Scientist, Enterprise Space Vehicle Telemetry, Tracking & Command Comms Engineer)

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: Scientist, Systems Engineering (Enterprise Space Vehicle TT&C Comms Engineer) 

Job Code: 20981

Job Location:  Remote or Palm Bay, FL or Rochester, NY or Fort Wayne, IN or San Diego, CA or Colorado Springs, CO

 

Job Description:

L3Harris' Space and Airborne Systems seeks an Enterprise Space Vehicle (SV) Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TT&C) Comms Engineer to join our growing team. The individual in this position will be serve as an Enterprise SV TT&C Lead across the Space Sector at L3Harris, responsible for the technical strategy, execution and mentoring of SV TT&C Engineers. The TT&C Comms engineer is responsible for the systems that enable communicatin between spacecraft and ground stations to ensure that space mission can be monitored and contorlled effectively. These systems are critical for monitoring spacecraft health, tracking its position, and sending commands to control its functions. Creating and maintaining the RF and/or Optical link budgets is a critical skill in this position. This position supports all phases of the program lifecycle: Capture and Proposal, Program Execution and Operations. The Enterprise SV TT&C Lead will be responsible for leading teams of SV level TT&C engineers through the product life cycle activities ranging from initial requirements and architectures, design and development, integration and test and operations. The role will include occasional direct support to Programs and Customers to ensure execution activities of all functional disciplines for existing portfolio programs and new pursuits.

Essential Functions: 

• Establish and standardize SV level TT&C engineering activities for all phases of the program life cycle
• Develop processes for standardizing SV level TT&C requirements derivation and flow down
• Develop guidelines for SV TT&C level trade studies, common analyses and integration activities tailorable for each mission area and program
• Review program SV level TT&C engineering work products for consistency
• Support major technical reviews and failure investigations as an Independent Reviewer
• Mentor and train program SV level TT&C Engineers
• Hold monthly working group meetings across program SV level TT&C engineers to share lessons learned, best practices, ongoing concerns/issues, and potential opportunities
• Ensure engineering excellence on executing programs through consistent and repeatable SV level TT&C engineering activities across the Sector
• Travel as required

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 12 years of prior related experience. Graduate Degree with a minimum of 10 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 19 years of prior related experience.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance
• Experience in following areas:
  • Space Vehicle TT&C performance analysis such as vehicle-level Optical and/or RF link budgets, frequency management, antenna radiation patterns, line of sights and link availability, passive intermodulation, etc.
  • Understanding of impacts associated with atmospheric conditions, atmospheric attenuation, modulation and coding, stability, jitter, and varying conditions that need to be considered to achieve reliable and effective data exchange
  • Leading both internal and external supplier TT&C engineering teams
  • TT&C HW/SW/Firmware integration with hardware, testing, and troubleshooting
  • Leading TT&C engineering teams through all phases of a space program; pursuits and proposal, design and development, integration and test, and operations
  • Experience in mentoring and growing technical staff
  • Experience with space based RF or optical communications systems

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Communications network concepts and protocols
• Test bed and simulator design process
• Well versed in fleshing out physical and functional interface details between all spacecraft and payload electronic components
• Well versed in functions, responsibilities and interconnectivities between SV SW, Ground SW, Test SW and Operations SW
• Familiarity with Digital Engineering and MBSE tools such as DOORs, CAMEO, CREO, JIRA
• Strong track record of executing all phases of space vehicle programs (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PSR, operations, etc.)
• System-level requirements verification including allocation, flow down, analysis, testing, & demonstration
• Ability to make risk-based decisions balancing technical, cost and schedule
• Familiarity with ConOp development
• Accustomed to leading technical engagement with internal and external customers in formal presentations as well as informal table-top discussions
• Excellent communication and presentation skills and the ability to work harmoniously in a team environment with government customers and other contractors
• Proven analytical and troubleshooting skills demonstrated by related work experience
• Strong coordination and organization skills with a focus on details

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Colorado State, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Vermont and New York State is $128,000-$238,000. For California, Seattle, Washington D.C., Maryland Greater Washington D.C. area, the city of Denver, Washington State and New York City, the salary range for this role is $147,000-$273,000. 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. The application window for this requisition is anticipated to close June 30, 2025.

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.

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