Lead, Software Engineering
At a glance
Senior Software Engineering role at L3Harris Technologies. San Diego · $135,500–$250,500 base.
techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Turn system requirements and use cases into software architecture, design choices, and implementation plans
- Lead Java and C++ software design, coding, integration, and testing
- Guide technical decisions across programs, recommending tools and improving engineering practices
- Troubleshoot software defects and integration problems, including issues in deployed systems
- Work with customers and engineering teams on requirements, operations, documentation, reviews, and junior engineer mentoring
What you bring
- A bachelor’s degree and at least nine years of relevant experience, or a graduate degree and seven years
- At least five years leading technical work as a software lead, architect, or project-level leader
- An active Secret clearance; relevant experience can substitute for a degree with at least thirteen years in the field
Who this fits
This role suits a senior software engineer ready to lead architecture and delivery while mentoring junior engineers. It is based in San Diego, follows a 9/80 schedule, and includes travel of up to twenty percent.
From the employer
Job Title: Lead, Software Engineering
Job Code: 43870
Job Location: San Diego, CA
Job Schedule: 9/80; 9/80 employees work 9 out of 14 days- totaling 80 hours worked- and have every other Friday off
Job Description:
At L3Harris, our software engineers solve meaningful problems that directly impact missions across the globe. We foster a culture of innovation and value individuals from diverse backgrounds who challenge assumptions, introduce new ideas, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Our teams work across the full engineering lifecycle—from concept and architecture through deployment, sustainment, and evolution of real operational systems.
We’re expanding to meet growing demand in space and airborne technologies, and we’re looking for versatile software engineers who thrive on curiosity, enjoy tackling complex technical challenges, and can contribute across embedded, application and cloud environments.
Day to day, you will collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams on requirements, design, integration, hardware/software interfaces, testing, debugging, and defect resolution across the full software development lifecycle. You will also use a wide range of programming languages, tools, and operating systems to build, evaluate, and document software solutions for embedded and platform-based environments.
Essential Functions:
- Take ownership of system and software architecture: analyze requirements, develop use cases, and translate them into forward‑looking architectural strategies, design decisions, and implementation plans.
- Lead design, implementation, integration, and test using Java and C++
- Serve as a technical point of contact across programs: recommend technologies, champion engineering best practices, and influence process improvements that increase reliability and delivery speed.
- Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve software defects or system integration issues, including support for deployed operational systems
- Collaborate with customers and cross‑functional engineering teams to clarify requirements, support operations, and identify technical improvements
- Produce and maintain technical documentation, participate in design/code reviews, and contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes
- Provide coaching and mentorship to junior engineers, supporting a culture of learning and growth
- Travel up to 20%
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience as a technical lead, software architect, or project-level software leadership role.
- Active Secret Clearance
Preferred Additional Skills:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to support customer interactions
- Strong mastery of object‑oriented design, multi‑threaded programming, concurrency models, synchronization techniques.
- Demonstrated ability to lead architecture decisions and guide teams across embedded, platform, and cloud domains.
- Proactive, self‑driven technical learner with exposure to cloud computing or AI technologies.
- Experience with RTOS environments (e.g., FreeRTOS, Linux) is helpful
- Strong proficiency with modern languages and ecosystems: Java, Python, Rust.
- Experience in space, aerospace, or defense systems.
- Active TS/SCI clearance.
In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California is $135,500 - $250,500. 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
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