2,053,830open jobs
123,026companies
253,663added this week
Browse all
Salary
≈ $128k – $254k per year (Estimated)
Location
In office (Fort Wayne)
Seniority
Architect · 16+ years exp
Visa
H-1B filings in 12 months: 5

Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 1, 2026. First seen by Alion on Nov 1, 2026. L3Harris Technologies scores A on the Alion truth index.

Overview
Company
Impact
Profile match
L3Harris Technologies is an American defense contractor formed in 2019 by the merger of L3 Technologies and Harris Corporation. It builds tactical radios and military communication systems, electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment, space sensors and satellites, night vision devices, and uncrewed surface vessels, and owns the rocket engine maker Aerojet Rocketdyne. Its main customers are the United States Department of Defense and allied governments. The company is headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, United States.

Job Title: Scientist, Optical Engineering

Job Code: 47084

Job Location: Palm Bay, FL

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

Job Description:

This role is part of the L3Harris (LHX) Space Systems Sector within the Space and Mission Systems (SMS) Segment. SMS is the largest and the fastest growing segment within LHX and well postured for continued growth and success in the domain. The products we develop perform a variety of missions for our customers with both space-based and ground-based applications. The Systems Engineers that support these missions lead the technology across the entire system lifecycle. They engage in all the of critical phases and milestone reviews including pursuit, SDR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PSR, and system operation.

The Optical Systems Engineer will support the larger program team performing critical functions such as requirements management, interface management, system design, risk and opportunity management, verification planning, test planning, and leading multiple event-based activities such as RCCAs, FRBs, MRBs, and addressing any open action items. All Systems Engineers must be able to work and lead in collaborative environments, fostering the success of the overall team.

This position is located in Palm Bay, FL: https://careers.l3harris.com/en/florida

Essential Functions:

  • Responsible for applying optical communications and electrical engineering principles to hardware development.
  • Review, develop, analyze, and allocate system requirements for free-space optical communication links and ground terminals.
  • Develop and run performance models, including link budgets, pointing/acquisition/tracking simulations, and mitigation techniques such as adaptive optics.
  • Integrate optical terminals into satellite architectures and collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams on design, testing, and validation.
  • Oversee space hardware development and testing activities.
  • Responsible for leading complex technical teams and programs to successfully deliver hardware on schedule and within scope.
  • Manage and verify system and component requirements using tools such as DOORS or Jama.
  • Managing subcontractors, authoring Statements of Work, and ensuring compliance with program obligations.
  • Responsible for supporting system, module, and sub-assembly testing; troubleshooting; defect resolution; and continuous product and test process improvement.
  • Responsible for evaluating customer needs, conducting design trades, assessing and mitigating program risks, and leading technical input for business pursuits.
  • Must be able to obtain a US DoD Secret security clearance

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 12 years of prior relevant experience in related fields. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 10 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 16 years of prior related experience.
  • Experience with optical design, integration, and test of optical assemblies.
  • Experience leading technical teams.

Preferred Additional Skills:

  • Familiarity with the Space Development Agency (SDA) OCT Standard
  • Experience with MATLAB for data analysis and automation of testing procedures.
  • Familiarity with evaluating and selecting vendors to supply critical components for advanced systems.
  • Experiences with earned value management
  • Experience in using Zemax and/or Code V optical software for advanced design and analysis purposes.
  • Experience with FRED or similar stray light analysis software for evaluating and mitigating optical system interference.
  • Active DoD Secret Security Clearance.
Free account
Stop reading job ads. Get the ones that fit.
One free account turns this page into a shortlist built around your stack, your level and your pay.
Match on every job. Stack, seniority, pay and location, scored against your profile.
2,053,830 open roles. Read straight off company career pages, refreshed every day.
Unlimited applications. Every one you send is tracked in one place, on-site or on a company board.
3 tailored CVs a month. Rewritten for the exact job you are applying to. Included free.
Create a free account Continue with Google
Free forever. No card. Under a minute.

Your match

How well do you fit this role?
Two answers are enough for a real match. No account needed.
Check my fit
Answers stay in this browser until you create an account.

Recommended for you based on this role

Data Science
Similar stack
Same company
Fort Wayne
Data Scientist 2 days ago
$99k – $225k per year · In office · Secret · Full-Time · 5+ years exp · Bachelor's Degree · Arlington
Python
SQL
Databases
MySQL
Databricks
Apache Kafka
AI/ML
Hadoop
Spark
Machine Learning
Apply
$78k – $176k per year · In office · Public Trust · Full-Time · 5+ years exp · Bachelor's Degree · McLean
Python
SQL
Python
pySpark
Databases
Databricks
AI/ML
Spark
DevOps
GitHub Actions
CI/CD
AWS
AWS Lambda
Amazon S3
Analytics
ETL/ELT
Dimensional Modeling
Management
Agile
Apply
Data Engineer, Lead 2 days ago
$78k – $176k per year · In office · TS/SCI · Full-Time · 7+ years exp · Bachelor's Degree · Arlington
Python
SQL
AI/ML
RAG
Feature Store
Apply
$103k – $129k per year · Equity · Hybrid · Full-Time · 8+ years exp · Irving
Python
JavaScript
SQL
Node JS
AI/ML
Copilot
ChatGPT
NLP
DevOps
CI/CD
Jenkins
AWS
GitHub
Management
Agile
Scrum
Apply
PL/SQL Developer 1 day ago
$84k – $125k per year · Hybrid · Full-Time · 5+ years exp · Plano
Java
SQL
Databases
Snowflake
Oracle
DevOps
CI/CD
Amazon S3
Analytics
ETL/ELT
Informatica
Management
Agile
Apply
≈ $83k – $177k per year (Estimated) · In office · 5+ years exp · Bachelor's Degree · Fort Wayne
Apply
≈ $31k – $69k per year (Estimated) · In office · Full-Time · High School Diploma · Fort Wayne
Apply
Hybrid · Fort Wayne
Apply
$58k – $101k per year · Equity · In office · Full-Time · 1+ year exp · High School Diploma · Fort Wayne
Apply
$55k – $109k per year · Remote (United States) · Full-Time · 3+ years exp · High School Diploma · Charlotte · Louisville · Miami · Tallahassee · Sarasota
Apply
See all jobs
This is one of many
2,053,830 more open roles from verified company boards, updated every day.