Scientist, Ground Systems Architect (Palm Bay, FL)
About The Position
This position serves as a System Architect for Ground Systems, providing technical leadership and advanced systems engineering expertise across multiple responsive space programs within L3Harris Technologies’ Space and Mission Systems Segment, supporting the Surveillance Systems Division. The role architects complex, mission-critical ground system solutions that integrate with space-based assets and associated subsystems to meet customer and mission needs. Operating as a senior individual contributor and technical authority, the Scientist leads system architecture definition, design decisions, and program technical direction throughout the system lifecycle—from concept development and capture through requirements analysis, architecture development, integration, verification, deployment, and operations. The role applies deep domain knowledge and broad systems thinking to solve complex technical challenges and establish robust, scalable, maintainable, secure, and operationally effective ground system designs. The System Architect leads cross-functional engineering efforts involving requirements management, networking and infrastructure, 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. The position contributes to major technical and program reviews and leads resolution of significant technical issues and program risks through structured engineering processes. It requires independent judgment, technical mentorship, stakeholder influence, and leadership of collaborative teams developing ground system architectures across one or more programs. The successful candidate will shape system-level solutions, contribute to strategic growth initiatives, and support national security and mission operations objectives.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 12 years of prior relevant experience; or a graduate degree and a minimum of 10 years of prior related experience; or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 16 years of prior related experience.
- Active TS/SCI clearance.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with space ground systems and space vehicle operation.
- Experience with space ground design, integration, and test.
Responsibilities
- 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 aligned with mission objectives, customer requirements, operational concepts, and interfaces 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 tools such as DOORS and Jama.
- Evaluate and integrate technical parameters across hardware, software, networking, communications, cybersecurity, and operational interfaces.
- Conduct architecture trades, technical assessments, and design analyses to support ground system concept, technology, and implementation decisions.
- Provide technical leadership to cross-functional engineering teams through design, integration, test, verification, deployment, and operational transition.
- Support integration and troubleshooting of ground system elements and work 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 address root causes.
- Generate, review, and maintain architecture descriptions, interface control documents, test procedures, engineering specifications, reports, analyses, and Engineering Change Orders.
- Apply MBSE methodologies and tools, including CAMEO and MagicDraw, for architecture development, system modeling, interface definition, and requirements traceability.
- Identify, evaluate, and mitigate technical, integration, cost, and schedule risks related to 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 by developing technical concepts, solution architectures, and basis-of-estimate inputs.
- Lead and mentor technical teams developing and implementing complex space and ground architectures, promoting disciplined systems engineering and cross-functional collaboration.
- Participate in major technical and program reviews, including pursuit efforts, SDR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PSR, and transition to operations.
- Lead resolution of significant technical issues and program risks through processes such as RCCAs, FRBs, MRBs, and action item closure.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
