Specialist, Project Engineer (Propulsion Controls, Electronics and Software)

We are seeking a Level 3 Project Engineer to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of electronics and software development efforts for propulsion controls systems in the defense and aerospace industry. This role is responsible for coordinating cross-functional engineering teams developing mission-critical control solutions for propulsion applications, including embedded electronics, control software, system integration, and verification activities. The ideal candidate brings a strong technical foundation, disciplined program execution skills, and experience working in highly regulated, safety-critical environments.

Essential Functions:

• Lead electronics and software development projects for propulsion control systems from concept through integration, verification, qualification, and production support.

• Coordinate cross-functional teams including electrical, software, systems, mechanical, test, quality, manufacturing, and program management.

• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, technical milestones, risk registers, and action item tracking for propulsion controls programs.

• Manage day-to-day execution of hardware and software development activities to ensure technical, cost, schedule, and quality objectives are met.

• Support requirements decomposition, interface definition, design reviews, and verification planning for propulsion control electronics and embedded software.

• Drive issue resolution across design, integration, and test activities, including root cause and corrective action coordination.

• Monitor project risks and opportunities, identify recovery plans when needed, and communicate status clearly to leadership and customers.

• Ensure compliance with internal engineering processes, customer requirements, contractual obligations, and applicable aerospace and defense standards.

• Facilitate technical reviews, customer meetings, milestone presentations, and decision-making forums.

• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior engineers and project contributors within assigned scope.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field.

• 5+ years of relevant experience in aerospace, defense, avionics, embedded systems, controls, or propulsion-related programs.

• 5+ year of experience leading or coordinating engineering development projects involving electronics, embedded software, or integrated control systems.

• 5+ years of experience with product development lifecycle activities, including requirements, design, integration, verification, validation, and configuration management.

• 5+ years of experience with propulsion control systems, embedded controllers, sensor/actuator interfaces, or engine control electronics/software.

• 5+ years of experience with managing schedules, technical risks, dependencies, and cross-functional communication in a structured engineering environment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presentation of technical and program status to internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Experience with engine control systems, thrust vector control, electro-mechanical actuation, ignition control, sensors or other propulsion-related subsystems.

• Experience working in a safety-critical development environment with standards such as DO-178, DO-254, MIL-STD, or equivalent aerospace/defense frameworks.

• Familiarity with requirements and project tools such as DOORS, Jira, Microsoft Project, Earned Value concepts, or similar systems.

• Background in embedded software development, control electronics, hardware/software integration, or system test.

• Master’s degree in engineering or technical discipline.

Key Traits for Success

• Strong technical judgment with the ability to bridge engineering detail and program execution.

• Organized, proactive leader who can keep complex development efforts aligned and moving forward.

• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-accountability, mission-critical defense aerospace environments.

• Collaborative mindset with a focus on disciplined execution, clear communication, and reliable delivery.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, 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 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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