Lead, Flight Test Field Engineer

L3Harris Technologies•Ashburn, VA

21h•$105,500 - $196,500•Onsite

About The Position

L3Harris Agile Development Group (ADG) is seeking a Lead Field Engineer to join its Flight Test and Evaluation team, supporting Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Launched Effects capabilities, including deployable mission effects for precision kinetic strike and electronic warfare. The Lead UAS Field Engineer is the senior technical field representative for developmental flight testing, end-user integration, and training. Working across laboratory and field environments, this role leads complex test and fielding activities and serves as a primary interface among engineering teams, customers, end-users, and test-range personnel. This mission-focused, highly technical position calls for comprehensive UAS systems knowledge, sound engineering judgment, and strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. The role provides technical leadership for event planning, system integration and readiness, complex troubleshooting, maintenance strategy, training, and customer support. The Lead UAS Field Engineer works with minimal oversight toward established objectives, resolves ambiguous system-level issues, leads important cross-functional initiatives, and drives improvements to field-engineering practices, systems, and processes. The position is based onsite in Ashburn, Virginia, and follows a 9/80 schedule: employees work 9 out of every 14 days, totaling 80 hours, with every other Friday off. Travel within and outside the continental United States may be required up to 50% of the time.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or another relevant technical discipline and at least 9 years of relevant experience; or a graduate degree and at least 7 years of relevant experience; or, in lieu of a degree, at least 13 years of relevant experience.
Active U.S. TS/SCI security clearance.
Ability to move 51 pounds unassisted or 100 pounds as part of a two-person team.

Nice To Haves

Military experience or experience supporting military customers.
Expertise in UAS and launched-effects operations, aviation fundamentals, mission planning, systems integration, and test-range operations.
Experience leading developmental or operational test activities in a high-tempo, high-consequence environment.
Experience with systems engineering, complex equipment integration, configuration management, and technical risk management.
Experience conducting root-cause analysis and developing corrective actions for complex hardware, software, communications, or system-integration issues.
Experience generating technical work summaries, discrepancy reports, test reports, readiness assessments, and customer-facing technical briefings.
Experience monitoring and analyzing telemetry data, developing test approaches, and leading technical test briefings and debriefings.
Experience serving as a technical liaison to customers, end-users, engineering teams, and external operational stakeholders.
Experience developing, improving, and implementing field procedures, maintenance strategies, training materials, or technical standards.
Knowledge of basic explosive hazard controls and system safety.
Familiarity with OSHA requirements and ESD best practices.
Strong hands-on mechanical, electrical, and troubleshooting skills, including computer networking and the ability to interpret schematic diagrams and technical documentation.
Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor technical personnel, prioritize work across multiple programs, and communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

Lead technical planning, integration, execution, and post-event assessment for developmental UAS flight tests, launched-effects integration, and field deployments.
Serve as the primary technical field liaison among engineering teams, customers, end-users, test-range personnel, and other external stakeholders; communicate system status, risks, technical decisions, and recommended actions.
Lead cross-functional resolution of complex UAS and launched-effects system, subsystem, software, firmware, ground-control, communications, and test-support issues; conduct root-cause investigations and drive corrective actions.
Define and manage field-engineering readiness plans, technical objectives, acceptance criteria, configuration baselines, and deployment risks for assigned programs and test events.
Oversee system assembly, inspection, setup, configuration, preflight checkout, maintenance, and readiness activities, providing hands-on technical support as needed.
Lead setup, integration, operation, and troubleshooting of ground control stations, antenna systems, telemetry links, and test-support equipment, including software and firmware updates and configuration management.
Evaluate operational and test data, identify performance trends, and recommend changes to product design, test strategy, field procedures, and customer-support approaches.
Establish, improve, and implement field-engineering processes, technical standards, work instructions, and readiness practices to improve mission performance and reduce operational risk.
Lead technical briefings and debriefings for program leadership, engineering teams, customers, and operational stakeholders; communicate findings and recommendations clearly.
Provide senior-level remote and on-site customer support, including issue resolution, technical escalation, corrective-action follow-through, and post-event engagement.
Train end-users and customer-support personnel in maintenance, operation, troubleshooting, and safe use of UAS, launched-effects capabilities, user interfaces, and proprietary software; assess proficiency and address knowledge gaps.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to field technicians, field engineers, and other team members; review work products and support team capability development.
Coordinate technical aspects of field logistics, equipment preparation, shipping, and deployment readiness across multiple programs; ensure equipment, documentation, and personnel are prepared for scheduled events.
Represent L3Harris professionally in customer, end-user, and test-range interactions, building working relationships and encouraging sound technical practices and solutions.
Work occasional shifts of 12 or more hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and short-notice work as operational demands require.
Travel CONUS and OCONUS up to 50% of the time.