inclusive, engaging workplace focused on professional growth, work-life success, community, and excellence. We are an equal opportunity employer, maintain a drug-free workplace, and may conduct pre-employment substance testing and background checks where permitted by law. Some positions require security clearance, which may be granted only to U.S. citizens; conditional offers may involve government security investigations. We may share applicant materials with our affiliates when considering candidates for other openings, and we participate in E-Verify.

last updated 43 week of 2026