Lead, Software Engineering

L3Harris Technologies•City of Rochester, NY

2d•$117,000 - $218,000•Onsite

About The Position

L3Harris is seeking a highly experienced Rapid Prototyping Engineer to lead the development of innovative capabilities from concept through demonstration and transition within its Rapid Prototyping Group. The role architects, designs, builds, integrates, tests, and matures quick-turn prototypes supporting proof-of-concept initiatives, emerging technology assessments, customer demonstrations, and early-stage product development. It requires broad engineering expertise spanning systems architecture and design, software and radio architectures, and hardware/software integration. The position operates with a high degree of autonomy and provides technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams. The Lead helps shape solution strategies, drive architectural decisions, and ensure prototypes are scalable, mission-aligned, and positioned for future operational use. The successful candidate is a hands-on technical leader who can balance rapid execution with sound engineering judgment, mentor engineers, evaluate and integrate technologies, and guide efforts through ambiguous requirements and complex technical challenges.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and 9 years of prior experience, or a graduate degree and 7 years of prior experience; in lieu of a degree, at least 13 years of related experience.
Ability to obtain a US Security Clearance.

Nice To Haves

Broad technical knowledge across software, hardware, RF, electrical interfaces, digital design concepts, embedded systems, and system integration for communications and prototype platforms.
Working knowledge of software development practices and tools, including embedded and Linux-based environments, debugging, and integration; experience with C, C++, Python, Rust, or other relevant technologies.
Familiarity with radio architectures, tactical communications systems, waveforms, networking interfaces, and operational applications relevant to military or mission-focused communications environments.
Strong understanding of rapid prototyping processes, including iterative development, risk reduction, fast-turn integration, design trade studies, and tradeoffs among speed, performance, scalability, and technical rigor.
Experience applying AI/ML tools and techniques across the development lifecycle, including prototype enhancement, automation, model development, training, or decision-support applications.
Working knowledge of networking concepts, protocols, and troubleshooting, including IP-based systems, device configuration, integration, and emerging communications technologies such as 5G.
Additional relevant experience may include FPGA or HDL development, microcontrollers, Linux kernel work, low-level communication interfaces, digital signal processing, test automation, or system bring-up and integration.

Responsibilities

Translate emerging concepts, customer needs, and experimental objectives into functional prototype and demonstration capabilities for advanced military communications systems.
Provide technical leadership in shaping technical approaches, architectures, and implementation strategies.
Architect, design, develop, integrate, test, and refine multidisciplinary prototypes spanning software, hardware, radio, and system-level elements.
Lead the design, implementation, integration, testing, and technical demonstration of complex subsystem- and system-level capabilities, from initial concept through working demonstration.
Apply knowledge of software architectures, radio architectures, systems architecture and design, and hardware/software integration to evaluate technical options, identify tradeoffs, and mature concepts into operationally relevant capabilities.
Troubleshoot complex technical issues across software, hardware, and integrated system interfaces; use development, test, and debug tools to isolate root causes and drive resolution with minimal oversight.
Collaborate with software, hardware, RF, mechanical, field testing, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams to evaluate interfaces, operational requirements, and technical constraints.
Influence solution direction and advance concepts into demonstrable capabilities.
Communicate technical progress, issues, risks, tradeoffs, and recommended paths forward to team members, leadership, customers, and end users.
Exercise advanced engineering judgment and work independently in a fast-paced development environment.