Lead, Software Engineering

L3Harris•Rochester, NY

4d•Onsite

About The Position

L3Harris is seeking a highly experienced Rapid Prototyping Engineer to lead 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 for proof-of-concept initiatives, emerging technology assessments, customer demonstrations, and early-stage product development. It calls for a broad engineering background spanning systems architecture and design, software and radio architectures, and hardware/software integration. The engineer will work autonomously and provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams, shaping solution strategies, guiding architectural decisions, and helping ensure prototypes are scalable, mission-aligned, and suitable for future operational use. The position calls for a hands-on technical leader who can mentor engineers, assess and integrate new technologies, balance speed with sound engineering judgment, and guide work through ambiguity, changing requirements, and complex technical challenges. The work supports advanced military communications systems.

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 prior related experience.
Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.
Working knowledge of software development, radio architectures, systems architecture and design, hardware/software integration, and prototype development.

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.
Understanding of rapid prototyping processes, including iterative development, risk reduction, fast-turn integration, design trade studies, and tradeoffs involving speed, performance, scalability, and technical rigor.
Experience applying AI/ML tools and techniques across the development lifecycle, including prototype enhancement, automation, model development and 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 with 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, and provide technical leadership in selecting approaches, architectures, and implementation strategies.
Architect, design, develop, integrate, test, and refine multidisciplinary prototypes spanning software, hardware, radio, and system-level elements.
Lead 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 issues across software, hardware, and integrated system interfaces using appropriate development, test, and debug tools; identify root causes and resolve issues with minimal oversight.
Collaborate with software, hardware, RF, mechanical, field testing, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams to assess interfaces, operational requirements, and technical constraints and advance concepts into demonstrable capabilities.
Communicate technical progress, issues, risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations to team members, leadership, customers, and end users.
Exercise advanced engineering judgment and operate independently in a fast-paced development environment.