Senior Specialist, Systems Engineer - Mission Planner

L3Harris•Palm Bay, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

L3Harris Technologies is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Mission Planner to support space mission operations for a multi-satellite constellation in a dynamic, 24/7 operational environment. The role develops and executes mission plans, coordinates spacecraft activities, and leads a small operational crew to support safe, efficient, mission-focused execution. It requires understanding of satellite command and control, mission planning, operational risk management, and cross-functional coordination. The Mission Planner serves as the on-shift operational lead, overseeing mission execution, resolving scheduling conflicts, and coordinating responses to off-nominal conditions across a 16-vehicle constellation. The role exercises operational judgment and leadership while managing competing mission priorities in a time-sensitive environment. The position is based in Palm Bay, Florida, and follows a 9/80 schedule. Rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and surge operations may be required as mission needs dictate. Occasional travel to Huntsville, Alabama, or Grand Forks, North Dakota, may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior relevant experience; or a graduate degree and a minimum of 2 years of prior related experience; or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 8 years of prior related experience.
Active Secret security clearance.
At least 3 years of experience working with spacecraft operations, telemetry monitoring, ground station scheduling, communication windows, and command execution processes.
At least 3 years of experience supporting anomaly response, operational troubleshooting, incident documentation, and established escalation procedures.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Neptune Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C), Virtual Mission Operations Center (VMOC), or OCEAN software applications.
Previous experience as a Mission Planner, Shift Lead, Crew Lead, Flight Controller, or Spacecraft Operator with operational leadership responsibilities.
Experience supporting Low Earth Orbit (LEO) spacecraft, multi-satellite operations, or proliferated satellite constellations.
Familiarity with flight dynamics products, orbital maneuver planning, conjunction screening, and mission timeline integration.
Experience coordinating spacecraft activities across engineering, payload operations, ground systems, flight dynamics, and external mission partners.
Knowledge of operational readiness testing, mission simulations, rehearsals, and on-console qualification or certification processes.
Experience developing operational procedures, reviewing command products, and improving mission planning or execution processes.
Familiarity with anomaly resolution processes, root cause investigations, corrective action development, and operational lessons learned.
Active Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

Lead real-time mission planning and execution activities supporting a multi-satellite constellation in a 24/7 operational environment.
Direct and coordinate a three-person shift crew, ensuring disciplined execution of scheduled spacecraft operations and mission activities.
Develop, validate, and maintain daily and long-range mission plans, including satellite contacts, payload operations, maneuver windows, and contingency activities.
Serve as the on-shift operational decision authority within established procedures and delegated authorities, managing routine operations, execution risks, and initial anomaly response.
Maintain situational awareness of spacecraft health, mission timelines, ground network availability, communication windows, and operational constraints across a 16-vehicle constellation.
Identify and resolve mission scheduling conflicts, competing priorities, and operational constraints to maintain mission continuity.
Coordinate shift turnovers and ensure accurate transfer of spacecraft status, mission priorities, unresolved issues, and time-critical activities.
Collaborate with engineering, flight dynamics, payload operations, ground systems, and program leadership to translate mission requirements into executable operational plans.
Review and approve command products, operational procedures, and mission schedule changes within established authorization limits.
Lead initial anomaly assessment and operational response activities, coordinating troubleshooting and escalation through established mission processes.
Ensure compliance with operational procedures, configuration management, mission assurance requirements, and applicable safety standards.
Maintain accurate operational logs, mission execution records, anomaly documentation, and shift activity reports.
Participate in operational readiness reviews, mission rehearsals, simulations, and post-event assessments to improve mission performance and crew proficiency.
Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, mission planning processes, and crew readiness.
Support rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and surge operations as mission requirements dictate.
Travel occasionally to Huntsville, Alabama, or Grand Forks, North Dakota, as required.