Senior Specialist, Systems Engineer - Flight Safety Test Coordinator
L3HARRIS Technologies
Springfield, VA · Posted October 9, 2026
Just laid off? Start here: a plan for the first weeks
See every open role at L3HARRIS Technologies
More in Virginia job market · Aerospace & Defense · Engineering jobs
More roles at L3HARRIS Technologies
- Senior Manager, Program Management (PMX Leader & Chief of Staff) · Melbourne, FL
- Principal, Contracts · Salt Lake City, UT
- Senior Principal, Global Trade Compliance Counsel · Melbourne, FL
- Sr. Manager, Systems Engineering · San Diego, CA
- Principal, Supply Chain Program Management · Fort Wayne, IN
- Director, Aerospace Engineering · Waco, TX
Similar jobs
- Principal Systems Engineer – Space Superiority Missions · Northrop Grumman · Dulles, VA
- Systems / Principal Systems Engineer · Northrop Grumman · Chantilly, VA
- Systems Engineer, Associate Principal · Astrion Group · Dahlgren, VA
- Principal Engineer - Digital Platforms · Hancock Whitney · Gulfport, MS
- Staff IT Systems Engineer- Palmdale, Ca- Secret Required · Sikorsky Aircraft · Palmdale, CA
- JSE Lead Cloud-Cyber Architect · Flightsafety Defense · Fort Worth, TX
Where Springfield, VA ranks
Where Springfield, VA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Best cities for mid-career professionals76% · of 100
- #1Best cities for mid-career professionals in the Mid-Atlantic76% · of 85
- #1Best cities for mid-career professionals in the Southeast76% · of 87
- #11Best cities for pay after cost of living in Virginia$129k · of 15
- #13Best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the Southeast54 / 100 · of 33
- #14Best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the Mid-Atlantic55 / 100 · of 37
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
Among computer occupations, all other, AI is already used for a large share of the tasks. Measured exposure for computer occupations, all other: 31% (high).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Skills this job asks for
Say which you have and which you want to build. We use it to match you to jobs like this one.
About the job
Job Title: Senior Specialist, Systems Engineer – Flight Safety Test Coordinator Job Code: 45885 Job Location: Springfield, Virginia Job Schedule: 5/8 Mon - Friday
Job Description: L3Harris Technologies has an opening for a Flight Test Coordinator 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 space domain awareness background, 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. • Relevant project management experience leading a team. • Relevant experience using flight safety tools. • 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.
In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Virginia - Greater Washington, D.C. Area is $106,500 - $197,500.00. 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.
#LI-ZB1