Senior Project Engineer

At L3Harris, this role sits at the center of turning chemical propulsion hardware into accepted, test-proven deliverables that are ready for space. This is a strong fit for an engineer who likes real hardware responsibility, thrives in a cross-functional environment, and enjoys bringing clarity to ambiguous technical problems. You will work closely with customers, manufacturing, test, quality, and business capture teams. You will also work across engineering disciplines to drive the reviews, inputs, and technical alignment needed to keep hardware and customer deliverables moving. Your impact will be visible in shipped hardware, successful hot-fires, and propulsion systems that reach space, the Moon, and Mars. If you want extensive ownership, close teamwork, and the opportunity to turn hard work into thrusters that power real spacecraft, we encourage you to apply.

Essential Functions:

• Own day-to-day technical execution of in-space chemical thruster projects through production and test for development, qualification, and commercial programs. Work in close coordination with program management, manufacturing, and test to accelerate issue resolution.

• Drive closure of nonconformances, production issues, and test anomalies with technical rigor and deep understanding of your propulsion products. Maintain working partnerships with quality.

• Coordinate and review work across engineering disciplines such as systems, structures, thermal, and drawing development. Drive the inputs, reviews, and document completion needed to support customer deliverables and program commitments.

• Author the technical documentation required to move hardware forward. This includes test plans, procedures, reports, and anomaly documentation.

• Provide clear and timely technical responses to customer technical questions. Topics may include hardware status, issue resolution, and test results. Partner with program management to maintain customer relationships.

• Prepare and lead formal presentations and reports for customer communication and gated product reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.). Presentations may include technical recommendations, trade studies, and issue summaries.

• Serve as an engineering point of contact and reviewer for proposals. Develop technical inputs and review scope assumptions for applicable engines or hardware efforts.

• Analyze and review hotfire test data to ensure thrusters conform to product line standards and customer specifications. May need to support testing in-person and provide quick judgment calls to support program needs within technical bounds.

• No routine travel is expected for this role.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Physics and a minimum of 4 years of prior project engineering experience; or a Graduate Degree and a minimum of 2 years of prior project engineering experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 8 years of prior project engineering experience.

• 4+ years of experience supporting development, production, integration, qualification testing, or delivery of complex hardware in aerospace, marine, or similar high-reliability engineering environments.

• 4+ years of experience in at least one of the following areas is required: production support or qualification/development testing; experience in both is preferred.

• 4+ years of experience owning technical work and driving closure with strong cross-functional relationships.

• Strong technical foundation and ability to work effectively across engineering disciplines. This includes reviewing technical inputs from areas such as systems, structures, thermal, and design documentation.

• 4+ years of experience authoring technical documentation such as procedures, reports, nonconformance dispositions, or engineering presentations.

• Ability to take ownership of ambiguous problems, quickly assess evolving requirements and customer feedback, and determine next steps needed to move hardware forward.

• Proven capacity to deliver results in a fast-paced, technically complex setting by leveraging strong engineering expertise, adaptability, and collaborative problem-solving skills.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Strong technical communication with customers, leadership, and cross-functional teams in a fast-moving hardware environment.

• Prior experience with propulsion development or hot-fire testing.

• Experience with anomaly investigation, nonconformance disposition, and root cause analysis. Experience with corrective action or out-of-plan manufacturing support in a hardware environment is preferred.

• Familiarity with propellant and material compatibility, contamination-sensitive hardware handling, and spacecraft propulsion integration practices

• Demonstrated leadership in managing conflicting priorities while providing product/process expertise in multi-disciplinary project teams

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Washington State is $92,500 - $171,500. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

L3Harris announced on January 5th, that AE Industrial Partners (“AE Industrial”) has agreed to acquire a controlling interest in L3Harris’ Space Propulsion and Power Systems business. This position has been identified as one that will transition to the new standalone company upon closing of the transaction. Until that time, L3Harris will continue its hiring activity within this business

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

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