Scientist – Ground Systems Architect - Palm Bay, FL

Job Title: Scientist, Ground Systems Architect

Job Code: 46660

Job Location: Palm Bay, Florida

Job Schedule: 9/80

Job Description:

This position serves as a System Architect for Ground Systems, providing recognized technical leadership and advanced systems engineering expertise across multiple responsive space programs within the Space and Mission Systems Segment of L3Harris Technologies, supporting the Surveillance Systems Division. The role is responsible for architecting complex, mission-critical ground system solutions that integrate with space-based assets and associated subsystems to meet evolving customer and mission needs. Operating as a senior individual contributor and technical authority, this position leads the definition of system architecture, drives key design decisions, and influences program technical direction across the full system lifecycle, including concept development, capture, requirements analysis, architecture development, integration, verification, deployment, and operations.

At the Scientist Level, this role applies deep domain knowledge and broad systems thinking to resolve highly complex technical challenges, establish architectural vision, and ensure ground system designs are robust, scalable, maintainable, secure, and operationally effective. The System Architect leads cross-functional engineering efforts spanning requirements management, networking and infrastructure details, Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), interface definition and control, functional allocation, performance analysis, technical trade studies, integration strategy, verification and validation planning, and test architecture development. This position plays a key role in major technical and program reviews, including pursuit efforts, SDR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PSR, and transition to operations, while also leading resolution of significant technical issues and program risks through structured engineering processes such as RCCAs, FRBs, MRBs, and action item closure.

This role requires the ability to work with a high degree of independence, provide technical mentorship, influence internal and external stakeholders, and lead collaborative teams in the development of innovative ground system architectures across one or more programs simultaneously. The successful candidate will be expected to shape system-level solutions, contribute to strategic growth initiatives, and serve as a trusted technical leader in support of critical national security and mission operations objectives.

Essential Functions:

• Lead the architecture, design, and technical execution of space ground systems supporting mission operations, payload operations, command and control, communications, data processing, and system integration.
• Define and manage end-to-end ground system architectures to ensure alignment with mission objectives, customer requirements, operational concepts, and interface needs across space, ground, and user segments.
• Translate customer, mission, and operational needs into system architecture solutions, performance requirements, and technical baselines for ground system implementation.
• Lead development, decomposition, allocation, and verification of system and subsystem requirements using requirements management tools such as DOORS and Jama.
• Evaluate and integrate technical parameters across hardware, software, networking, communications, cybersecurity, and operational interfaces to ensure compatibility and mission success.
• Conduct architecture trades, technical assessments, and design analyses to support selection of ground system concepts, technologies, and implementation approaches.
• Provide technical leadership to cross-functional engineering teams through design, integration, test, verification, deployment, and operational transition of complex ground systems.
• Support integration and troubleshooting of ground system elements, working closely with software, hardware, test, operations, and program teams to resolve technical issues and improve system performance.
• Interface with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Manufacturing, Cybersecurity, and other supporting organizations to resolve defects, manage technical issues, and drive solutions to root cause.
• Generate, review, and maintain technical documentation including architecture descriptions, interface control documents, test procedures, engineering specifications, reports, analyses, and Engineering Change Orders.
• Apply Model Based Systems Engineering methodologies and tools, including CAMEO and MagicDraw, to support architecture development, system modeling, interface definition, and requirements traceability.
• Identify, evaluate, and mitigate technical, integration, cost, and schedule risks associated with ground system development and deployment.
• Support fixed-price government programs by managing technical scope and architecture decisions consistent with cost, schedule, and performance objectives.
• Contribute to business development, capture, and proposal activities through development of technical concepts, solution architectures, and basis-of-estimate inputs.
• Lead and mentor technical teams in the development and implementation of complex space and ground architectures, promoting disciplined systems engineering practices and effective cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree 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, minimum of 16 years of prior related experience.
• Active TS/SCI clearance

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Experience with space ground systems and space vehicle operation
• Experience with space ground design, integration, and test

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