Senior Specialist, Systems Engineer Mission Protection Specialist

L3Harris•Springfield, MO

14h

About The Position

L3Harris Technologies is currently seeking a Specialist, Systems Engineer – Mission Protection Specialist to support a high-visibility, mission-critical national security program. This position is responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating threats to space, cyber, and ground systems supporting U.S. government missions. The ideal candidate will apply operational security (OPSEC), counterintelligence, cyber defense, and threat principles to protect sensitive capabilities to ensure the survivability of U.S. assets in contested environments. Conduct mission protection assessments to identify vulnerabilities across space, cyber, and ground architectures. Collaborate with mission planners, operators, and mission partners to integrate protection strategies throughout the system lifecycle. Support the development of mitigation plans and help implement countermeasures aligned with mission assurance priorities. Coordinate with DoD and IC stakeholders to ensure protection efforts are synchronized with national-level guidance and classification policies. Develop and maintain program-specific threat models, Concept of Operations (CONOPS), and risk management frameworks. Contribute to red/blue team assessments, tabletop exercises, and program security reviews. Prepare briefings and documentation for senior leadership on threat assessments, mitigation strategies, and mission assurance outcomes. Ability to obtain and maintain a crew operations certification. Able to work independently and collaboratively in classified operations centers, supporting 24/7 mission requirements when needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
Active Top Secret/SCI with CI Poly clearance required.
Experience with threat modeling, vulnerability analysis, and risk management.
Experience working with or supporting a Weapons and Tactics (W&T) team, with familiarity in integrating protection strategies.

Nice To Haves

Graduate of Air Force Weapon School or Advance Instructor Course (AIC).
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience briefing senior stakeholders.
DoD/NRO Systems Liaison / Field Representative.
Strong Orbital Mechanics Background.
System Tool Kit (STK) Level 2/3 Certification; Orbit Determination Tool Kit (ODTK).

Responsibilities

Identifying, assessing, and mitigating threats to space, cyber, and ground systems supporting U.S. government missions.
Apply operational security (OPSEC), counterintelligence, cyber defense, and threat principles to protect sensitive capabilities to ensure the survivability of U.S. assets in contested environments.
Conduct mission protection assessments to identify vulnerabilities across space, cyber, and ground architectures.
Collaborate with mission planners, operators, and mission partners to integrate protection strategies throughout the system lifecycle.
Support the development of mitigation plans and help implement countermeasures aligned with mission assurance priorities.
Coordinate with DoD and IC stakeholders to ensure protection efforts are synchronized with national-level guidance and classification policies.
Develop and maintain program-specific threat models, Concept of Operations (CONOPS), and risk management frameworks.
Contribute to red/blue team assessments, tabletop exercises, and program security reviews.
Prepare briefings and documentation for senior leadership on threat assessments, mitigation strategies, and mission assurance outcomes.
Ability to obtain and maintain a crew operations certification.
Able to work independently and collaboratively in classified operations centers, supporting 24/7 mission requirements when needed.