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Chief Engineer, Tactical Imaging Portfolio - Space Superiority and Imaging Division

Wilmington, Massachusetts

Job ID 26689
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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: Chief Engineer, Tactical Imaging Portfolio, AgileEO – Space Superiority and Imaging Division

Job Code: 26689

Job Location: Wilmington, MA

Job Schedule: 9/80 (Every other Friday off!)

Relocation: Relocation assistance is available to qualified applicants

Job Description: 

The L3Harris AgileEO – Space Superiority and Imaging Systems Division in Wilmington, MA seeks a Chief Engineer to lead the Tactical Imaging portfolio with expertise in electro-optical / IR payloads, subsystems, and software for space systems to join our growing team. This position reports directly to the Director of Engineering / Business Area Chief Engineer and is responsible for business aligned technology strategy, execution of ongoing customer programs, subject matter expert consulting for programs, and support for engineering initiative deployments / process improvements. This includes all phases of development from pre-award concept development, initial architecture, and development of interfaces and component requirements through design, testing and verification, on to production support.

Learn more about the satellite solutions we provide for government and commercial organizations here: https://www.l3harris.com/capabilities/space

Essential Functions: 

  • Chief Engineer aligned to a portfolio Program Director to act as the primary liaison to the business from the Engineering Function. Significant technical areas of focus within Tactical Imaging portfolio include Optical Systems Engineering, Opto-Mechanical Engineering, Embedded Software Engineering, Integration and Test Engineering, and Electronics Engineering (power, analog, digital, and FPGA).
  • Office of the Chief Engineer Functions:
  • Oversight for program performance (cost, schedule, technical) across the portfolio
  • Lead / establish Independent Review Teams through stage gate approvals while providing technical oversight / consulting
  • Responsible for technical issue resolution, ensure root cause is identified, and corrective actions are executed
  • Engineering point of contact for program accomplishments, issues, highlights and weekly status
  • Ensures readiness for design reviews
  • Support program technical and management leadership, as required
  • Support and lead technical discussions with customers and suppliers, as required
  • Supports new business pursuits through architecture development, technical baseline review, and proposal cost review
  • Drives to prevent unique product implementation at proposal phase/concept design
  • Identify IR&D efforts in alignment with technology roadmaps to create technological differentiators
  • Identifies opportunities for engineering improvements (people, process, and tools)
  • Ensure engineering initiatives are adopted by the business
  • Drive a culture of data-based actions; use existing data/develop tools to create actionable information to drive improvement
  • Lead continuous improvement processes and activities within Engineering
  • Ensure program staffing demand for engineering is defined and documented

Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Optical Science, Physics or related discipline 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, there is a minimum of 16 years of prior related experience.
  • Active Secret Security Clearance required
  • 9+ years’ experience in airborne or space based optical payloads development
  • Prior or current experience leading technology focused research and development projects
  • Prior or current experience leading technical execution teams
  • Prior or current experience with oversight for program performance (cost, schedule, technical)

Preferred Additional Skills:

  • Master of Science (or higher) in Optics, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related field
  • Active Top Secret / SCI security clearance
  • Functional management experience, leading a large team >50 resources across multiple disciplines
  • Space Systems domain ground system knowledge desired
  • Technical knowledge of Space-based Optical Payloads

oOptical architectures for space telescopes and sensors including the use of aspheric and freeform optics

oExperiential understanding of materials for advanced optical payloads (knowledge of advanced materials such as SiC, Low expansion glasses, Be, etc.)

oOpto-mechanical sub-systems for beam steering and control-gimbals, fast steering mirrors, focus and filter wheel mechanisms

oPayload electronics for payload control including servo control electronics, payload command and control, sensor control and on-board processing

oOptical sensor technologies (visible through long-wave IR)

oTelescope and payload sensor manufacturing approaches with an emphasis on multi-unit production

oFlight software and firmware architectures

  • Experience successfully executing multi-site engineering efforts
  • Strong coaching and employee development skills
  • The ability to communicate cross functionally with various levels of leadership including executive levels of technical and business leadership
  • Project Management skills and the ability to organize and manage multiple projects from charter through delivery
  • Effectively work with vendors, subcontractors, customers (both internal and external) and various internal functional departments
  • Technical background in:

oEmbedded Software Engineering

oElectrical Engineering

oOptical Engineering

oMechanical Engineering

oRemote Imaging

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and the Greater D.C, Denver, or NYC areas is $150,000.00 - $278,000.00. 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. 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.

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. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.

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