Chief Engineer

Company: L3 Harris
Location: Northampton
Posted on: November 27, 2025

Job Description:

Job Description L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers' mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do. L3Harris Technologies is the Trusted Disruptor in the defense industry. With customers' mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security. Job Title: Chief Engineer Job Code : 30244 Job Location: Northampton , MA Schedule: 9/80 Job Description: The Maritime Imaging Systems (MIS) Business Unit Chief Engineer is responsible for delivering the technical, cost, and schedule performance of the engineering content for a program portfolio. MIS is a Business Unit within L3Harris' Undersea Systems Division comprised of Submarine, Surface ship, and UxV maritime imaging systems. The MIS Business Unit Chief Engineer provides technical leadership, establishing and directing all aspects of the business unit engineering policies, objectives, and initiatives based on long-term product and profitability goals. S/he is responsible for maintaining adequate resources for all engineering functions in the pursuit of the portfolio's strategic goals and operational plans. S/he will supervise and develop program engineering leaders. The Chief Engineer is responsible for shaping, developing, and leading an engineering team in execution of the Engineering content of the program and will be the primary engineering representative to the MIS business working closely with the MIS General Manager. The position requires flexibility to manage multiple customer requirements (cost, schedule, technical capabilities), while using analytical and strategic skills to guide the engineering team to successful program deliveries of customer needs. A key part of this role is to work collaboratively across organizational boundaries and ensure programs are smoothly transitioned to production and deployment phases. The successful candidate is an experienced technical and business professional who is able to focus simultaneously on near and long term objectives. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES \n Build, develop, and lead a 100-person cross-functional engineering team to execute programs meeting requirements on budget and schedule. \n Manage and lead a group of 3-6 Program Chief Engineers who are responsible for individual program execution within the business portfolio. \n Maintain accountability of technical, cost, and schedule for project execution across the business portfolio including both customer funded and Internal Research and Development (IRAD) efforts. \n Decision maker for high level / high impact engineering technical issues. \n Planning and execution of product development, from proposal to product definition, production transition, and sustainment to meet portfolio goals and objectives. \n Establish the engineering staffing demands and work plans for the business and collaborate with the functional engineering organization (matrix organization) to ensure appropriate resources are assigned to execute programs in accordance with time limitations and funding. \n Review and approve Estimates to Completes (ETC) of the engineering content for all programs within the business. \n Represent engineering organization with major customers and stakeholders through clear communication. \n Directly collaborate with the Business General Manager. \n Work to achieve annual business objectives including revenue and overhead budget management. \n Work and communicate effectively with all functions at all levels of the organization. \n Develop and support a culture of continuous improvement and best practices. \n Plan and implement engineering process improvements. \n Guide and review Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) efforts. \n Use tools such as Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) and engineering metrics to analyze program performance and apply corrective actions. \n Maintain a climate fostering a high level of employee motivation, performance, and commitment. \n Support new business pursuits and proposal cost reviews to ensure proper technology readiness, Design to Cost, and resource alignment. \n \n Basic Qualifications: \n A Bachelor's degree in Engineering with a minimum of 12 years of prior relevant experience; A Master's degree in Engineering or a Master of Business Administration with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience leading cross functional engineering teams (including at least one assignment leading a 40 person engineering team) through program lifecycles from proposal to production and sustainment. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 16 years of prior related experience. \n Active DoD Secret Clearance, which requires US Citizenship. \n Experience transitioning development programs through qualification to low-rate production. \n Good working knowledge of Control Account Management (CAM) and Earned Value Management, Risk and opportunity management, as well as understanding and reporting of engineering metrics. \n Prior experience operating within an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment as a Program Chief Engineer or equivalent. \n Bid/Proposal experience including technical volume writing and BOE review and approval. \n Program baselining experience including review and approval of WBSs, work packages, Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and budgets. \n Working knowledge and experience implementing disciplined System Engineering Processes. \n Experience presenting high-stakes technical briefs to internal and external stakeholders. \n \n Desired Qualification: \n Design for Excellent (DfX) experience; Design for Manufacturability (DfM) in particular. \n Experience transforming a team to implement disciplined and rigorous engineering processes to successfully execute programs on cost and schedule. \n Undersea / Subsea Systems expertise and experience. \n Optical systems experience. \n Fixed price development program execution experience. \n International defense development program execution experience. \n DoD development programs execution experience. \n Experience as an engineering discipline functional manager. \n Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) experience. \n \n In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role is $158,000- $260,000. 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. 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 .

Keywords: L3 Harris, Allentown , Chief Engineer, Engineering , Northampton, Pennsylvania