Level 3 Communications, Inc

Program Chief Engineer - Encryption Products

Level 3 Communications, Inc$106K — $197K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related technical discipline; or equivalent experience depending on years in the field.
  • 9 years of relevant experience or 7 years with a graduate degree; or 13 years in lieu of a degree.
  • Significant experience in aerospace and defense engineering required.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary product development teams effectively.
  • Experience managing cost, schedule, and technical performance in complex development environments.
  • Experience with Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS).
  • Successful track record in developing NSA-certified encryption and cryptographic products.

Responsibilities

  • Lead engineering execution for encryption product development with a focus on technical and financial metrics.
  • Act as the primary engineering liaison to the Program Manager, coordinating with cross-functional teams.
  • Oversee integrated product development, including systems, hardware, software, and testing activities.
  • Collaborate with engineering functional managers to align staffing needs and improve team performance.
  • Update stakeholders on program progress, technical challenges, and risk management strategies.
  • Engage with senior leaders and customers to ensure alignment and program success.
  • Willingness to travel domestically up to 10% as necessary.

Benefits

  • Health and disability insurance.
  • 401(k) match program.
  • Flexible spending accounts.
  • Education assistance and parental leave.
  • Paid time off and company-paid holidays.
Full Job Description
Job Title: Lead, Program Chief Engineer, Encryption Products

Job Code: 43602

Job Location: Camden, NJ (on-site)

Job Schedule: 9-80 Regular (Employees work 9 out of every 14 days - totaling 80 hours worked - and have every other Friday off)

Job Description:

We are seeking a Program Chief Engineer to lead the engineering execution of advanced encryption products within a business focused on aerospace and defense encryption. This role is responsible for end-to-end engineering leadership, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary integration, technical execution, and cost/schedule performance across product development.

The Program Chief Engineer serves as the primary interface between the Program Manager and the multidisciplinary engineering team, partnering closely with engineering functional managers to support team performance and staffing alignment. This leader is accountable for execution of all engineering scope, ensuring technical, cost, and schedule objectives are achieved for the product.

The position requires regular engagement with engineering leadership, functional managers, program management, customers, and operations teams. The successful candidate will bring strong communication skills, sound technical judgment, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams to deliver disciplined program execution.

Essential Functions:

  • Lead engineering execution for assigned encryption product efforts, with accountability for technical, cost, and schedule performance.
  • Serve as the primary engineering interface to the Program Manager and coordinate execution across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • Drive integrated product development activities across systems, hardware, software, integration, test, and certification efforts.
  • Partner with engineering functional managers to support staffing alignment, team effectiveness, and execution of engineering scope.
  • Communicate program status, technical risks, execution issues, and mitigation plans to engineering leadership, program leadership, and other key stakeholders.
  • Ability to engage effectively with senior leaders, customers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Ability and willingness to travel up to 10%, primarily within the U.S.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain required program access following hire.


Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related technical discipline, 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.
  • Significant experience in aerospace and defense engineering.
  • Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary product development teams.
  • Demonstrated experience managing cost, schedule, and technical performance within complex development programs.
  • Experience in a management or technical leadership role with responsibility for cross-functional team execution.
  • Experience with Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS).
  • Demonstrated success leading engineering development programs for NSA-certified encryption & cryptographic products.
  • Active final U.S. DoD SECRET clearance or higher at time of hire.
  • Prior experience working in SAP, SCI, or similarly controlled environments is required


Preferred Additional Skills:

  • Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related technical discipline.
  • Advanced leadership training, executive leadership certification, or equivalent professional development.
  • Extensive aerospace and defense experience supporting products through development, certification, and transition to production.
  • Experience supporting proposal development, technical planning, and strategic investment initiatives.
  • Experience with advanced cryptographic systems and related waveform technologies.
  • Proven experience leading the engineering development of three or more successfully NSA-certified cryptographic products.
  • At least 10 years of engineering development experience with NSA-certified cryptographic products with a Bachelor's degree, or 6 years with a Master's degree.
  • Demonstrated successful experience integrating high-trust subsystems and software into U.S. DoD systems.
  • Demonstrated strong interpersonal leadership skills and the ability to build alignment across technical and business teams.
  • Demonstrated executive-level communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain team focus and execution while managing competing priorities and organizational demands.


In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role is US$106,500 MIN - US$197,500 MAX. 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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