Senior Specialist, Systems Engineering - Technology & Strategy Development

Job Title: Senior Specialist, Systems Engineering – Technology & Strategy Development

Job Code: 16387

Job Location: Palm Bay, Florida

Job Schedule: 9/80 Work Schedule – (Every other Friday is a non-workday.)

Job Description:

The Tech and Strategy Development Sr Specialist works to define IRAD project review plans, provide key enablers, drive execution of the review schedule, identify and resolve issues, and increase the skills and knowledge of the Engineering organization in IRAD execution and project management. This individual will lead the IRAD initiation and close-out processing across the Segment, ensuring compliant activities across all projects. This role will work closely with the Technology Strategy Sr. Director to increase knowledge and understanding of IRAD management best practices and procedures. This position is responsible for ensuring structured project management for all IRAD projects within the Segment, including active risk management and intellectual property identification. This role includes assessment of tools to gauge deployment and implement key actions to deliver business goals. To be successful, an individual must overcome the obstacles of change and have a strong ability to create a centralized IRAD execution review and close-out process, while articulating the future state and benefits of tools. The Segment CheckPoint Manager must have an engaging leadership style with the analytical ability to assess current state and gaps to enable project improvements and issue resolution. This person must have a detailed focus for accurate reporting to enable successful implementation. This role will report directly to the Technology Strategy Sr. Director.

Essential Functions:

• Manage all aspects of the L3Harris’ Integrated Mission Systems (IMS) Segment Checkpoint process.
• Ensure business cases for projects within the IRAD portfolio and that the Segment adheres to the corporate-wide Checkpoint process.
• Maintain the IRAD portfolio of projects and optimize IRAD funding to grow the IMS Segment business.
• Support development of segment investment strategies and assist in the development of senior executive level presentations to communicate these strategies.
• Execute the Checkpoint process for the Integrated Mission Systems Segment IRAD portfolio (~60 projects, ~$130M/year).
• Communicate IR&D review plans, projects, status, issues, and actions to the leadership team.
• Guide teams to execution within FAR criteria for IR&D expense.
• Provide process execution guidance, training, and templates.
• Facilitate IRAD Checkpoint reviews, record key meeting notes and actions.
• Work with Government auditors to support any reporting or other information they need.
• Coordinate DTIC Submittal per the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
• Monitor projects for Out of Bounds status per their Project Authorization Agreement.
• Attend Monthly reviews and capture summary and actions.
• Facilitate project closeout and startup process at the FY boundary.
• Project financial tracking.
• Risk Management.
• Intellectual Property portfolio management.
• Monitor compliance and color of money.
• Address special compliance concerns related to cross-segment or cross-company projects.
• Monthly status reporting and Corporate HQ reporting.
• Portfolio Management Tool accuracy/updates.
• Manage to the established IR&D budget.
• Be a business partner with Sectors and Divisions.
• Work directly with the Sector and Division IRAD leads to ensure good alignment of IR&D activities.
• Challenge teams to ensure we have the optimum IR&D plans.
• Review status of the IR&D project portfolio and recommend changes.
• Serve as SME for IRAD Project Execution and Management and train others to use these techniques.
• Coach and lead practical problem-solving activities including the collation and analysis of data, root cause analyses, design of experiments, and lead projects to implement change for complex problems.
• Liaise with other Segment IRAD Portfolio Managers for best practices.
• Monitor execution progress using assessment tools and help define the strategic goals to continue to move the organization forward.
• Work with segment architects to develop investment strategies that align with segment pursuit and financial strategies.

Job Qualification Requirements:

• 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.
• United States Citizenship required with ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance.
• 6 years’ experience working with large multi-site functional teams to manage project status, preferably in the engineering area.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously; possesses strong organization and prioritization skills.
• Ability to teach, mentor, and coach people on IRAD management approaches.
• Experience with management of hardware and software technology investments.
• Strong facilitator to help support monthly IRAD Projects Reviews.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong technology strategy skills with the ability to understand and evaluate emerging technologies and their potential business use cases.
• Experience producing executive summaries and metrics for progress reporting and to communicate opportunities.
• Comfortable working in a high volume, fast-paced, rapidly changing, results-oriented work environment.
• Experience working with Intellectual Property.
• Experience working with technology investment portfolios.
• Experience working with coordinating with multiple teams and leading a common process.
• Experience working with IRAD Project Management.
• Experience working with the Checkpoint process.

Working Conditions:

• Able to sit for prolonged periods and use a computer/keyboard.
• Ability to hold IRAD Checkpoint review activities.
• Ability to follow the business process and manufacturing flows to collect data.
• Typical office environment.
• Fast-paced, result-driven environment.
• Willing and able to work extended hours when necessary.
• Travel required (20% or more).