Title:  Senior Specialist, Systems Engineer - Flight Safety Test Coordinator and Team Lead

Job Title: Senior Specialist, Systems Engineer – Flight Safety Test Coordinator and Team Lead (Active TS/SCI w/ CI Poly Required)

Job Code: 23137

Job Location: Springfield, VA 

Job Description:

L3Harris Technologies has an opening for a Flight Test Coordinator and Team Leader for an important National Security program.

We are seeking a highly motivated and mission-focused individual to support orbital analysis and space test integration efforts within a dynamic operational environment. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and collaborative coordination to contribute to both real-time operations and long-term planning across the national security space enterprise.

As part of a multidisciplinary team, the ideal candidate will support the planning, execution, and assessment of space-based mission activities, with a focus on orbital behavior analysis, tool validation, and test event support. A strong foundation in space systems, analytical tools, and mission operations is critical to success in this position.

This role requires strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of Orbital Mechanics, Collision Avoidance (COLA), satellite operations, and the ability to operate in a dynamic, high-tempo environments.

 Essential Functions:

• Conduct orbital analysis to support space situational awareness, anomaly resolution, and mission planning, leveraging both real-time and predictive modeling techniques.
• Utilize and evaluate automated analysis tools; conduct thorough testing and vetting of tool outputs to ensure accuracy, reliability, and operational readiness.
• Develop and maintain operational checklists to support repeatable, reliable mission execution and improve team readiness and consistency.
• Apply scripting capabilities (e.g., Python, MATLAB) to streamline analysis workflows, automate tasks, and enhance mission planning processes.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of spacecraft and vehicle components, including the ability to assess potential vulnerabilities – particularly in systems with optical payloads (e.g., concerns may include stray light contamination, jitter, resolution limitations, or target obscuration from space environmental factors).
• Support and lead efforts to plan and execute space-related test events at the enterprise level, working with a range of stakeholders and senior decision-makers.
• Provide technical assessments and feedback on space mission design, operational testing, and post-test analysis activities.
• Coordinate across multiple government to ensure integrated planning, effective execution, and shared situational awareness in space operations.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, demonstrating flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and emerging technologies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
• Degree in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Optics or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in orbital mechanics, including collision avoidance, and or satellite operations.
• 3+ years’ experience with systems engineering processes, including vulnerability and/or orbit analysis.
• 5+ years’ experience with government customers.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with CI Poly required.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Strong networking and interpersonal skills to interface effectively with a diverse range of operators, planners, and senior-level stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and followership background with the ability to influence, mentor, and lead a diverse team of space professionals.
• Relevant project management experience leading a team.
• Relevant experience using flight safety tools.

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