Senior Automation Engineer
L3Harris Technologies· Defense· Oct 22, 2026 · 5d ago
Orange, Virginia, United States
In office
Full-time
Senior
$137K–$195K est.
6+ years exp
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 is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. 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: Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Engineer (Automation)
Job Code: 44931
Job Location: Orange, VA
Job Schedule: 4/10: Employees work 10 hour days, 4 days a week
Job Description:
The Advanced Operations Technology (AOT) organization is seeking an experienced Senior Specialist, Automation Manufacturing Engineer to support engineering and production operations, focusing on the automated equipment lifecycle for solid rocket motor manufacturing at our Orange, VA facility.
The selected candidate will work with the manufacturing and facility teams to develop, implement, and maintain automation solutions to improve manufacturing capability, effectiveness, and employee safety.
The AOT organization works with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities in the manufacturing process, draft technical requirements and craft solutions which align with the organization’s vision for manufacturing modernization. This requires motivated, self-starting individuals with a passion for technical creativity and the ability to work with others to achieve results. Furthermore, the Sr Specialist, Manufacturing Engineer will lead the automation solutions through project management activities, developing requirements, working with key suppliers, testing the automation, and transitioning the solution to production.
Essential Functions:
• Troubleshoot and maintain custom automation and robotics systems.
• Analyze production process and workstreams to identify areas for improvement and recommend solutions to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
• Design and implement manufacturing technology, optimizing throughput and improving operational cycle time.
• Process optimization to ensure safety, quality, and productivity.
• Partner with industrial and manufacturing engineers to develop work standards, time studies, and ergonomic analyses to support manufacturing operations.
• Monitor and report on process performance, utilizing data to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Conduct root cause analysis to identify and resolve AOT production issues, working closely with quality assurance and operations teams.
• Provide technical support for new product development, ensuring manufacturability and scalability of designs.
• Support the creation and maintenance of process documentation including process flows, and standard operating procedures.
• Participate in cross-functional teams to support new product introduction and equipment validation.
• Up to 25% business travel required.
• Ability to obtain US Secret Security Clearance.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 6 years of prior manufacturing engineering experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior manufacturing engineering experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior manufacturing engineering experience.
Preferred Additional Skills:
• Knowledge of automation systems design/sustainment involving robotic cells, custom automation solutions, vision systems, motion control or testing solutions is a plus.
• Knowledge of programming control systems: PLC, HMI’s, VFDs, etc. is a plus.
• Experience developing statements or work and functional requirements specification documents.
• Read electrical design schematics.
• Experience in integrating automation systems with business and manufacturing systems.
• Experience programming Fanuc robotics systems and simulations.
• Experience programming Allen-Bradley PLCs is a plus.
• Experience programming Inductive Automation IGNITION.
• Experience in project management.
• Experience managing automation integrators.
• Experience with parametric modeling solutions.
The salary range for this role in Virginia is $84,000. - $156,000. 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.
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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 .
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