L3Harris Huntsville Careers: 2,100+ Defense Technology Jobs
L3Harris Technologies employs 2,100+ professionals in Huntsville supporting space systems, missile defense, and advanced communications programs from their Cummings Research Park campus.
L3Harris Huntsville Overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Huntsville Employees | 2,100+ |
| Primary Location | Cummings Research Park |
| Key Customers | MDA, Space Force, Army, NASA |
| Avg. Clearance Required | 70% Secret+, 30% TS/SCI |
| 2025 Huntsville Revenue | $520M+ |
Company Background
L3Harris Technologies formed from the 2019 merger of L3 Technologies and Harris Corporation, creating the 6th largest U.S. defense contractor. The Huntsville operation combines:
- Harris heritage: Space, electronic warfare, communications
- L3 heritage: ISR systems, sensors, mission systems
Current Open Positions (January 2026)
| Role Category | Open Positions | Avg. Salary | Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems Engineering | 48 | $105,000 | 75% Secret+ |
| Software Engineering | 42 | $102,000 | 65% Secret+ |
| RF/Microwave Engineering | 25 | $108,000 | 80% Secret+ |
| Program Management | 18 | $122,000 | TS preferred |
| Electrical Engineering | 30 | $100,000 | 70% Secret+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | 22 | $96,000 | 65% Secret+ |
| Test Engineering | 20 | $92,000 | Secret required |
| Mission Operations | 15 | $88,000 | TS/SCI required |
L3Harris Huntsville Salary Ranges
| Level | Title | Salary Range | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Associate Engineer | $70,000-$85,000 | 3-6% |
| B | Engineer | $85,000-$105,000 | 5-9% |
| C | Senior Engineer | $105,000-$130,000 | 8-12% |
| D | Principal Engineer | $130,000-$160,000 | 10-16% |
| E | Engineering Fellow | $160,000-$195,000 | 14-20% |
Cleared Premium
| Clearance | Premium Over Non-Cleared |
|---|---|
| Secret | +$9,000-$13,000 |
| Top Secret | +$15,000-$22,000 |
| TS/SCI | +$22,000-$32,000 |
Major L3Harris Programs in Huntsville
Space Systems
- Satellite communications ground systems
- Space Domain Awareness sensors
- GPS next-generation systems
- Employees: 500+
Missile Defense
- THAAD radar components
- Kill vehicle sensor systems
- Discrimination algorithms
- Employees: 450+
Electronic Warfare
- Airborne EW systems
- Ground-based electronic attack
- Threat simulation systems
- Employees: 350+
Communications Systems
- Tactical radios and networking
- Satellite terminals
- Secure communications
- Employees: 400+
ISR and Sensors
- Electro-optical systems
- Infrared sensors
- Multi-INT platforms
- Employees: 400+
L3Harris Benefits Package
| Benefit | L3Harris Offering |
|---|---|
| 401(k) Match | 100% up to 6% of salary |
| Health Insurance | 4 plan options, competitive rates |
| PTO | 15-25 days based on tenure |
| Holidays | 11 paid holidays |
| Tuition Assistance | $10,000/year |
| Certification Bonuses | Up to $3,000 per cert |
| ESPP | 15% discount |
| Parental Leave | 3 weeks paid |
Unique L3Harris Benefits
- 9/80 schedule: Standard on most programs
- Flexible Fridays: Many programs allow early release
- Patent awards: $2,500-$7,500 per patent
- Innovation awards: Recognition for technical achievements
- Wellness program: Up to $600/year incentives
How to Get Hired at L3Harris Huntsville
Application Process
- Apply online at careers.l3harris.com
- Recruiter screen (1-2 weeks)
- Phone technical interview (45-60 min)
- Panel interview (virtual or on-site, 2-4 hours)
- Background/clearance processing (2-12 weeks)
- Offer extended (1-2 weeks post-interview)
Timeline Expectations
| Status | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Application to contact | 5-10 business days |
| Interview process | 2-4 weeks |
| Offer after final interview | 1-2 weeks |
| Clearance (new applicant) | 4-14 months |
| Clearance (transfer) | 2-4 weeks |
Resume Tips for L3Harris
L3Harris recruiters prioritize:
- RF/communications experience: Core competency
- Space systems background: Growing area
- Active clearance: Significant advantage
- Advanced degrees: Valued for technical roles
- DoD program experience: Directly applicable
Interview Process
| Round | Format | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Screen | Technical | 45-60 min | Skills assessment |
| Technical Panel | Deep dive | 90-120 min | Domain expertise |
| Behavioral Panel | STAR method | 45-60 min | Culture fit |
| Hiring Manager | Strategic | 30-45 min | Team alignment |
Required Skills by Program Area
Space Systems
- Orbital mechanics
- Satellite communications
- Ground system software
- Mission planning
- Space environment effects
RF/Microwave
- Antenna design
- Radar systems
- EW techniques
- Signal processing
- RF circuit design
Software Engineering
- C/C++ for embedded
- Python for algorithms
- MATLAB/Simulink
- Real-time systems
- DevSecOps
L3Harris Huntsville Culture
Employee feedback indicates:
| Factor | Rating (5-point) |
|---|---|
| Work-life balance | 3.9 |
| Compensation | 4.0 |
| Career growth | 3.7 |
| Management | 3.6 |
| Technology | 4.2 |
| Benefits | 4.0 |
Pros cited by employees:
- Cutting-edge technology work
- Strong 9/80 schedule adherence
- Good benefits package
- Space and defense variety
- Huntsville quality of life
Cons cited by employees:
- Post-merger integration ongoing
- Some bureaucratic processes
- Travel requirements on field programs
Career Paths at L3Harris
Technical Track
Associate Engineer → Engineer → Senior Engineer → Principal Engineer → Fellow → Senior Fellow
Management Track
Team Lead → Section Manager → Engineering Manager → Director → VP → SVP
Typical Progression
| Years | Technical Track | Management Track |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 | Associate/Level A | N/A |
| 3-6 | Engineer Level B | Team Lead |
| 6-10 | Senior Level C | Section Manager |
| 10-15 | Principal Level D | Director |
| 15+ | Fellow Level E | VP |
L3Harris vs. Other Huntsville Employers
| Factor | L3Harris | Northrop | Boeing | Dynetics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. Salary | $99K | $102K | $105K | $102K |
| Work-Life Balance | 3.9 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.9 |
| Technology Focus | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.3 |
| Career Growth | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 3.8 |
| Job Security | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 3.8 |
L3Harris advantage: Strong in RF/communications, space systems, good work-life balance L3Harris consideration: Post-merger integration, slightly lower salaries than some primes
Huntsville Cost of Living Benefit
L3Harris Huntsville salaries provide strong purchasing power:
| Metric | Huntsville | Melbourne, FL | Rochester, NY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. Salary | $99K | $102K | $95K |
| Cost of Living | 95 | 110 | 100 |
| Purchasing Power | High | Medium | Medium |
| Home Price | $325K | $380K | $220K |
Apply to L3Harris Huntsville
Current high-demand positions include:
- Space systems engineers
- RF/microwave engineers
- Missile defense software developers
- Satellite communications specialists
- EW systems engineers
Visit careers.l3harris.com and filter by Huntsville, AL.
Information current as of January 2026. Data from L3Harris careers site, Glassdoor, and Huntsville industry sources.
Redstone Jobs Editorial
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Helping defense industry professionals navigate security clearances, career advancement, and relocation to Huntsville, Alabama. With deep expertise in federal contracting and the cleared workforce, we provide actionable insights for your defense career journey.
