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Senior Specialist, Systems Engineering – Joint Exercise Planner

Springfield, Virginia
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Specialist, Systems Engineering – Joint Exercise Planner (Active TS/SCI with CI Poly Required)
Job Code: 38744
Job Location: Springfield, VA (100% On-site)
Job Schedule: 5/8 Monday-Friday


Job Description:
L3Harris Technologies has an opening for a Joint Exercise Planner that will support the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) by developing and executing exercises that validate operational readiness, refine tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and integrate space and ground equities into joint, interagency, and coalition space events. The planner will work closely with space mission partners, the National Space Defense Center (NSDC), and various Combatant Commands to design realistic scenarios that stress capabilities and improve the resilience of national space systems.
This position requires expertise in exercise planning, operational integration, and SDA mission awareness, with the ability to align agency objectives to the broader space enterprise training and exercise cycle.

Essential Functions:
•    Demonstrated experience with Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC), Joint Planning Process (JPP), or similar frameworks.
•    Design and coordinate SDA-related scenarios in accordance with NRO priorities, Combatant Command directives, and JELC processes.
•    Integrate space and ground mission threads (e.g., protection of highly sensitive satellites, RPO detection, custody management, launch characterization, anomaly resolution, and commercial SDA data integration).
•    Develop injects and storylines that simulate adversary counterspace threats and space operating environment complexities.
•    Serve as the SDA/NRO representative during exercise planning conferences and working groups.
•    Coordinate with Combatant Commands, and interagency partners to ensure client equities are incorporated.
•    Align exercises with client internal training, certification events, and operational rehearsals.
•    Participate as White Cell or Control Cell lead for SDA/NRO vignettes.
•    Manage real-time injects, scenario pacing, and exercise adjudication during execution.
•    Support senior leader engagement by developing tailored briefs, updates, and assessments during events.
•    Develop measures of performance and effectiveness for Space-specific injects and objectives.
•    Produce After Action Reports (AARs) and document lessons learned in JLLIS or NRO repositories.
•    Provide recommendations to refine SDA doctrine, CONOPS, and TTPs based on exercise outcomes.


Qualifications:
•    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 required.
•    5 – 6 years of experience in space operations, intelligence operations, or military/government exercise planning.
•    Willingness and ability to travel up to 50%.


Preferred Additional Skills:
•    Proficiency with planning tools (e.g., JTIMS, JLLIS) and space modeling/simulation tools (STK, ODTK, or similar).
•    Strong MS Office skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Project)
•    Excellent analytical and attention to detail abilities.

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.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.

About L3 Harris

L3 Harris

L3 Harris is one of the largest defense and aerospace companies in the United States, delivering advanced technologies that support missions across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. The company develops communications systems, space payloads, intelligence platforms, electronic warfare capabilities, missile defense technologies, and mission-critical sensors used by the U.S. military, intelligence community, and allied nations around the world.

For job seekers, L3Harris offers opportunities across engineering, software development, cybersecurity, space systems, manufacturing, intelligence, program management, and mission operations. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on advanced technologies that directly support national security. With programs spanning tactical communications, ISR platforms, satellite systems, and defense electronics, employees have the opportunity to contribute to some of the military’s most important capabilities.

Unlike companies focused on a single mission area, L3Harris operates across a diverse portfolio of defense technologies, providing employees exposure to a broad range of programs and technical disciplines. Teams work on everything from secure communications and autonomous systems to space-based sensors and electronic warfare platforms, creating opportunities for both specialization and long-term career growth within the organization.

As governments continue investing in modernization, space capabilities, resilient communications, and advanced sensing technologies, L3Harris remains one of the most important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking a mission-driven career with strong growth opportunities, technical challenges, and direct impact on global security, L3Harris continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

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